Doctor Who: The Ark In Space (Story 76)

Doctor Who: The Ark In Space (Story 76)
by Rodney Bennett

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DVD Reviews of Doctor Who: The Ark In Space (Story 76)

DVD Review: Here comes Noah with a sonic screwdriver in his pocket...
Summary: 5 Stars

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.

Description of Doctor Who: The Ark In Space (Story 76)