#S2 screenshot blocking analysis

[drconstellation]

Questioning the Questioner

Blocking in Scenes in S2: No. 1

Since I'm procrastinating a bit on the meta writing for various reasons (its happening, but slowly,) why don't I throw some short pieces on S2 blocking at you. Here's a related parallel pair.

As always, we need to remember that the screen right is the morally right angelic side, and the screen left is the shady demonic side.

Here we have Aziraphale's initial questioning of Gabriel upon his arrival in the bookshop. Gabriel is on the screen right of Aziraphale, so takes the moral angel side, while Aziraphale sits on the demonic left side of the screen. Aziraphale is asking most of the questions in this scene, so it seems the right place to be. Both of them are in the light, though, there are no shadows here for these two angels.

But notice the balance of the setting - Gabriel is more towards the middle of the shot, and is placed over the centre of the rug. This turns out to be no accident, but a very particular placement.

You might be familiar with the portal under the oculus, which turns out to be part of a Solomon's Magic Circle. But there is a side part to this array, which is placed exactly where the office section of the bookshop is, which can be used to summon and control both angels and demons. It's a place where the truth is demanded. It's just a shame that Gabriel can't seem to remember the answers to the questions that need to be answered.

The second screenshot in this pair is part of the "cupperty" sequence.

In comparison to the above screenshot, we have Muriel looking at her "cupperty" while conversing with a combined Aziraphale and Crowley team in S2E3. I did a more detailed meta around the tea here, but let us just address Crowley nearly sitting in Aziraphale's lap the dynamics of the moment.

Muriel, an angel, is sitting on the screen right. They are all in heavenly white, and there is even a beam of light focused on her cupperty. They have come to ask questions to verify the 25 lazurii miracle that was performed the other night.

On the other side, the screen left, we have Aziraphale and Crowley sitting together as one. As they sit in the shadows, they act as a team, Crowley asking questions to Muriel with a teasing kind of playfulness while Aziraphale tries to coach her on - both things Crowley the demon is known to do.

And how do we know this a significant shadow? The windows are on the east side of the shop, and its morning, just before Aziraphale heads off to Edinburgh. Also we have also just seen some of the side characters conversing in the coffee shop while ordering their morning coffee.

We have the same two chairs being used as well. Muriel sits on the ladder chair this time, while the more experienced angel/demon pair occupy the more comfortable lounge chair that is still positioned on the Magic Triangle.

We even have hot beverages in play. Gabriel's hot chocolate is more about comfort, while the cups of tea are about establishing a connection to Earth.