[daveyboy7472]

The Ark In Space was the very first adventure I ever watched on video back in the 90’s. It had serious impact and though repeated viewings have diminished this slightly, I still think this is a cracking good story.

The first episode where it is just the three regulars and the claustrophobic atmosphere of the Ark make for riveting viewing. Harry is at his most bumbling best , and free from his UNIT constraints, The Doctor is on top form as Tom Baker surpasses his debut and puts in a really enjoyable performance. The rapport between Sarah and Harry is also brilliant. And I just love the scene where The Doctor teases Sarah to struggle out of the airduct by using her feminism against her. Also love the way The Doctor seems so relaxed and cheerful after apparently been being possessed when he links to the Queen Wirrn's brain.

The Homo Sapiens speech is an amazing piece of dialogue and superbly delivered by Baker. This is followed by the introduction of Vira and the other members of the crew, some who don’t last very long and off course, the creepily spoken Noah, who takes very little time to get taken over by the Wirrn. Then the Wirrn themselves start to develop and take over the Ark and the tension never lets up as they hide in various places and try every trick known to them to try and complete their take-over.

It’s very seldom I mention the direction in stories but there is some really great scenes which just sum up how well it was directed. There’s this little scene in Part 3 where the voice from the past addresses the crew. There is no dialogue by the regulars or the crew during this speech and it’s fascinating to watch the crew walk about the set rather than just stand there and listen. In fact, The Doctor doesn’t speak for sometime but everything is done visually, it really was for me a great piece of TV. (Even Noah is shown listening as he struggled for control.) The end of episode 3 I could also imagine being quite scary for young kids at the time.

Off course it isn’t entirely perfect. The Green Bubblewrap used for Noah’s progression to the Wirrn is a bit obvious but somehow it doesn’t seem as bad as the dodgy CSO in Robot and a lot easier to overlook. I’ve always felt a good story could over-ride any dodgy effects anyway and this was certainly one of them IMO.

This story couldn’t have been more different from Robot. Alien possession was quite a regular theme for the next three years and I suppose you could say it laid down the template for what as to come during Hinchcliffe’s time as producer. Not my fave story of this Season but it comes very close.

[chuffnobbler]

Being a fan of C20th DW is about suspending disbelief, and I have always found that quite easy. The Noah/bubblewrap scene is very affective, once you look past the bubblewrap.

I'd also like to mention one of my all time favourite actors, and one of the very best DW guest stars, Wendy Williams. She is smashing, as Vira, easily showing Vira's journey from suspicion and disbelief (buttoned up, serious), into openness and humanity (warmth, smiles).

[Phoenix Lazarus]

This was the story that really confirmed me as a Dr Who fan.

[Larry1971]

Originally Posted by daveyboy7472

The Ark In Space was the very first adventure I ever watched on video back in the 90’s. It had serious impact and though repeated viewings have diminished this slightly, I still think this is a cracking good story.

The first episode where it is just the three regulars and the claustrophobic atmosphere of the Ark make for riveting viewing. Harry is at his most bumbling best , and free from his UNIT constraints, The Doctor is on top form as Tom Baker surpasses his debut and puts in a really enjoyable performance. The rapport between Sarah and Harry is also brilliant. And I just love the scene where The Doctor teases Sarah to struggle out of the airduct by using her feminism against her. Also love the way The Doctor seems so relaxed and cheerful after apparently been being possessed when he links to the Queen Wirrn's brain.

The Homo Sapiens speech is an amazing piece of dialogue and superbly delivered by Baker. This is followed by the introduction of Vira and the other members of the crew, some who don’t last very long and off course, the creepily spoken Noah, who takes very little time to get taken over by the Wirrn. Then the Wirrn themselves start to develop and take over the Ark and the tension never lets up as they hide in various places and try every trick known to them to try and complete their take-over.

It’s very seldom I mention the direction in stories but there is some really great scenes which just sum up how well it was directed. There’s this little scene in Part 3 where the voice from the past addresses the crew. There is no dialogue by the regulars or the crew during this speech and it’s fascinating to watch the crew walk about the set rather than just stand there and listen. In fact, The Doctor doesn’t speak for sometime but everything is done visually, it really was for me a great piece of TV. (Even Noah is shown listening as he struggled for control.) The end of episode 3 I could also imagine being quite scary for young kids at the time.

Off course it isn’t entirely perfect. The Green Bubblewrap used for Noah’s progression to the Wirrn is a bit obvious but somehow it doesn’t seem as bad as the dodgy CSO in Robot and a lot easier to overlook. I’ve always felt a good story could over-ride any dodgy effects anyway and this was certainly one of them IMO.

This story couldn’t have been more different from Robot. Alien possession was quite a regular theme for the next three years and I suppose you could say it laid down the template for what as to come during Hinchcliffe’s time as producer. Not my fave story of this Season but it comes very close.

you forgot to mention just how good the sets were for Ark in Space

I don't recall if I actually watched this on it's original transmission but the Wirran falling out of the cupboard is was on the few vague memories I have of this story as a kid. I absolutely love this story Tom, Liz and Ian are on sparkeling form in a story I simply can't find fault with.

[allen_who]

Now we are talking. Doctor Who at it's very best. This story has so many of my favourite sequences in it.

That hand covered in green bubble wrap. It strangely looks convincing.

I wish they'd do a one-off cheeky scene with bubble wrap in modern who just as a nod to the past. Anyway here's a smiley covered in green bubble wrap -->

[Phoenix Lazarus]

I found it so creepy when Noah had that larval-type jelly spreading from his hand over his body, and finally metamorphosed into a full-fledged giant insectoid. Watching it again, recently, the hand in green-tinted bubblewrap looks a bit ludicrous, as does Noah's 'agonised' bashing of it on the control panel.

[daveyboy7472]

Originally Posted by Larry1971

you forgot to mention just how good the sets were for Ark in Space

Well I can't think of everything otherwise my intro's would turn into an essay!

However, I do agree, the sets were very good and certainly give the story the right amount of claustrophobic edge.

[sovietusername]

Bloody LOVE this story, one of the 4th Doctor's best. Truly brilliant, perfect, I find the idea of the Wirrn laying eggs inside you really hideous, though thst might just be because I hate Wasps

[CoalHillJanitor]

Best use of bubble wrap in science fiction - Battlestar Galactica 1978, about 6 minutes in.

[allen_who]

Originally Posted by CoalHillJanitor

Best use of bubble wrap in science fiction - Battlestar Galactica 1978, about 6 minutes in.

What have you done!! ha ha... I had no idea you cold get battlestar galactia on DailyMotion. That's me locked in the house for the next few weeks!! awesome

I've never yet seen the episode where they find earth. Hope thats on here

[DavetheScot]

There are several stories in contention for the greatest ever, and this is one of them. It's just wonderful from beginning to end - the emptiness in the first episode, the sinister green things, the shock of the Wirrn falling from the cupboard, then Vira and Noah and the horror of seeing Noah change.

[CoalHillJanitor]

.....

[JordanDS]

One of the first DW stories I can remember watching as a kid (probably about age 6!). What stuck with me at the time was what seems like a safe, clean. modern environment being slowly infested by the 'orrible creatures - something SF doesn't do enough of, it always seems to be set in nasty, mucky environments where you would probably expect to see creepy-crawlies!

Whilst it's obvious now that the wirrn is made from bubble-wrap, I'm guessing that bubble-wrap was probably brand-new when this was made and not common so I guess it wouldn't have been obvious to original viewers - I certainly don't remember spotting it at the time (but I was only a wee sprog!)

[Phoenix Lazarus]

Originally Posted by JordanDS

Whilst it's obvious now that the wirrn is made from bubble-wrap, I'm guessing that bubble-wrap was probably brand-new when this was made and not common so I guess it wouldn't have been obvious to original viewers - I certainly don't remember spotting it at the time (but I was only a wee sprog!)

I think bubblewrap was quite common by then, 1975, as I recall I used to love popping the bubbles on it, one by one, at age six-and still do now, actually!

[doublefour]

A cracking story from start to finish. This is so tightly plotted it is the best thing Robert Holmes screenwrote for the show. Action, peril, dialogue is all superb.
The tension from the beginning is palpable, the mysterious alien crawling alon gthe floor to open up one of the cubicle's is a chilling start. Must mention all soundtrack at this point is very eerie at times, and well suited to the atmosphere and surroundings of the Ark.
The sheer idea of the Ark as a life vessel for the human race is such an interesting one. I just love it also when the Doctor discovers the history of Earth documented and preserved. Which leads me onto the Homo Spaiens sppech, wonderful, inspired piece of television, wiriting and acting. At this point it is worth remembering this is TB's second story as the Doctor. This story and this speech confirms him completely inhabiting the role already.
The scene's where he is running the cerebral cortex of the Wirrn thrrough his own is superbly done and dramatic. The whole production you feel the sense of desperation and what is one the line, and the growing threat of the Wirrn. You see what they have to do do despatch two of three of them with fission guns. So when there iis revealed to be hundreds of them, you get the scale of the impending threat.
There is two superb bits of humour, I love the first episode where Harry and the Doctor are trying to defeat the Autoguard, love the bit where the Cricket Ball gets zapped into pieces. Also, where the Doctor tricks Sarah into getting her through the vents by questioning her, her reaction when she realises she has been tricked is superb. It is also a prime example of the Doctor being the only real hop of defeating the Wirrn, he is at the hub holding it all together in terms of just survival at times.
Ark in SPace is truly superb piece of television never mind Doctor Who.

[gboy]

A good story.

There's a noticeable tonal shift from the previous story (and from the 'cosiness' of the Pertwee era in general), with a move to a more visceral type of sci-fi. 'Arc' is almost a low-budget version of 'Alien' (I've often suspected Ridley Scott was a Dr Who fan - 'Prometheus' confirmed this theory...).

Tom really establishes his Doctor here and although it's only his second story, he really seems to feel at home in the part. The whole storyline works well, and leads very neatly into the next story...

[doublefour]

Originally Posted by gboy

A good story.

There's a noticeable tonal shift from the previous story (and from the 'cosiness' of the Pertwee era in general), with a move to a more visceral type of sci-fi. 'Arc' is almost a low-budget version of 'Alien' (I've often suspected Ridley Scott was a Dr Who fan - 'Prometheus' confirmed this theory...).

Tom really establishes his Doctor here and although it's only his second story, he really seems to feel at home in the part. The whole storyline works well, and leads very neatly into the next story...

Very much so, this is adult Doctor Who, I watched this as a youngish child on video and was quite scary. Looking back as an adult, it is all grown up themes in it. Quite nice it feeds into the next story for once as well.

[Verence]

I didn't see this story when it was first broadcast but it was the first DVD (of any sort whatsoever) that I ever bought