Doctor Who Analysis

Narrative
The main plot revolves around the rivalry between the Doctor and the Daleks, which features as a reoccurring theme throughout the show's history. This particular episode takes a bizarre turn on the rivalry, in that the Daleks seek the Doctor's help, instead of simply featuring as antagonists.
A key part of the plot is the concept and inclusion of time travel, and how it affects the views, opinions and overall personalities of the main characters, who are in turn changed and manipulated by the effects of time travel.

One obvious subplot is the relationship between Amy and Rory, the Doctor's companions.
As the Doctor's traveling companions, their relationship is constantly affected and changed by their various experiences with the Doctor and with time travel in general.
This particular episode puts emphasis on Rory and Amy's relationship, and it is revealed that they recently broke up, which in itself is due to their journeying with the Doctor.

Another, more episode-specific subplot is the story and plot-development of Oswyn, who at the start of the episode is seen trapped in a space ship.
Oswyn's plotline and history remains a mystery to the audience throughout most of the episode, and all the viewers know about her for a good portion of the episode is that she crashed a year ago, and that she was the entertainment manager on the ship she was on.

The episode is part of an ongoing series, which details the ongoing adventures of the Doctor, an alien who is human in appearance, and his various human companions, in this case Amy and Rory, as they travel in time and space.

Representation
The Doctor is represented for the most part as odd and eccentric, and also a bit quirky.
He is also portrayed in many episodes as a genius, and constantly shows his intelligence whenever it is needed.
The Doctor is also seen as a figure of power, as evidenced with some of the camera angles used to show him, which more often than not are low-angle shots, looking up at the Doctor as he speaks.
Amy and Rory, both of whom are vital characters, are portrayed as less intelligent characters than the Doctor, but are seen as being equally as important due to their own subplot and emotional representation and struggle throughout the episode.
Some of the speech used by Amy and Rory suggests an element of comic relief, perhaps to add a more lighthearted element to an otherwise grim episode.

The program's background music can vary greatly, in this episode the music seems to be mainly fast-paced and eerie, keeping the audience tense and excited. Tracks with a slower beat seem to be more menacing and sinister, portraying the build-up to a larger event.
Lighting is usually dark, with little or no natural light being displayed, instead relying on artificial light which adds a far more menacing look to the set.
The colour used for the lighting is normally bland, colourless light or more primary colours, such as bright red to portray danger or dark blue to match the set's dark appearance.
The set itself is made to have a look of age and abandon, as if no one has set foot there for a long time.
The set also has a gothic feel to it, in the architecture and the various discarded materials found on-set.

Mise En Scene
The setting is very dark and gritty, without much lighting or colour beyond the beige paintwork and the rusted state of the Daleks. In this state, the set conveys a sense of abandonment to the audience.

Objects and props on the set are typically sci-fi oriented, high-tech objects that portray features typical of a sci-fi program, such as flashy lights, bare wires and strange symbols.
Despite this, most objects on the set still convey a sense of abandonment, rust and decay.

Most costumes used are simple, everyday clothes that most people would wear. Some costumes have been designed specially, as is evident with the Dalek-humans on the ship and the stranded crew on the planet, though these costumes in themselves are simple feats of design.
Makeup is also simple for the most part, Amy's face is made to look paler than Rory's or the Doctor's through simple cosmetics.
The only other makeup evident is the dirt and grime that appears on the faces of the main characters as they progress through the Dalek asylum.

Lighting is for the most part dim and artificial, using beige or red lighting to signify danger and lend a visually intimidating appearance to the set.

A good portion of shots are panning shots, which follow the main characters as they move, though the episode also includes a fair amount of wide-angle static shots, when characters are conversing, or when they are in a wide, open space.
Quick cuts seem to be popular, switching quickly between shots to create suspense, tension and make the show seem more fast-paced.
Quick cuts are also used to create point-of-view shots, sometimes seen through the eyes of the Daleks, and sometimes seen from the Doctor's point of view.

Titles
The main title uses a very bold font and takes up most of the title screen. The names of the main actors appear very much the same, if slightly smaller, and usually come before the main title.
Secondary titles, including the producer and writer, come after the main title sequence, usually appearing in a smaller, less prominent font at the bottom of the screen, after the episode has actually started.

Genre
The genre is undoubtedly sci-fi.
This is evidenced clearly in the sets, which are normally outlandish and alien, the characters, with the main characters being supported by a plethora of supporting characters both alien and human, and in the show's nature of using time travel to influence it's plotline.