| Screen Caps | ||||
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| The Story |
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The Doctor and Donna arrive in Pompeii the day before the eruption of AD 79. Donna is determined to warn Pompeii about the
imminent danger, but the Doctor refuses - the events of Pompeii are a fixed moment in history and must not be altered. They
walk back to the TARDIS to avoid the eruption itself, but when they do so, they find that it has been sold by a ruthless
trader to a Marble merchant named Caecillius.
Pompeii experiences several small tremors - a warning of the event to come, which even the Soothsayers cannot predict. Upon their arrival to Caecillius's home, the Doctor and Donna pose as marble inspectors and promptly make for the TARDIS. The arrival of Lucius Dextrus - Pompeii's augur and the unveiling of a marble circuit board peaks the Doctor's interest. There is far more to the soothsaying than meets the eye! Whilst Donna comforts the distressed soothsayer daughter of Caecillius, Evelina, the Doctor enlists the help of Quintus to discover the truth behind the marble circuit board. When they reach Lucius's house, they discover more of them. Lucius enters and orders they be killed. The Doctor pulls off Lucius's right arm, made of stone, before fleeing. Something underground gives chase... |
| Memorable Quotes |
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Doctor: I am, Spartacus.
Donna: And so am I. Evelina: Even the word Doctor is false. Your real name is hidden. It burns in the stars - in the cascade of Medusa herself. You are a lord sir, a lord of time. Donna: Tomorrow, that mountain is going to explode... The air is gonna fill with ash and rocks - tons and tons of it. This whole town is gonna get buried. I'm sorry, I'm really, really sorry, but everyone is gonna die. |
| Editor's Review |
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What can I say? That was a truly spectacular episode and re-enforces the view that historical episodes are generally of a higher quality compared
with their contemporary counterparts. The cast, Catherine Tate most definitely included, were all on form this week and the extra expense of
filming in the Cinecittà studios really paid off.
The ongoing theme of the episode was of Donna's deep desire to warn everyone about the impending doom, against the Doctor's insistence that events must go ahead as planned. This culminated in a truly emotional ending when Donna eventually persuaded the Doctor to save "just someone". It gave a far greater depth to their relationship as Doctor and companion than has been seen before in the new series. Part of me feels slightly let down by the re-introduction of the previous companions, because this pairing is easily the best of the bunch. I think three cheers for James Moran are in order. This is shaping up to be the best series yet! (Dan Ludlow) |