The Ark in Space is a story that usually rates highly in Doctor Who fandom. Despite this story being known for the monster that was made out of bubble wrap. This story follows on from Tom Baker’s debut series and is written by legendary writer Robert Holmes. At this time, Tom Baker still hadn’t got a handle on the Doctor yet and there are moments in episode one where his attitude to Harry is slightly out of character for the fourth Doctor. The first episode is very good partly because it only features the three main characters. At times the episode is quite eerie because it’s not normal for their to be just three characters. When the rest of the cast join in that’s when the story really gets going. The next three episodes move along at a progressive pace as the Wirrn start to grow in numbers and take over the ark. The setting of the ark is one of my favourite settings because its isolated with no chance that anyone will be able to come in and save the day so it’s a battle of wits between the Doctor and the aliens which is when the positive points of the Doctor are shown. The story benefits not only from the setting but the minimal number of characters. Apart from the main characters, there are five members of the ark and one of those is Noah who isn’t really in it as himself for that long. This means that the supporting cast get more screen time and possibly more dialogue.
Tom Baker is on fine form in this story. It was still early days for Baker but he still does a good job as his performance is more dramatic and less comedic whereas in later series it would be the other way round. Elisabeth Sladen starts the story by stumbling into a locked airless room before ending up in one of the hibernation chambers. The Sarah Jane we get in this story seems completely different from the Sarah Jane we got during the previous series. Ian Marter suffers in this story being treated quite poorly by the Doctor in episode one and pretty much being sidelined for most of the story and the series. The supporting cast is quite good but the two main ones that stand out are Vira and Noah. Vira starts off as a quite snotty and snobbish individual but by the end of the story she has mellowed out and is quite likeable. I thought that Wendy Williams did a good job but I wasn’t totally sold on the character. Noah is the one that turns into a Wirrn. His progression towards his fate is well handled and brilliantly acted by Kenton Moore.
Cliffhangers are very good in this story. The first one especially made me jump slightly when the Wirrn falls towards the camera (and essentially to us). The second episode cliffhanger was quite good because it was the first visual sign that Noah was changing (even though his hand was changing into Bubble Wrap). The third one was also good because it saw the final change between Noah and the Wirrn and it was done very well.
There are problems with the story. The model sequences are not very good and let the story down slightly. Thankfully they are kept to a minimum but they are noticeable. Then there is the use of Bubble Wrap. In 1975, Bubble Wrap wasn’t as common as it is now but as someone who spends his working day selling Bubble Wrap in a stationery shop, its shows how silly it is even more. Piece of advice. If you want to get past the dodgy model work then turn the CGI effects on via the special features section on the DVD. They improve the story greatly. The Ark in Space is a very solid adventure which does a good job despite being completely studio bound. The Ark in Space is one of the best stories of this season but the best was yet to come.
Tom Baker is on fine form in this story. It was still early days for Baker but he still does a good job as his performance is more dramatic and less comedic whereas in later series it would be the other way round. Elisabeth Sladen starts the story by stumbling into a locked airless room before ending up in one of the hibernation chambers. The Sarah Jane we get in this story seems completely different from the Sarah Jane we got during the previous series. Ian Marter suffers in this story being treated quite poorly by the Doctor in episode one and pretty much being sidelined for most of the story and the series. The supporting cast is quite good but the two main ones that stand out are Vira and Noah. Vira starts off as a quite snotty and snobbish individual but by the end of the story she has mellowed out and is quite likeable. I thought that Wendy Williams did a good job but I wasn’t totally sold on the character. Noah is the one that turns into a Wirrn. His progression towards his fate is well handled and brilliantly acted by Kenton Moore.
Cliffhangers are very good in this story. The first one especially made me jump slightly when the Wirrn falls towards the camera (and essentially to us). The second episode cliffhanger was quite good because it was the first visual sign that Noah was changing (even though his hand was changing into Bubble Wrap). The third one was also good because it saw the final change between Noah and the Wirrn and it was done very well.
There are problems with the story. The model sequences are not very good and let the story down slightly. Thankfully they are kept to a minimum but they are noticeable. Then there is the use of Bubble Wrap. In 1975, Bubble Wrap wasn’t as common as it is now but as someone who spends his working day selling Bubble Wrap in a stationery shop, its shows how silly it is even more. Piece of advice. If you want to get past the dodgy model work then turn the CGI effects on via the special features section on the DVD. They improve the story greatly. The Ark in Space is a very solid adventure which does a good job despite being completely studio bound. The Ark in Space is one of the best stories of this season but the best was yet to come.
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