Doctor Who - LIAR: Blog Task

 Language and Contexts:

1) How can we apply narrative theories to this episode of  Doctor Who? 

Todorov's Equilibrium:

Tzvetan Todorov’s theory of narrative equilibrium posits that stories move from a state of balance, through a disruption, to a new, transformed state of balance. Most Doctor Who episodes follow a 5-step version of this structure, making it highly applicable to the show’s formula

Propp's character theory: 

The Doctor is almost always the protagonist/seeker. They identify the disturbance (alien threat) and take action to restore balance, often exploring new places to find the solution.

Barthes's enigma and action codes:

In "The Robot Revolution," Barthes’s Enigma codes are established through the mystery of the star certificate and the identity of the AI Generator, while Action codes like the robotic kidnapping and the Doctor’s temporal explosion drive the plot's momentum and suspense.

Levi-Strauss's binary opposition: 

In "The Robot Revolution," Lévi-Strauss’s binary oppositions drive the narrative through the fundamental conflict of Human vs. Machine, contrasting Belinda’s struggle for individual agency against Alan’s mechanical coercive control.

2) In your opinion, what is the most important scene in the episode and why?

The most important scene is when the Doctor touches the two versions of the star certificate together, as it resolves the binary opposition between past and future while using a temporal explosion to restore equilibrium through the liberation of the planet.

3) What genre is An Unearthly Child and how can you tell? Make specific reference to aspects of the episode.

An Unearthly Child is primarily a science fiction adventure drama, identifiable through its use of high-concept technology like the TARDIS, the introduction of alien exiles living in a contemporary London junkyard, and the speculative narrative of time travel that transports the characters back to the Stone Age.

4) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical contexts of the 1960s?

An Unearthly Child reflects the social and historical context of the 1960s by mirroring Cold War anxieties through the teachers' suspicion of the "unearthly" Susan, while also showcasing the era's educational television mandates and the shifting cultural perceptions of teenagers who possessed knowledge that challenged established authority.

Representations:

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

An Unearthly Child reinforces traditional 1960s masculine stereotypes through Ian Chesterton’s role as the physically dominant, protective man of action and the Doctor’s initial portrayal as a cold, authoritative patriarch, yet it subverts these norms by presenting the Doctor as a vulnerable, frail old man who relies on his intellect rather than physical strength to navigate the Stone Age.

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

In An Unearthly Child, the narrative reinforces 1960s stereotypes through Susan’s frequent displays of emotional fragility and the "damsel in distress" trope, while subverting them by establishing Barbara as a professional, independent educator and Susan as an intellectually superior being with a perspective that transcends the limited understanding of her adult male peers.

3) How do the representations of young people and old people in An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical context of the 1960s? 

The representations of youth and the elderly in An Unearthly Child reflect the 1960s "generation gap" by depicting Susan as a symbol of the emerging, intellectually radical youth culture that challenged traditional norms, while the Doctor embodies the era's fading, rigid Victorian-style paternalism which was becoming increasingly out of touch with a modernising society.

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 1960s). Has this changed in more recent series of Doctor Who?

The lack of ethnic diversity in An Unearthly Child reflects the white-centric broadcasting standards of 1960s Britain, whereas modern series have evolved to feature a multicultural cast, including the first Black Doctor, to better represent contemporary society.

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

Social class is represented in An Unearthly Child through the professional, middle-class authority of Ian and Barbara, whose reliance on traditional 1960s education is undermined by the Doctor's superior, almost aristocratic intellectual status and Susan's advanced scientific knowledge.

Audience:

1) Who is the target audience for Doctor Who? Do you think it has changed since 1963?

Doctor Who began as a British family educational show in 1963 but has since evolved into a global sci-fi brand targeting a diverse, multi-generational audience across various digital platforms.

2) What audience pleasures are offered by Doctor Who - An Unearthly Child? Apply Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory to the episode. Make sure you provide specific examples from the episode to support your ideas.

 

Personal Identity: An Unearthly Child provides Personal Identity as viewers relate to Ian and Barbara's confusion regarding Susan’s uncanny nature.

Diversion (Escapism):Diversion is achieved through the fantastical escape from a mundane 1960s junkyard into the prehistoric Stone Age.

3) What additional Uses and Gratifications would this episode provide to a modern 2020s audience? 

A modern 2020s audience gains additional gratification through Social Interaction by discussing the show's sixty-year legacy on digital forums and through Information by using the episode as a historical window into 1960s production techniques and social values.

4) Thinking of the 3 Vs audience pleasures (Visceral, Vicarious and Voyeuristic pleasures), which of these can be applied to An Unearthly Child?

An Unearthly Child creates a sense of intrigue as viewers experience the mystery of the TARDIS through the eyes of the teachers, Ian and Barbara. The story explores the curiosity surrounding the Doctor's secretive alien origin and the unfamiliar customs of a prehistoric tribe.

5) What kind of online fan culture does Doctor Who have? Give examples.

Doctor Who maintains a highly active online fan culture that engages in intricate fan fiction on Archive of Our Own, detailed theory discussions on Reddit, and the creation of fan-made episodes and audio dramas on YouTube.

Industries:

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

In 1963, the British television industry was a duopoly consisting of only two channels, BBC TV and ITV, which operated under strict public service mandates before the launch of BBC2.

2) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the level of technology in the TV industry in 1963?

An Unearthly Child reflects 1963 technology through its use of multi-camera studio recording on 405-line black-and-white videotape, which necessitated long, theatrical takes and relied on physical models and practical lighting effects rather than sophisticated post-production.

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

Doctor Who is a vital franchise because it serves as the BBC's flagship global export, generating significant commercial revenue through international licensing while supporting the UK creative economy and acting as a central pillar of British cultural identity.

4) What other programmes/spin-offs are part of the wider Doctor Who franchise?

The wider Doctor Who franchise includes live-action spin-offs like Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures, and Class, along with the upcoming UNIT-focused series The War Between the Land and the Sea and various animated and audio expansions.

5) Why does the Doctor Who franchise have so much merchandise available? Give examples

The franchise offers extensive merchandise because its iconic, long-standing symbols like the TARDIS and Daleks appeal to a massive, multi-generational global market for items such as sonic screwdrivers, action figures, and clothing.