Eastenders: 'Explain how Billy Mitchell fits in the profile of a 'bungler' in this scene.

Billy Mitchell is represented as a bungler in 'Eastenders' due to his characteristics. He is shown at the beginning of the scene to be climbing out the bathroom window, to soon fall off the toilet seat in the process. This clumsy action on behalf of Billy links to his reputation as a bungler as, from the point of view of the audience, we laugh at him although we are aware that he is in a serious situation, trying to escape the toilet to attend his own wedding. This contrast of humour in a serious scene emphasises Billy's characteristics as a bungler.
Furthermore, Billy is trying to do the correct thing, however we see him as clumsy and weak in compairson to other characters, such as Phil. When trying to escape from the bathroom they have found themselves locked in, therefore it is down to Phil to get them out of the situation Billy has put himself in. The low camera angle when Billy is on the floor looking up at Phil when the toilet door opens connotes to the audience the lack of power and dominance Billy holds, emphasised also by the fact that he could not resolve the situation himself.

As well as this, it is clear that the other characters do not take him seriously, which influences the viewer's perceptions. When Billy is shouting at Phil, Phil says in return, "go drink a glass of water, take some deep breaths", presenting a sarcastic tone which makes us aware of how the other characters see Billy as the bungler and don't take him seriously. The treatment of other characters, paied with Billy's own portrayal of himself, flailing around trying to fight Phil, influences the audience to see Billy as the bungle that he is, as well as almost turning the scene in to "slapstick", which it should not be.

Towards the end of the extract, we see Billy jump on Phil and attempt to start a brawl, resulting on Billy on the floor. This has been represented to the audience through an upside down image from the point of view (pov shot) of Honey, his soon-to-be wife. This gives us the impression that he is clumsy as something that is supposed to be a serious event, placing a comical spin on the scene and proving that no one takes him seriously.

Therefore, it is clear that Billy portrays his role as the bungler in the popular soap opera, Eastenders, through his actions and characteristics portrayed by Billy during a serious situation. The juxtaposing of the character of Billy in the serious situation which should have gone correctly. It is clear that if Billy wasn't a bungler he wouldn't have been in the situation and would've ended up getting to his wedding on time and marrying Honey.

[Kira and Alice]