This essay discusses the British Science Fiction series "Doctor Who". It gives information about the circumstances under which this BBC series was created and which people played important roles concerning this creation. It also discusses how the concept of the series came into being and mentions the very first episode called "An Unearthly Child".
Table of Contents
1. Doctor Who – The Beginnings
Objectives and Themes
This work examines the origins and early conceptual development of the British science fiction series Doctor Who, specifically analyzing how the show was designed to compete with commercial television while effectively appealing to a multi-generational audience.
- The competitive television landscape and the BBC's strategic response.
- The influence of Sydney Newman on the genre and format of the show.
- The role of character archetypes and audience surrogates in narrative structure.
- The casting process and the deliberate construction of mysterious, multi-faceted characters.
- The transition from initial production obstacles to long-term cultural success.
Excerpt from the Book
The character of The Doctor
The character of The Doctor can be seen as the personification of the cross-generational appeal of the show. The Doctor is an “old man who has stolen the time space machine from his own people […] [, a] civilization on a faraway planet”15. His age would definitely define him as an adult, but the stealing of a machine is just one example of his often child-like behavior, which is why he could also be seen as an identification figure for children or adults who miss being a child. This undisclosed identity makes him a contradictory figure. He is the center of the show and deliberately sketched as a mysterious character with secrets, for example to make speculations possible and keep the audience in suspense and guessing, which is also a way to assure that the audience will keep watching the show. One very essential mystery of The Doctor and therefore of the show is the refusal to give him a name. This leads to a recurring question that also gave the show its title: Doctor Who?
Chapter Summary
Doctor Who – The Beginnings: This chapter details the historical context of the show's creation, focusing on the BBC's need to counteract the commercial success of ITV and the subsequent production decisions that shaped the series.
Keywords
Doctor Who, BBC, ITV, Sydney Newman, science fiction, television history, An Unearthly Child, William Hartnell, character development, time travel, audience ratings, cultural phenomenon, casting, drama, production challenges
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this work?
The work explores the early history and developmental origins of the iconic British science fiction series Doctor Who.
Which thematic areas are centrally addressed?
Central themes include the competitive television environment of the 1960s, the conceptualization of the show's format, character archetypes, and the strategies used to target diverse age groups.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The primary objective is to trace the show back to its roots and investigate how its foundational concept, including its debut episode, came into existence.
What methodology is applied in this analysis?
The paper utilizes a qualitative historical analysis, drawing upon literature and documentation regarding the production history of the BBC and the creation of Doctor Who.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body examines the BBC's scheduling needs, the recruitment of Sydney Newman, the creation of the character archetypes, the casting of William Hartnell, and the challenges faced during the filming of the first episode.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Key terms include Doctor Who, BBC, television history, science fiction, production history, and narrative development.
Why was it important for the show to feature a "kid"?
The show creators felt it necessary to include younger characters, like Susan, to provide identification figures for teenage and adolescent viewers.
How did external factors influence the show's launch?
Production was hindered by technical issues, a limited budget, and national events like the assassination of John F. Kennedy, which coincided with the show's pilot broadcast.
What role does the blue police box play in the narrative?
The police box serves as the time-traveling spaceship, providing a familiar 1960s cultural touchstone that helped the audience relate to the science-fiction content.
- Quote paper
- Silvia Schilling (Author), 2014, The Beginnings of "Doctor Who", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/320580
