Doctor Who - LIAR

 Doctor Who - LIAR:

Language and Contexts

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

Todorov's Equilibrium: This can be applied through the start when Susan attends school as normal. The teachers begin to suspect stuff and follow her home. However the disruption is when they find the TARDIS which allows them to understand how Susan is extremely smart. The new equilibrium is when the 4 characters are going to the future.  

Propp's character theory: The villain is the Doctor. The heroes are the teachers ( Ian and Barbara). The princess/ heroine would be Susan. 

          Barthes's enigma and action codes: In the episode action codes are used when they are exploring            TARDIS and how its something new. Enigma codes which are used are when Ian, Barbara, Susan            and he Doctor are in the TARDIS and going to a new place. 

Levi-Strauss's binary opposition: In the first episode, the binary opposition between human alien is seen in the teachers and Susan.

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

I think the most important scene was when they were exploring the TARDIS and what it is this is because it tells us context of what we are watching and its the start. 

3) What genre is An Unearthly Child and how can you tell? 

The genre of An Unearthly Child is sci-fi this is because of the use of spaceships and time travelling including different dimensions. 

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

Reflects 1960s social contexts, including traditional gender roles and the educational focus. 

Representations

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

Reinforced stereotypes is when the Doctor is a male character which shows more power so Ian loses control since he is a teacher with less authority. 

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

The idea of a female teacher and not being heard. The Doctor mainly talks to Ian rather than Barbara to show that men have more control and say in daily ideas. 

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

By showing Susan being so smart and intelligent, shows them trying to push the drive on education. The Doctor being seen as intelligent and knowledgeable displays the typical characteristics of elderly people.

4) What representations of race/ethnicity can be found in Doctor Who: An Earthly Child? Is this surprising or not?

In every episode the character was white which did represent white culture and there wasn't much racism toward that however slowly they began adding characters who are black which became controversial. 

5) How is social class represented in An Unearthly Child?

Access to knowledge and science is for the upper class people, and those in education are portrayed as sophisticated and well-spoken.

Audience

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

At the start the target audience was mainly towards young males who may have interests in Doctors while now its more aimed at young people who enjoy sci fi and time travel experiences.

2) What audience pleasures are offered by Doctor Who - An Unearthly Child?

Personal identity: Susan being portrayed as strange for a girl her age, may have seeked comfort in girls who felt out of place in society

Diversion (Escapism): It is a source of diversion through science and time travelling. 

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

It uses social media to promote and show the modern audience what the work is about.

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

Voyeuristic pleasure is applied through the perspective of the tardis , vicarious is shown through the excitement of time traveling.

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

Whovians who use social media and create a fan base.

Industries

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

It was much more limited compared to the modern day, previously it was only 2 programmes so it was less accessible. 

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

The level was much less advanced however it slowly developed and became interesting through the effects.

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

It was the first main programme which became an important source of awareness of the BBC and money. 

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

Other series which are available on the BBC

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

This is because it became something many people knew which meant it gained awareness.