SEASON TWELVE AT FIFTY: 'THE ARK IN SPACE'

The Doctor and Sarah must fight to save the human race in The Ark in Space.

The Doctor, Harry and Sarah accidentally arrive on an artificial satellite where the survivors of Earth lie in cryogenic suspension waiting to begin a new life. But the Doctor soon discovers that there has been a sinister intrusion...

A gigantic insect has infiltrated the human ark. It is dead but it was queen of the Wirrn, sworn enemies of the Earth - and her egg sac was full. Something is terribly wrong and when the crew begins to awake it soon becomes clear that some of them are not entirely what they seem...

The Doctor must fund out how to destroy the Wirrn larvae before they absorb the last of the human race and become an invincible swarm. But this involves a desperate gamble with his own life - a gamble he must take if he is to save mankind.

Official VHS release story synopsis - 1989

The key story, alongside the later in the season Genesis of the Daleks, in which Tom Baker cemented his status as 'the Doctor' and really won over the viewers with his portrayal, The Ark in Space, tightly conceived by writer Robert Holmes deserves and delivers on its status as an all-time classic, and the story that put the Philip Hinchcliffe/Robert Holmes series format on the map. With all its production elements ramped up, and a top-tier TARDIS trio, then later on a duo, in place, the show, now clearly a different animal to the Pertwee era, was going to become more believable in its sci-fi/adventure concepts, build on its cliffhanger elements, and become even scarier, too.

The classic 'indomitable' speech by the Doctor regarding the enduring survival of the human race.

Of my personal original viewing back in 1975, my recollections are mostly from Parts One and Four: for the former, our heroes arrival on the space station, the hideous Wirrn grub bubblewrap monster, and the discovery of the hibernation capsules. Plus Noah being infected and, from the finale, the Wirrn travelling the hull of the space station. It was definitely a story that I found scary as a soon five year old. Robert Holmes would be happy with my then predicament, for sure!

Frank Bellamy's classic art launching the story in the Radio Times.

The Ark in Space ★★★★★ | Radio Times

The quiet Space Station Nerva, about to be invaded by a deadly alien species with a thirst for survival at any cost.

The Doctor explores the mysterious and seemingly empty space station.

Another classic posed publicity image.

The scary Wirrn grub is preparing to ensnare new human victims and launch a life cycle for its race.

As Sarah goes missing, The Doctor and Harry discover humanity's survivors in cryo sleep. Impressive set design from Roger Murray-Leach. 

The activated med tech supervisor Vira (Wendy Williams) confers with the mysterious strangers to whom she is at first distrustful of.

The original Wirrn invader of the station is discovered in its dead form at the end of Episode One.

Checking the Wirrn in this rehearsal shot.

The Doctor begins his plan to save humanity from being absorbed by the Wirrn.

Our heroes confront the Ark's now infected leader Noah (Kenton Moore). A rehearsal shot.

The grisly sight of the infected Noah, his humanity fighting against the all-controlling will of the Wirrn host that has infected him.

The Wirrn (Stuart Fell) examines the cryo chambers in this posed publicity image.

Noah's alien transformation continues.

The Doctor continues his fight, aided by his companions.

Confronting the now fully transformed Noah Wirrn in the solar stacks area. Can the Doctor convince it to help fight against its other kind?

The Doctor and company prepare to lure the Wirrn to the space station's escape ship, which is ultimately led by the Noah Wirrn.

Once the Wirrn are aboard and back into space, the Noah Wirrn, showing the last traces of humanity, sacrifices his life and destroys the Wirrn. 

Rehearsal image for scenes later in the story.

Tom Baker is clearly fully settled into the role of a lifetime.

The cover art, by Chris Achilleos, to Ian Marter's splendid Target adaptation.

The Australian VHS cover to the story from the late eighties.

The 1989 UK VHS release cover (revised for its later four-part version release).

Alister Pearson's reprint cover art for Target in the 90's.

UK laserdisc release art by Pete Wallbank.

American photo composite cover for its DVD release.

Australian DVD release cover.

UK DVD partwork series cover.

Lee Binding's excellent work for the special edition release of the story, which was used for the UK, US and Australia.

German DVD release cover.

The memorable cover to the UK's Figurine Collection partwork series.

Excellent horror homage fan art poster from the realms of social media.

Get hold of the BBC Audio book here:

Doctor Who and the Ark in Space: A 4th Doctor novelisation: Amazon.co.uk: Marter, Ian, Culshaw, Jon: 9781785291630: Books