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Summary

“The Ark In Space” from Classic Doctor Who’s Fourth Doctor is a perfect starting point for new viewers.
The episode features dynamic characters, suspense, and engaging sci-fi concepts despite aged effects.
Despite outdated elements, the episode showcases the Doctor’s wit, moral dilemmas, and admiration for humanity.

Navigating the classic version of “Doctor Who,” for those who’ve only joined in from 2005, might feel daunting. Airing from 1963 to 1989, this original series spans an extensive 26 seasons, features seven different Doctors, and numerous companions. Its lower production quality, playful style, and at times outdated themes may seem unfamiliar compared to the contemporary show. However, despite these differences, many fans are drawn to explore its origins and understand what has kept it thriving for over six decades.

If you’re intrigued by ‘Classic Who’ and want to dive in, the Fourth Doctor’s tale “The Ark In Space” from Season 12 is an excellent starting point. This story showcases Tom Baker, who becomes emblematic as the Doctor here. Accompanying him are characters Harry Sullivan and Sarah Jane Smith, with the latter being a familiar face in New Who and even starring in her own spinoff series. Despite some dated special effects, this episode boasts compelling characters, intriguing sci-fi themes, but most crucially, an absorbing narrative that’s sure to captivate you.

What Is “The Ark In Space” About?

Initially in this four-part series, the Doctor, Sarah, and Harry stumble upon a spacecraft where it seems nearly all power sources are deactivated. As they delve deeper, the Doctor speculates that the ship might be a sort of ark, housing several hundred humans who were put into suspended animation to help mankind survive some catastrophe on Earth, and they’ve been asleep for hundreds of years. During their exploration, they uncover hints suggesting there could be an uninvited extraterrestrial resident aboard. Harry and the Doctor come across a peculiar slime trail, leading to the remains of a bizarre insectoid creature.

As I stir from my stasis-induced slumber at the station, I find myself one of the first few awakened personnel members. The individual who greets me is Vira, a med tech with a cautious demeanor. She revives our leader, Noah, who seems more skeptical than welcoming to these sudden visitors.

Despite my concerns about these mysterious entities, I attempt to persuade Noah that there’s something amiss on our Ark. However, he remains resolute in his dismissal of my warnings. Disregarding my counsel, Noah ventures out to initiate repairs, only to be confronted by a slippery creature. Unfortunately, this encounter ends with him being attacked.

As Noah exhibits odd behavior and undergoes unusual physical transformations, it’s evident these beings pose a threat. The Doctor, Harry, and Sarah Jane find themselves tasked with understanding the mysterious alien species called the Wirrn, learning their intentions. Gradually, Vira grows to trust them, driven by her resolve to safeguard the passengers aboard the Ark. With a handful of other awakened travelers joining them, they embark on a mission to discern the nature of these creatures and protect the dwindling human race.

What Makes “The Ark In Space” Work?

Pacing & Suspense

Upon reaching the Ark, the Doctor and his group find an unsettling stillness. The air is thin until they manage to restart the systems; Sarah Jane nearly faints due to lack of oxygen. As she regains consciousness, Harry and the Doctor start investigating, only for Sarah Jane to be teleported elsewhere and inadvertently placed into a state of suspended animation. The audience is left wondering about her predicament and potential escape route. Simultaneously, the Doctor and Harry come across slimy aliens, tampered machinery, and what seems to be an unmoving Sarah Jane.

After Vira wakes up, initially reviving Sarah followed by Noah, there’s a brief sense of relief, however, this moment is soon overshadowed by Noah’s suspicions. The narrative gains momentum as events unfold rapidly: Noah gets assaulted and starts undergoing both mental and physical transformations; our heroes are persistently chased by slimy alien creatures known as Wirrn. In their quest for answers while evading the Wirrn, they create a level of tension and intrigue that is reminiscent of New Who’s signature style. The Doctor demonstrates his intellectual prowess in understanding the Wirrn’s motives and devising a strategy to vanquish them. However, he faces a time constraint, with lives hanging precariously in the balance.

Strong Characterization

Characters that are lively and engaging play a crucial role in any great tale, and “The Ark In Space” excels at this by introducing unique characters. Upon waking from her stasis, Vira is initially portrayed as aloof and detached. When she revives Sarah Jane, she informs Harry and the Doctor that Sarah’s fate – whether she lives or dies – holds no significance for her. However, as the story unfolds, we observe a transformation in Vira. As Noah succumbs to the alien influence, she mourns his loss. Yet, she also steps up and assumes a leadership role, becoming resolute in her efforts to vanquish the Wirrn.

The TARDIS crew also experiences character growth moments, one notable instance being when Sarah Jane offers to navigate a passageway to install a power cable. Despite the danger, she’s selfless and determined to help others. However, when she gets stuck, her panic momentarily overpowers her. At this point, the Doctor, from the other side of the conduit, starts teasing her. Enraged, Sarah forgets her fear and pushes through to the other side as planned by the Doctor. He knew that provoking her would be the only way to spur her into action because of their close bond. After Sarah manages to free herself and scolds him, the Doctor ends the act in a heartwarming scene, confessing: “I just wanted to see you mad.

“You’ve done marvelously, Sarah. I’m very proud of you, I really am very proud of you.”

In this storyline, even secondary characters like Noah, who initially appeared stern, get their chances to reveal depth. As he grapples with psychological trauma following the alien assault, he showcases his vulnerability, softening his initial rough edges. He confesses his affection for Vira and instills in her the determination she requires to lead. Meanwhile, Rogin and Lycett, reawakened crewmembers, initially seemed scared and disoriented. However, under Vira’s guidance and the Doctor’s leadership, they find the courage to confront their fears and ultimately prove instrumental in saving the day.

“The Ark In Space” Is Everything That Makes Doctor Who Great

It’s undeniable that some aspects of “Space Ark” may feel outdated or incongruous to contemporary viewers. For one, the so-called ‘slime monsters’ are evidently humans disguised in bubbly costumes, while the laser attacks from the crew’s weapons seem rather primitive in terms of CGI. Additionally, Harry Sullivan displays a few instances of casual sexism. However, even with these elements, there’s still plenty to appreciate for fans of modern “Doctor Who.

This episode maintains the show’s humor without undermining its serious moments. In one instance, Harry tries to disarm a laser with a throw, but instead, the laser destroys the ball. The Doctor’s casual jokes add comic relief and showcase his sharp intellect. Moreover, his strategy of motivating Sarah Jane through subtle jabs is sure to bring a smile as you realize his true intentions.

In addition to being captivating, the scientifically fictional themes are intriguing as well. The Ark serves as a platform for contemplating potential catastrophes Earth could face in the future, along with the possible responses from humanity to endure such hardships. Moreover, the Wirrn are biologically compelling; they are a space-faring species that require earthly grounds for egg laying. Their backstory and motivations bring forth ethical quandaries – a fundamental aspect of well-crafted science fiction.

Ultimately, viewers of New Who might recognize most distinctly the Doctor’s affection for humanity, a trait that has become synonymous with him throughout the years. Upon uncovering the stasis room, his initial response is one of admiration, exclaiming his amazement at humans’ ability to endure nearly anything.

Human Beings: Such an ingenious, resilient race…

They’ve endured floods, famines, and pandemics. They’ve weathered celestial conflicts and genocides, and now find themselves amidst the cosmos, poised to embark on a new journey, prepared to outlast infinity. They are unconquerable.

Fundamentally, the strength and courage he appreciates in this instance are the underlying aspects of the storyline. These topics, which Doctor Who enthusiasts have grown to cherish across both modern and classic productions, continue to shine through even in “The Ark In Space,” a 50-year-old episode, making its themes as relevant today as they were back then.

2025-05-24 18:09