How does "Bleak House" build up tension and mystery in this extract?

"Bleak House" is an unusual period drama compared with other period dramas, as there are large variety in camera angles and shots, the composition shows depth of field linking characters to each other, and there is a sense of voyeurism throughout the episodes.

Instead of the traditional medium eye-level shots that are usually associated with a typical period dramas, "Bleak House" uses faster paced, more complex shots such as fast zooms and shots through/over objects suggesting the audience are voyeurs into the situation, for instance just after Lady Dedlock faints she walks directly past the camera out of our line of vision, which is what happens when you are watching something as not everything can be in your line of vision at the same time you have to been looking at it. The complexity of the shots gives the impression that "Bleak House" has a darker, more complex plot, compared with other period dramas, such as "Pride and Prejudice". It isn't just through the shot types and camera angles that a darker, more sinister plot is suggested; the lighting has a cold bluish hue suggesting a shadowy, dingy, unsettling atmosphere throughout the mise-en-scenes.

Instead of the character relationships being shown through introductions; characters are linked through the use of camera angles, for instance there is a fast zoom to the Lodger's face straight after a close up of Lady Dedlock, after going to the Lodger there is another shot of Lady Dedlock, this gives the impression that Lady Dedlock and the Lodger are linked in some way, however the audience at this point don't know how, this again adds to the mystery that is throughout the entirety of "Bleak House." Characters are also linked through composition, depth of field, this highlights their thoughts and actions; when Lady Dedlock is talking to the lawyer there is a close up of her face however the lawyer is in focus in the background suggesting that he is linked to what she said and what she is thinking. This relationship is also shown when Lady Dedlock faints, as though he knows something about it, because after she has fainted she walks directly past the camera and there is a slow zoom towards to the Lawyer suggesting that he is internally involved.

The high level editing is unusual as well, as normally in Period Dramas the editing is simple like the camera shots, whereas in "Bleak House" the editing is sophisticated, for instance after the quick transition from Lady Dedlock to the Lodger, there are quick cuts that are missing key action when the Lodger is sorting his stuff suggesting that he is frantic, in a hurry.