The Ark in Space

In Robot, the production team and the audience were given a chance to get used to the new Doctor. The Ark in Space, on the other hand, is the real start of the Tom Baker era, presenting a story that would have seemed very out of place in the Pertwee era. Why this is is hard to pinpoint exactly. Perhaps is because the visceral reaction to the central antagonist (laying eggs in a human host) is not just a welcome by-product of the story, but integrated into the story as a whole. It benefits from a good script from Robert Holmes. The first episode, which features only the regulars, works very well where similar episodes have failed (such as The Wheel in Space). This is probably because the episode is also used to present Harry's first trip in the TARDIS, which results in some excellent character moments. There are also the scenes where Sarah is put into hibernation, where info-dumping is brilliantly backed with soothing but sombre chamber music. The rest of the story is plotted well with little padding and the Wirrn, on paper are a well thought-out race of monsters. A pleasant surprise is that, even though a convenient Achilles Heel for the Wirrn is discovered (electricity) the story doesn't rely on it for its resolution. The dialogue is great, with the Doctor's famous speech on the indomitability of Homo sapiens being an obvious highlight.

The sets and direction are of a very high standard. The cryogenic chamber is a fantastic design and the harsh lighting of the main sets is actually effective, as it contrasts very well with the more gloomy lighting elsewhere. However, although the model the Ark is good, if basic, the shots of it in space fail because of the floating wobbly stars. The Wirrn are also disappointingly realised- I can just about accept the man in a bubble wrap sleeping bag as the grub, but the imago Wirrn show no mobility and, most damningly, it is never shown how they actually walk.

The characterisation of the supporting roles is surprisingly lax for Holmes. The sleepers are meant to come from a highly compartmentalised society, yet this is forgotten as the story goes on. It is a real pity that Homes did not do something interesting like having the revivees be from different areas who would only have communicated through intermediaries and therefore have a massive communication problem to start with. Wendy Williams puts in a nicely ubderstated performance as Vira, but John Gregg and Richardson Morgan are flat as Lycett and Rogin. Kenton Moore is fine to start with, but is hugely overwrought when he becomes possessed.

The regulars are fantastic in this. Tom Baker plays the doctor as light-hearted, yet radiating authority. Lis Sladen works well with a rather limited role for Sarah. Ian Marter is hilarious as Harry, with his enthusiasm ('I say, what's all that for?') and clumsiness working alongside his medical expertise.

Overall, this is a flawed, but still very enjoyable and worthwhile story.

NEXT: The Sontaran Experiment