The Fires of Pompeii (2 May 2008)

The Doctor and Donna visit Pompeii in AD 79, on the eve of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Director:

Colin Teague

Writer:

James Moran

Stars:

David Tennant, Catherine Tate, Phil Cornwell

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
David Tennant	...	The Doctor
Catherine Tate	...	Donna Noble
Phil Cornwell	...	Stallholder
Karen Gillan	...	Soothsayer
Sasha Behar	...	Spurrina
Lorraine Burroughs	...	Thalina
Peter Capaldi	...	Caecilius
Tracey Childs	...	Metella
Francesca Fowler	...	Evelina
François Pandolfo	...	Quintus (as Francois Pandolfo)
Victoria Wicks	...	High Priestess
Gerard Bell	...	Major Domo
Philip Davis	...	Lucius (as Phil Davis)

Storyline

The Doctor and Donna land in the marketplace in Pompeii in 79 A.D., the day before the big eruption and the destruction of the city. The Doctor's destination was actually Rome but he soon realizes his mistake...but not before a market vendor sells the TARDIS to a local businessman, a seller of marble whose daughter may be able to predict the future. Donna sees an opportunity to warn everyone and evacuate the city but the Doctor flatly refuses. When the Doctor learns that those with the ability to see future are slowly turning to stone, he quickly comes to the conclusion that alien beings are operating inside the volcano - and that he has a far greater decision to make than that put to him by Donna.

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Plot Keywords:

pompeii | volcano eruption | water pistol | volcano

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Sci-Fi

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Details

Release Date:

2 May 2008 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Wales

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min 45 min (50 episodes)

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Doctor tells Donna he had been to Rome once before, and that he "had nothing to do with that fire." This is a reference to the fact that the first Doctor (William Hartnell) visited Rome in the original series of Doctor Who, in the 4-part serial "The Romans" (1965). Although the Doctor did not directly start the fire, he did hold a map a bit too close to an open flame, giving Nero an idea.

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Goofs

Whilst the Doctor and Quintus are examining the circuit board sculptures in Lucius's house, just before Lucius confronts the two, in the top-right corner of the screen, the boom mic is in plain sight.

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Quotes

Caecillius: [to Quintus] So, where were you last night, down the Thermopolium I bet, cavorting with Etrusci, Christians and all sorts?

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Connections

References Spider-Man 2 (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Doctor Who Theme"
(uncredited)
Written by Ron Grainer
Arranged by Murray Gold
Performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales

User Reviews

This is an episode that's everything an episode of Doctor who should be

A great one-off. This episode is great fun to watch. Not only is there a "baffling" mystery to be solved, but there's amazing tension because a huge argument is brewing between the doctor and Donna about whether they should leave Pompeii or not. Each of them is convinced they're doing the right thing.

That alone would make this a stand-out episode, but there are also some of the best special effects yet seen on the show.

Aswella as a few more tantalising hints about what might be coming later in the series.....

overall Grade A for this episode.