The Queen’s Gambit Scene Analysis: A Rigorous Interview

Scene Context

Beth Harmon, a recognized chess prodigy, is being interviewed by a national magazine.

Scene Conflicts

• The Reporter wants a captivating and emotional story from Beth.
• Beth doesn’t want to be made a fool.

Scene Outline

• The Reporter makes note of Beth’s gender. Beth brushes it off.

• Reporter assumes to Beth that chess is inherently competitive. Beth disagrees.
• Reporter blankly brings up that Beth is an orphan, attempts to state that chess fills a parental role in her life.
• Beth disagrees while the Reporter continues trying to suggest a story to Beth.
• Beth explains her love of chess lies in control, not in want of comfort.
• Reporter hints that Beth’s passion for chess could lead to psychosis. Alma enters and ends the interview.

Why It Works

• Baiting: Every line from the Reporter is not what she actually wants to know, but is done to provoke Beth. She goes from touchy subject to touchy subject, and the audience is simply waiting to see if she will be capable of breaking Beth. This makes Beth all the more endearing when she’s able to retain her composure throughout the insulting questions.
• Added Elements: This isn’t just any interview. This is an interview for a nationally recognized magazine. As the Reporter poses questions, Beth is forced to literally pose for the camera in front of her, adding an extra layer of conflict in the scene and making the scene significantly more engaging. Now it’s not some simple one-on-one interview, but instead is one that Beth must endure while maintaining a proud posture.

• Protagonist Resilience: This scene showcases one of the most endearing traits in Beth- she refuses to be made a fool. As the Reporter grows more and more aggravating throughout the scene with her overt projection unto Beth, it is refreshing and empowering to see Beth seemingly unaffected.
• David vs. Goliath: Another important aspect of this scene- Beth is a child. Immediately, we are sympathetic to her, and are naturally opposed to the adult Reporter. We recognize the antagonism between the two, and find it undeniably entertaining to see a child out-mature an adult, which Beth ends up doing in the scene.

Summary

By establishing a steady flow of conflict throughout the scene, writer Scott Frank masterfully keeps the audience engaged as The Reporter attempts to provoke Beth. Every second of the scene is packed with conflict that grows exceedingly personal as The Reporter gets more desperate for a story. With her increasing desperation, Beth is made all the more sympathetic for being able to show admirable restraint in such a hostile environment.