Customer Reviews

Doctor Who: The Ark In Space (Story 76)

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4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tom Baker was introduced to BBC viewers as the fourth Doctor Who on New Year's Eve 1974 with a story made under the auspices of the production team responsible for all of his predecessor's stories. The Ark in Space, broadcast in January and February 1975 was the second of his stories broadcast, the first under the production of Philip Hinchcliffe and script editor Robert Holmes, and the change in direction is apparent from the word go! A precursor to Alien by almost four years, this story deals with the Doctor and his two companions, Sarah-Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan, and their fight against an insect like parasite, the wirrn, in a battle to save humanity. Set many centuries in the future, the Earth has been damaged by solar flares and has been abandoned, with humanity cast into space in vast arks where they are in suspended animation, waiting to return to Earth. Unfortunately, the wirrn have invaded the ark, and are consuming the humans, including their leader Noah, as they take over the ship. The theme of the story, the design of the sets and the direction, make a very stark contrast to earlier Who, and vastly increased ratings followed hand in hand. Already available for many years on VHS, the story has now been remastered and some bonus features added. New model shots have been filmed using the latest technology, and added to the adventure, although the original footage is available too. The soundtrack features both Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen, the first time they've worked together on the show since 1976, and reunites them with producer Hinchcliffe. Hinchcliffe seems to do most of the talking, with Baker seemingly unable to recall a great deal about the story itself, but the warmth and friendship between the three of them is very evident, and even when they are "rambling" about the show in general, it is very entertaining. The on screen production captions are much more useful in highlighting the story's history. Also added are some test shots from unused opening credits and schematic pictures of the ark's design. This really is Doctor Who at its very best. A great story, very well acted, brilliantly designed and tensely directed. As a result it's easy to forgive the "bubble wrap" monsters! I hope Baker and Sladen reunite for future releases. Their commentary is truly entertaining, although presumably at some point they will run out of anecdotes. A great DVD release, certainly one of the best so far.

"The Ark in Space" is one of those stories I watched at age 11, only a couple of months after discovering "Doctor Who" on PBS. It instantly became one of my favorites, and remained so even after I'd seen the other 26 years' worth of stories. What makes "Ark" a great "Doctor Who" story is the list of usual suspects: small cast, claustrophobic setting, some moments of real horror (1974 special-effects style) as the Ark commander is turned into a 6-foot-tall fiberglass wasp, after becoming gradually encased in green bubble-wrap. And, of course, Tom Baker's larger-than-life performance as the Doctor.

The "Doctor Who" DVD releases have been of uniformly high quality. Each episode comes with a pop-up track of subtitled production notes, and an audio commentary by the cast and crew. The "Ark" production notes include details on the original script for the story, and memorably inform us that bubble wrap was not as common in 1974 as it is today! The commentary track is one of the better ones: Elisabeth Sladen, who played companion Sarah Jane, has terrific recall and some intriguing insights into the original production that I hadn't read or heard elsewhere. Series producer Philip Hinchcliffe supplies enough inside information into the sets, lighting, and script editing process to be informative without ever getting stuffy -- and his recall is excellent, too.

The star of the commentary track is, naturally, Tom Baker. Tom's involvement with DW since leaving the role has been infrequent and bizarre. His contribution to the track involves frightening barks of laughter at lingering shots of the male actors' physique, or double entendres in the script (intentional or otherwise). He confesses from the opening seconds that he "can't recall a single thing" about the story, and this frees him up to be the irreverent, unpredictable voice circling effortlessly around Sladen and Hinchcliffe's scholarship.

There are other extra features -- an informative, current interview with the episode designer, and a vintage, bizarre interview with Baker in costume. There are 7 minutes of original (silent) model test footage. Help yourself. I fast-forwarded through this after my resolve was defeated somewhere around Minute Three. The 3D Ark schematic is brief, and thus cute. The redone CGI effects work better than you might expect when viewed as part of the story via seamless branching, and of course you can always turn it off. The "unused title sequence" has some interesting outtakes, but the final 30 seconds are, in fact, the used title sequence. The photo gallery is a must-skip. There's a strange "TARDIS-cam" view which appears to be a new creation; this is atmospheric, if pointless.

There are reportedly three hidden easter eggs, of which I've only found one. Again, it's Tom Baker, in costume, being bizarre. I can't wait to find the other two.

A great segment from TV's longest running sci-fi series. Due to lack of budget these episodes of Tom Baker's second story have the typical cheesy effects and limited set designs, however the tight script and fascinating premise will keep any true sci-fi fan riveted. Note how this 1974 TV show had similar aspects to 1979's ALIEN movie by Ridley Scott (Insects in space that germinate in the human form aboard a craft of cryogenic sleepers resulting in the aliens being destroyed aboard an escape craft). Coincidence? Anyway you slice it, the gorey deaths, cool rubbery aliens, cliff hangers, snazzy dialogue and glimpses of future cultures keep the eyes watching and the mind whirling. This is a must for any Doctor Who fan's collection.

"Homo sapiens. What an inventive, invincible species. It's only a few million years since they crawled up out of the mud and learned to walk. Puny, defenseless bipeds. They've survived flood, famine, and plague. They've survived cosmic wars and holocausts. And now, here they are, out among the stars, waiting to begin a new life. Ready to outsit eternity. They're indomitable." So says the Doctor when he notices the rows of humans in suspended animation aboard the title vehicle, an example of the normal Positivist stance sci-fi takes.

The Doctor, Sarah, and Harry land on Space Station Nerva, which houses hundreds of humans in suspended animation. Apparently, solar flares caused millions of Earth people to hide underground while a percentage of them was sent to Nerva, wake up after a few thousand years after the Earth cooled off, and resettle it.

Trouble is, the humans overslept by a couple thousand years, and during that time, they had a visitor, which Harry discovers--a green giant locust-like alien. The crucial members of the crew, Vira, first medtech, and Noah, the ark's Prime Unit, are awoken, and prepare to resucitate the others.

Noah is then attacked by an alien, and before long, his body begins to metamorphose into that of a Wirrn. His transformation is mental as well as physical, yet he constantly struggles to maintain his humanity as he's gradually absorbed into the Wirrn hivemind.

The concept of aliens using men for endoparasitism predates Alien by a good five years. And look at the title of the story and at Noah's name. The biblical connotations are obvious, as the mission is to repopulate an Earth destroyed by a catastrophe. The difference is, Biblical Noah will live in a world where man and beast live in harmony, but in this story, humans are in danger of "symbiotic atavism", of an Earth ruled by aliens.

But the Wirrn and the humans on the Ark have a commonality. The Wirrn are a collective hivemind, while the Ark survivors have a humorless, strictly hierarchical, coldly scientific, compared to the more warmer and less technical Doctor, Harry, and Sarah. Indeed, when Vira coldly asks the Doctor and Harry if Sarah's of value, Harry incredulously says, "Of value? She's a human being like ourselves! What kind of question is that?" Vira then tells the Doctor that Harry's a Romantic, to which the Doctor says, "Perhaps we both are." This denotes the crossing out of the cerebral Positivism with a more warm-hearted Romanticism.

As a cost-cutting measure, the sets for Nerva were reused in Revenge Of The Cybermen, which was the next story shot after this, but aired as the last story of the season. Trivia: the music played to Sarah in Episode 1 is taken from Georg Handel's Largo. And why Episode 2 was the highest charting story, #5 and netting 13.6 million viewers on first airing, is anybody's guess, as I've seen better episodes.

As for the effects, the Ark model and interior are realized great, especially the cathedral-like cryogenics chamber, but the Wirrn larvae are wrapped in both sizes of bubble wrap sprayed green.

This story clearly puts human beings in a good light, and sees great potential for them. As the message by the long-dead Earth Minister says, "You are the chosen survivors. You have been entrusted with a sacred duty, to see that human knowledge, human culture, human love and faith shall never perish from the universe. Guard what we have given you with all your strength."

"The Ark in Space" is one of those titles DVD-enthusiastic fans saw coming a long, long way away. It was one of the first videos, one of only a handful of stories released on laserdisc, and maintains a consistent popularity that regularly puts it at the top of the list when people think of "great Tom Baker stories", or even great Doctor Who in general. I know several fans - myself included - who had actively expected either "Ark" or "Pyramids of Mars" to start off the post-"Five Doctors" range of DVDs, and were disappointed by the choice of "The Robots of Death"; I'm happy to say, however, that it was well worth the wait.

I was quite taken aback by the video element of "The Ark in Space". Although the actual quality is probably no better than that of "Robots", there is no irritating jitter to one side of the screen, and the colors seem - well, more vibrant, somehow. I was quite taken aback by the video element of "The Ark in Space". Although the actual quality is probably no better than that of "Robots", there is no irritating jitter to one side of the screen, and the colors seem - well, more vibrant, somehow. This is something I clearly noticed on all the previous releases except "Robots", so I am definitely happy to report that the Tom Baker stories have just as good a chance as any to look alive and fresh on DVD.

Most publicized amongst the extra features are the new CGI model effects. You have the menu option to either watch the story with the original model effects from 1975, or see the new ones integrated throughout. Personally, I would go for the former option Here's what bothered me about the new CGI: while the medium and long shots of Nerva Beacon are undeniably gorgeous and very atmospheric, any time the Ark passes directly in front of the camera - the two prime examples are in Part 1 - my disbelief was instantly shattered. It is clearly a computer-generated model, and looks very fake that close to the viewer, without any shadows to hide it. While the original 1975 model shots are hokey, and a touch embarrassing, I am at least used to them - so I'll continue watching the story that way.

The DVD also contains a number of other extras, ranging from the excellent - a 1975 interview with Tom Baker, a 2001 interview with designer Roger Murray-Leach, and an brilliant production trivia subtitle track, to the ridiculous - a new CGI "space station schematic feature", and the mind-numbing Howard Da Silva PBS voiceovers. Most of the extras, including a commentary with Tom Baker, Lis Sladen and producer Philip Hinchcliffe, a reconstructed trailer, cast biographies and a photo gallery, fall somewhere in the middle - worth watching once, anyway.

For all my criticisms, "The Ark in Space" is a must-have Doctor Who DVD. Sure, several of the extras are lightweight, but what good ones there are prove very, very good, and the story is of a very high caliber to begin with. Plus, who knows, maybe you'll like those CGI effects more than I did!

Disclaimer: There is not a single Tom Baker story I don't like from the first season, so please take this review with a grain of salt (i.e., don't slam me just because I am one of the few people who still, to this day, enjoy watching Revenge of the Cybermen).

Ark in Space is one of the early Baker classics which, in my humble opinion, truly epitomizes why Tom Baker was, and continues to be, the most popular incarnation of the Doctor (please note that I didn't say he was the BEST; we all know that every incarnation was wonderful in his own special way). The interaction between Liz Sladen and Ian Marter was great. Here, the companions compliment the Doctor and are not mere appendages that clutter the plot. I particularly liked the development of the plot - cold, pure, survival (humans vs. the wiirn - winner takes all). Baker's famous speech about the strength and determination of the human race, by itself, makes the Ark in Space worth your time. The sets were well done. The BBC special effects department toned down the cheesy FX thereby making this a presentable episode from a technical perspective. But we all know it's the story that makes Dr. Who so good. I highly recommend it and hope you enjoy it as much as I did when I first saw it.

Tom Baker's second story as the fourth Doctor is a jouney into space in the distant future. The story marks a return to the Doctor of old, careering around the universe as in the pre Pertween days. It also marks the start of the establishment of the character of the new Doctor now that a little distance has passed between him and the Mark 3 verison.

The plot concerns an apparently deserted space station which contain cryogenically frozen humans in a suspended animation which has lated tens of thousands of years. There is significant evidence that there is something else being there too eventually being identified as the Wirrin who intende to consume the frozen humans and colonise the earth.

While the plot is certainly interesting, it does seem to me that it is not the crucial aspect to this adventure. It seems to be more setting the scene from which the new Doctor can emerge. The thrust of the story is to establish Tom Baker as the Doctor. In many people's eyes he was to become The Doctor, but that was to be much later.

This Doctor appears younger, relatively than any of his forebears. His dress, although not the more formal dree or morning coat of the first two was not so dandyish as th the third. His clothing too, with more browns and muted colours indicated a warmer, touchier almost fuzzier type of person than the others. Although he certainly had a more serious side, he did not have the sense of gravitas that the earlier Doctors clearly had. His physical appearance, particularly his height, was more powerful but the respect from others more often than not had to be earned.

Throughout this adventure the Doctor was seen to be distracted by novel and interesting things and developments which stimulated his intellectual curiosity while at the same time causing him to lose sight of events closer to home. Yet at the same time his apparent lack of interest in events could often be mistaken for lack of concern when in reality he chose to think while apparently resting. His quick wit and sudden changes epitomised his flamboyant nature and mercurial mind.

This character was thrown into sharp relief especially during this adventure with the comparison made with the latest companion, Harry. His military training and medical mind contrast sharply with the Doctor heightening the perception of intelectual prowess. Thes use of the companions as a contrasting device is also useful at exploring the softer, one could almost say human, aspect of the Doctor's character. With Sarah Jane the Doctor is seen as a much more understanding and compassionate person than in previous incarnations. In a sense this increases the perception of his own humanity, a feature which is further exposed in the later dealings with the Gallifreyians.

All in all a great fourt Doctor adventure and one well worth having.

This new DVD version of the four episode adventure is a joy to own. As well as commentaries from Tom baker himself there are those from Elisabeth Sladen and Philip Hinchcliffe and all sorts of other extras. The picture and sound are much clener, clearer and crisper which adds to the overall effect.

A very good choice for the DVD treatment although it would not have been near the top of my list. Two thumbs up.

The Ark in Space begins with the TARDIS materializing aboard Nerva, a space station built during the 30th century. The Doctor (Tom Baker), along with his companions Sarah Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan (Ian Marter) find the last survivors of the human race resting in suspended animation. The earth has been devastated by solar flares, and the surviving humans have gone into stasis until the planet is safe and habitable once again. The story becomes a predecessor to Alien, as the Wirrn emerge. The Wirrn are an insect-like collective, threatening to devour and destroy the human survivors. The Ark in Space is classic Doctor Who, and very good science fiction to boot, written by the late Robert Holmes who was the most prolific and, perhaps, the greatest writer in DW history. This DVD has some great bonus features, including an interesting commentary track with Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen and Philip Hinchcliffe, who was the show's producer during Baker's first three seasons as the Doctor. Another great feature allows the viewer to watch the program with the original effects with models dangling on strings against a space backdrop, or with new CGI effects. The Ark in Space is one of my favorite stories from my favorite era of the Doctor Who classic series.

Ark in Space, was one of the many Dr. Who Stories I had on VHS, recorded many years ago staying up late Saturday night on PBS. Having a fresh crisp DVD version of this story has been refreshing. In fact, that the whole series is being restored and released on DVD is a godsend. This episode is Tom Baker's first as a newly regenerated Doctor out in space and time operating without the safety net of U.N.I.T. with his companions in tow. The line-up of the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry has always been my favorite line-up. Harry Sullivan in particular is a favorite companion of mine and I always wished he (Ian Marter) stayed on for more stories. The story is first rate Science Fiction. In fact the basic storyline has been used again and again in big budget Sci-Fi blockbusters still to this day. The acting was even above par in this episode which allowed you to suspend disbelief of the cheezy "aliens of the week", i.e., the Wirren. This was the case of most of the Tom Baker Stories, with possible exception would be his last two seasons when The BBC started to slowly and methodically destroy the show. Overall when introducing someone to Doctor Who, this is a good episode to start with.

1974's Season 12 saw the introduction of a new Doctor in the form of Tom Baker and while the first story "Robot" had the public wondering what had happened to Jon Pertwee, the second story "The Ark in Space" made them quickly forget him.

The Doctor decides to take UNIT's chief surgeon, Lt Harry Sullivan (Ian Marter), on a quick trip in the TARDIS to prove to him that really was a space/time machine. When Harry and Sarah (Elizabeth Sladen) emerge with the Doctor they discover themselves on space station in the far future. The Doctor finds a damaged console and attempts to repair it to activate the station's life support system but accidentally engages the intruder defense system. While the Doctor and Harry dodge energy blasts in the control room, a dazed Sarah is teleported to another part of the ship where she is placed into cryogenic suspension. With the defense system deactivated, Harry and the Doctor set off to look for Sarah. They eventually come across a stasis chamber full of preserved humans awaiting revival. They locate Sarah's capsule and attempt to revive her. Meanwhile the Doctor finds the mummified body of a giant wasp-like insect which appears to have damaged the space station's clock preventing the human from awakening. With his repairs complete, the humans start to revive and the first one to emerge is Vira, the first Medtech, who is disgusted to find what she regards as primitive savages onboard her ship, is confused by the presence of the dead insect and then horrified to find that one of the capsules is missing its occupant and that the remains of an alien membrane are attached to the inside of the shell. The Doctor deduces that the dead alien had laid eggs in the missing crewman which had hatched, devoured him and was now infesting the station's solar stacks. In order to slow their development the Doctor heads off to shut down the stacks while more human are revived. Sarah is reanimated along with two technicians and their leader, Noah. Noah doesn't trust the strangers and follows the Doctor, preventing him from shutting off the power, but becoming infected by the Wirrn larvae. The alien cells start to mutate Noah into an adult Wirrn and cause him to kill one of the revived Techs. Other Wirrn start to emerge from their cocoons in the power room and the alien Noah demands the remaining human bodies in stasis be left as hosts for more Wirrn eggs...

Once again the BBC has done a wonderful job of remastering the prints onto DVD. The story line is excellent and is somehow similar to Alien and you can't help but wonder if this might have made a good adult horror movie on the big screen if it had a bigger budget. There is also the option to replace the laughable original model shots of the space station and the shuttle with new CGI effects in order to "upgrade" the show for a more modern audience that are not used to cardboard spaceships suspended from fishing lines. A classic story with some excellent acting that will give you 90 minutes of pure viewing pleasure. The commentary with Tom Baker, Elizabeth Sladen and Phillip Hinchcliffe provide a funny and interesting guide to the making of this fan-favourite romp!