Blue Heelers and Boston Public are both dramas that present the viewers with certain images. These images are off different people and placed, and are created though a number of methods. These can include in-show techniques like characterisations, right through to more technical methods, like camera angles and the selection of issues. However, sometimes these methods are too old or obvious, and can ruin the sincerity of the drama.
Blue Heelers creates and image of a small, Australian, country town. It does this quite a bit in the opening credits, using music, and camera shots to full effect. The music accompanying the opening credits is fast paced country, which is often associated with 'the bush'. The selection of shots is very important too; we see country landscapes, small towns, inside the pub, and even a dog on a ute. These scenes are uniquely Australian. In show, the image is created even more. Everyone we meet seems to know at least one or two of the police officers, plus a bunch of 'locals'. The station itself is very casual, with the officers sitting around drinking cups of coffee, as opposed to their busy city counterparts, in shows such as Water Rats. At the end of the show, the characters all meet in the pub, mingling with the locals.
This image is not necessarily a true representation of small country towns in Australia. However, with most of Blue Heelers' audience living in metropolitan areas, it is taken as true. The majority of people believe these images true in real life, and expect the atmosphere to be the same as it is in Blue Heelers. But although it sometimes might, most of the time it isn't. An unfair representation had been created. .
The hard core detective is another image created in Blue Heelers. This image is a stereotype police officer, and is usually the one to solve the case. The hard core detective is ruthless, focussed, determined, intuitive, and values justice above all else.
