Doctor Who: Language and Representation blog tasks

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1) Write a summary of the notes from our in-class analysis of the episode. 

 For camera work and sound the music is the theme tune to Doctor Who. it is very science-fiction ,which sets the genre from the beginning.In terms of mise-en-scene ,Susan Foreman is introduced as a typical 1960s teenager,she seems to be both alien and human at the same time ,she has an aura about her that seems to be slightly eccentric .

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

Todorov's Equilibrium:

  •  They begin with equilibrium, where everything is balanced,this is the beginning of the episode where we see Susan foreman as a regular girl attending her school.This progresses as something comes along to disrupt that equilibrium,when the teachers ,Ian and Barbara, start to act upon there suspicions of Susan's personal life and finally reach a resolution, when a new equilibrium is restored.

Propp's character theory:

  • In this episode in think the doctor is presented as the villain , Susan as the princess and the teachers as the hero and heroine .

Roland Barthes: Enigma and Action Codes

-Enigma codes: mystery of Susan’s home. French Revolution book - “I’ll have finished it” “That’s not right”suggests time travel.

-Enigma code - Police Box / TARDIS. “It’s alive!” 

-Action code - some kind of conflict/threat linked to TARDIS.

Levi-Strauss's binary opposition:

  • Lighting - TARDIS is bright white (sci-fi connotation). Also contrasts with shadows outside (binary opposition). 


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

  • I think the most important scene is when the teachers enter the TARDIS and try to convince Susan to leave with them.In this scene we see the teachers almost gaslight Susan into thinking that she is crazy and delusional by "Playing this game " with her grandfather.

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

  • I think that the genre of the episode is science fiction because of the soundtrack is very eerie and almost alien . You can tell that there is a scientific meaning behind things.

5) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical contexts of the 1960s?
  • An Unearthly Child reflects social contexts of the 1960's through the relationship between Susan and her teachers this is shown when they offer to tutor Susan at her house. The Historical context is shown through how Susan listens to music through a caste player whereas now we use our mobile devices and the cars in the episode. 

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

  • Stereotypes that men are in charge are reinforced when Ian and Barbara enter the TARDIS and the doctor speaks directly to Ian as if he is more capable of understanding.

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

  • A stereotype of woman being reinforced is that woman are overly emotional this is shown at Susan's over reactions and outbursts.A stereotype of woman being subverted is them being sidekicks or "cheerleaders" this is shown by Barbara asking Ian for help making Ian the sidekick.
3) How do the representations of young people and old people in An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical context of the 1960s? 

  • One stereotype of old people being reinforced is them being angry,miserable and grumpy all the time this is shown when we meet The doctor who is introduced as grumpy and spiteful.Another stereotype being reinforced is that teenagers dating this is shown when Ian and Barbara are seen in the car at the dump where they suggest that it would be normal for Susan to be meeting a boy.

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 representations of ethnicity in the episode is that white people are the dominate race this is shown by there being a white cast and that there was no there race in the episode this is not surprising because the Human Rights act was only passed down in the UK in the year 1998.


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