Doctor Who: The Ark In Space

Submitted by Denise Wilson and David Lambert

On BBC Home Video’s release of “Doctor Who: The Ark In Space” there are some hidden features for you to discover.

From the disc’s Main Menu go to the “Episode Selection” submenu. There, press the arrow “Up” key on your remote control to highlight the “Doctor Who” logo at the top of the screen. If you press “Enter” now you will get to see a brief clip of Tom Baker telling everyone brush their teeth as he has to run.

Next, in the “Episode Selection” go to “Episode 4” and play that episode. When it is over, you will get to see another short clip of the good Doctor giving advice. This clip will not show unless the episode is played from the Episode Selection menu!

Another hidden feature can be found when you go to the “Special Features” menu. There, highlight the “Photo Gallery” menu entry and then press the “Left” arrow key on your remote control to highlight a Doctor Who logo on the screen. If you press “Enter” you will see an “Ark In Space” title board, complete with 30-second counter built in, leading up to the start of the first broadcast. A standard BBC lead-in to a program start in those days, preserved here for you. The chalked information on the board includes tidbits like the serial’s production number, which is 4C.