This scene extracted from 'The Artist' features all three stages of Todorov's proposed theory of narrative equilibrium. In terms of the character by the name - George Valentin, there is an existing state of some stability as the scene exposes the character simply sat at a desk, which continues until many enigma codes are featured to create mystery of the upcoming narrative as suggested by Barthes. The scene implements shots of the lady (Peppy Miller) calling for a driver hurriedly which makes the audience question her destination as well as her purpose for haste. In this particular scene, the lady is our 'hero', George is quite ironically 'the princess' *pause for laughter/outrage/speculation* and the man's best friend (the dog) fits into Propp's character type of 'the helper'. The scene progresses to exhibit action codes such as the unveiling of a gun which suggests a killing is about to occur, which also serves as the disequilibrium as our tragic character is feeling suicidal. This continues until Peppy heroically arrives at the setting to resolve the conflict and preventing George from committing suicide, hence establishing a new equilibrium.
The embedded scene from 'Boardwalk Empire' demonstrates many of Barthes' proposed enigma codes such as at the equilibrium stage of the scene, the phone-call creates mystery regarding who has said what to make a significant contribution to the upcoming events of the narrative. The 'hero' of this story is Nucky Thompson with whom we side against the absurd and slightly suspicious character of Roland Smith, who we may see to be the 'villain', as well as Owen who is seen as 'the helper'. Disequilibrium is created as soon as Roland's obnoxious character is identified by Nucky at which point he offers him a cigarette - a common (possibly coincidental) symbol meaning a character's time is up - the action code leads to a sequence of action codes such as Nucky's turning around as well as the reveal of a handgun. A new equilibrium is reestablished after Roland's death as the tension subsides.
3. Other - A scene from 'Bruce Almighty'
A comedic scene from 'Bruce Almighty' stars Jim Carrey as the protagonist we side with, and the character Evan Baxter as the villain who feels the wrath of Carrey's revenge which we do not hold sympathy for. The enigma codes of the scene include Carrey's peek through the blinds as well as his approach to the news report studio, after which he performs an air keyboard gesture as an action code to forebode the arriving comedic effect. The disequilibrium continues until the end of the scene as the protagonist's (not exactly morally correct) intentions of making Baxter's job difficult succeeds throughout.
3. Other - A scene from 'Bruce Almighty'
A comedic scene from 'Bruce Almighty' stars Jim Carrey as the protagonist we side with, and the character Evan Baxter as the villain who feels the wrath of Carrey's revenge which we do not hold sympathy for. The enigma codes of the scene include Carrey's peek through the blinds as well as his approach to the news report studio, after which he performs an air keyboard gesture as an action code to forebode the arriving comedic effect. The disequilibrium continues until the end of the scene as the protagonist's (not exactly morally correct) intentions of making Baxter's job difficult succeeds throughout.
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