One could argue that that is perhaps the most controversial thing, from a Jewish and Christian perspective, that the show Doctor Who has ever done with respect to religion in its entire history.
In other episodes there have been tongue-in-cheek hints that things might have happened differently than people believe or than the Bible suggests, and suggestions that things perceived as supernatural have a scientific explanation.
But to simply and succinctly depict a future in which the Bible and its stories have been forgotten – that seems to me something far more challenging from the perspective of the traditional human religions in question. To be argued against in the future, or by a time traveler, is expected, as a variation on what one already encounters in history. But to suggest a future in which Christianity and Judaism presumably are no more, and their stories have been forgotten. is quite another matter.
What do others think? Am I right to think that this is potentially more challenging and more controversial than a direct attack on Christian claims about history, doctrine or the cosmos might be?
The story “The Ark” is an interesting one from a number of other perspectives. The story is a very cool “double story” in which the time travelers attempt to leave at the end of the second episode, and reappear 700 years later, thus witnessing the beginning and ending of the ark’s journey.
“The Ark ” is one reason why fans of the classic series are annoyed about the post-hiatus series, which features a different end to the earth.
The episode also explores an important postcolonial theme, as in the first part we learn that the humans on the ark have taken on board another race, known as monoids because of their single eye. The monoids are treated as inferior by humans and made to do menial work. In the second part, the monoids have rebelled and the situation has reversed.
When they reach their destination, the planet Refusis II, it is inhabited by invisible beings who demand that the humans and monoids make peace if they are to live there. Another appearance of seemingly godlike beings, with a scientific explanation of sorts offered. The Doctor observes that the revolt of the monoids was unsurprising given how they were treated when offered protection by humans. Now they must find a way to live together as equals. The message for the former imperial powers on Earth and their colonies seems clear. But the first part of the story may also have been intended to remind of the way colonial powers often brought with them, and encountered, new illnesses, with catastrophic effects.
The Ark is a fascinating episode for a number of reasons, and like so many early Doctor Who episodes, it had an epic story that could not be adequately depicted using the technology and special effects of the time. The episode also made clearer than ever before that the Doctor, however much he might say that he cannot or dare not change the course of history, does not fail to leave his mark on the times and places that he visits – such as when Dodo inadvertently brought potential doom to the ark, since she had a cold, and those on the ark had no resistance to such diseases any longer, since they had been wiped out long before.
A great classic story, from a number of perspectives, including for those particularly interested in the relationship between religion and science fiction.
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