Doctor Who:An Unearthly Child CSP

1) Write an NCIS analysis for the episode - using notes from the screening in class. Make specific, detailed reference to moments in the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

An Unearthly Child

Narrative:

Starts in a conventional school setting. Ian and Barbara are discussing a ‘strange’ student: Susan. They can’t figure out where she lives so they follow her on her way home. They come to a junkyard and meet the doctor. He’s very stubborn and won’t allow them into the police box although the teachers can hear her voice. They enter anyway and the doctor refuses to let them stay on earth, taking them to the stone age after much arguing and pleading from Susan. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as a strange figure appears in the bottom corner of the screen.

Character:

Susan-subverts the stereotype of girls in the 1960’s as submissive and weak:heroine  

Doctor-potential false hero, no sympathy, stereotypical “grumpy old man”

Barbara-Conventional fearful woman, caring, scared and confused

Ian- Stubborn, Annoyed, Very logical and doesn’t panic                                                           

Iconography:

The TARDIS has very bright white lights, smoke and alarms.

Title sequence has very strong science connotations due to the unusual music and editing

The TARDIS also makes an appearance in the opening scene, drawing our attention to it.

Setting:

Set in a conventional school. Moves to a junkyard with connotations of danger and mystery. Moves to the inside of the TARDIS which is very heavily influenced by the science fiction genre. Ends in a mysterious desert with a strange figure appearing. 

2) How does Todorov's theory of equilibrium apply to An Unearthly Child? Try and use the expanded version of Todorov's theory: Equilibrium - Disruption - Recognition - Reparation - New equilibrium.

Equilibrium: Ian and Barbara are discussing Susan and the mystery surrounding her address.

Disruption: They decide to follow her home and arrive at a junkyard

Recognition: They meet the doctor and he’s acting very suspicious about Susan’s whereabouts

Reparation: They barge into the TARDIS and find Susan who begins talking of time travel and other dimensions.

New equilibrium: The Doctor takes them all away in the TARDIS to a new time.

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do each of the main characters in An Unearthly Child fit into? Alternatively, you may wish to discuss how characters do not fit Propp's character types.

Susan: fits into the role of heroine as she tries to save her teachers from the doctor. Ian fits the role of hero as he tries attempting to save Susan; he also fits the role of princess as he requires help. Barbara fits the role of princess as she is very confused, scared and in danger. The doctor seems to be the villain as he has a very mean attitude and he kidnaps the teachers.

4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in An Unearthly Child? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

Inside the TARDIS, there is a subtle humming to suggest machines are working, it isn't a regular police box.

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in An Unearthly Child? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience?

Light vs Dark (TARDIS vs Junkyard)

Old vs Young (Susan vs Doctor)

Hero vs Villain (Ian vs Doctor)

Representations

     1) What stereotypes of men are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?

Stereotypes of men are reinforced as both men are shown to have a certain level of control and they have rigid demeanours: very little emotion.

      2) What stereotypes of women/girls are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?

Stereotypes of women are reinforced as they both appear quite frantic and worried about the situation. However, the stereotype is subverted as Susan seems quite intelligent and ready to save her teachers.

      3) What are common media stereotypes of young people and old people? Do any of the characters or scenarios reinforce or subvert these conventional stereotypes (consider this was 1963)? Has this changed in more recent series of Doctor Who?

The stereotype of young people are that they are quite careless and lazy-Susan subverts this as she is portrayed as a studious young girl who’s responsible and enjoys going to school. The stereotype of old people is that they can be grumpy and not tolerant. This is reinforced as the doctor has a very bitter and miserable persona.

      4)What representations of race/ethnicity can be found in Doctor Who: An Earthly Child? Is this surprising or not? Give reasons for your answer and consider historical / cultural context (the 1960's). Has this changed in more recent series of Doctor Who?

There is no racial or ethnic representation in Doctor Who as during the 1960’s, Britain wasn’t racially diverse and there were practically no BAME actors on television. 

      5) How is social class represented in An Unearthly Child? Think about how education and knowledge is presented in the episode.

We presume they are middle class as the two teachers seems knowledgeable and well educated. Barbara, as well, seems very well educated as she is very intelligent. They also speak in a ‘posh’ manner with clear pronunciation and no slang (dismisses the idea of lower classes-too professional)

Audience

      1) Who is the target audience for Doctor Who? Has it changed since 1963?

It has changed a lot as in 1963, the demographic would’ve been a lot larger(whole families) due to limited channels however it may have only been targeted at males due to the old stereotype of science appealing more to males. The target audience for Doctor Who is generally from 20’s-45’s and an even mix between males and females. The recent reboot of Doctor Who has helped the show gain a new, younger audience. 

      2) What audience psychographic groups might particularly enjoy Doctor Who?

Mainstream groups would enjoy Doctor Who as it appeals to a large number of people and is well established in modern day pop culture.

Industries

      1) What was the television industry like in 1963? How many channels were there?

There was only three channels: BBC 1, BBC 2, ITV meaning there was less competition and larger audiences.

      2) Why is Doctor Who such an important franchise for the BBC?

It’s important as it’s the longest running science fiction show and shown in several other countries, bringing in a huge amount of revenue for the BBC.

      3)How does Doctor Who meet the BBC's mission statement to 'inform, educate and entertain'?

It has a lot of science information and provides action, drama and suspense for audiences.

      4) How is the BBC funded?

The BBC is funded through TV licenses and shows no adverts.

      5) Who regulates the BBC and what is the watershed?

The BBC is regulated by OfCOM  (OfCOM oversees all media channels and produces a code of conduct that all media channels must follow or have their licence to make content removed and/or be fined heavily)  and the watershed is at 9 pm and it states shows of a high rating are only to be shown after 9 pm.

Grade 8/9 extension tasks and reading

Read this Media Magazine article tracing the cultural impact of Doctor Who. What does it suggest regarding the importance of Doctor Who, representations and industry?
It suggests that Doctor Who is clearly attempting to show the multicultural diversity of London and the show explores not only the cultural divide but the class divide. The multiracial backgrounds of teh different characters allow the show to expose the range of race, culture and class in BritainRead this Guardian feature on female characters in Doctor Who. What does it suggest regarding the representation of women over time in Doctor Who?
Although the women played pivotal roles, historically in Doctor Who, they have often been roles that have revolved around a male lead. Despite this, in earlier seasons, there was never any sort of romantic relationship.Read this New Statesman feature on Doctor Who as a global phenomenon. What does it suggest about Doctor Who fandom, British identity and the importance of the brand to the BBC?
The Doctor Who fandom is incredibly committed, making costumes etc... Moreover, Doctor is recognised as a British cultural institution and is the biggest global export of the BBC.Read this Guardian feature on the representations of race and ethnicity in Doctor Who over the last 55 years. How has the programme changed in its representations of race and how does this fit the BBC's remit to inform, educate and entertain? 

The show has made a conscious effort to include different races and has chosen to portray different racial and cultural events such as the 1947 partition and the Rosa Parks incident (informing the viewer) and provides entertainment through the dramatic science fiction scenes.