The Fires of Pompeii 

Instead of Rome, The Doctor and Donna Noble end up visiting Pompeii in AD 79, on the eve of the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Before anyone even knew it was actually a volcano, the entire city is doomed for destruction.

Director:

Colin Teague

Writers:

James Moran, Steven Moffat (showrunner)

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
Phil Davis	...	Lucius

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 | tenth doctor | volcano eruption | 70s | volcano | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

First sci-fi for Karen Gillan.

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Goofs

During the earthquakes in Caecillius' house before the eruption, despite the walls, statues and other ornaments shaking, the water in the pond remained perfectly still.

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Quotes

The Doctor: [moving stone tablets] Put this one... there. *This* one... there. Uh, keep that one upside down. What have you got?
Lucius: Enlighten me.
The Doctor: What, the soothsayer doesn't know?
Lucius: A seed may float on the breeze in any direction.
The Doctor: Yea, I knew you were gonna say that. But- it's an energy converter!
Lucius: An energy converter of what?
The Doctor: I don't know! Isn't that brilliant? I love not knowing! Keeps me on me toes. It must be awful being a prophet, waking up every morning, "Is it raining? Yes, it is. I said so." Takes all the fun ...

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Connections

Featured in Doctor Who Confidential: End of an Era (2008)

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Soundtracks

Doctor Who Closing Credits
(uncredited)
Written by Ron Grainer
Performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales

User Reviews

Longtime fan of Dr. Who needs schedule of telecasts in USA

When and on which channel is the latest version of Dr. Who telecast in the United States? My husband and I began watching the program when Tom Baker was the Doctor. At the time, we were on the brink of divorce. Watching Dr. Who each Sunday night gave us something to share and enjoy, and our mutual interest in the program helped to revive our marriage. Is there any way that Tom Baker can be coaxed to make at least a cameo appearance on the show? Unaware that Dr. Who had been revived, I saw a bit of the show on television recently. I have been since searching for the time and station of the telecasts so that my husband and I, now married thirty-five years, can revive our weekly ritual. Please help this Dr. Who fan find the good doctor again.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [UK]

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 (50 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color