Doctor Who (TV Series) The Fires of Pompeii (2008) User Reviews

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

[cameron-burn · 8/10 · 22 May 2008]

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.

Hot stuff, Fires of Pompeii is visually stunning, and Catherine Tate is sizzling!!

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 21 August 2015]

The Doctor and Donna travel to Ancient Rome, Pompeii, and arrive on Volcano day. Mount Vesuveus is due to erupt, but there are even more problems, the Oracle and soothsayers are seeing more then they should, knowing exactly who both the Doctor and Donna are, and where they've come from. Donna lands in trouble for false prophecy and ends up at the mercy of the Sisterhood, and there are huge fiery monsters in the Mountains.

Donna continues to be tremendous, and raises questions that have yet to be asked. The energy Catherine Tate puts in is excellent, she has been a joy to watch. Donna's character is a revelation, her despair at not being able to help at the end was immensely moving, one of the best companion performances to date.

Italy proves to be a glorious setting, the episode looks wonderful, it feels epic. The sets are stunning and look so right. The effects also are mesmerising.

The Sibylline Sisterhood look wonderfully effective, reminiscent of the Sisterhood of Karn. The design on their hands works so well.

Seeing Peter Capaldi is truly surreal, I wonder if there'll ever be a link to the Doctor, he's such a good actor.

This is a wonderful episode, so much going on, but it's coherent and bursting with energy, it gives some wonderful hints to the remainder of the glorious Series 4. Catherine Tate steals the show, I cannot applaud her highly enough.

MUCH better than cutesy fat marshmallow men

[movieman_kev · 8/10 · 11 May 2008]

Donna and the Doctor wanting to visit ancient Rome, instead wind up in Pompeii on the eve of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This causes a wee bit of a clash between the two as to who can and can not be saved. This is a much better episode then the silly premiere or the Christmas episode simply because this time the tale is given the backbone of something interesting, a nice moral dilemma and shows the truly tragic weight that lays on the Doctor's shoulders all the time. Donna is actually quite likable in this episode, not as annoying as when she first appeared (although she does have a few moments) All in all a fairly good episode.

My Grade: B

A cinematic "Who" experience

[DVD_Connoisseur · 10/10 · 12 April 2008]

Following the trend of the "new" series, the second episode of the season takes a trip into history. In "The Fires of Pompeii", The Doctor and Donna explore ancient Rome.

This is big-scale "Doctor Who" with the production moved to Italy for realistic studio work. Accompanied by sumptuous CGI, this is a vision for sore eyes.

The script is sharp and Catherine Tate continues to prove a major strength. Never have I been so wrong about a companion...I hang my head in shame. Not only does Tate deliver lines brilliantly, her ability to carry the drama of this episode tugged at my heart strings.

10 out of 10. I laughed, I cried...I simply cannot wait for next week's Ood-tastic tale.

James Moran makes his mark with a great Doctor Who story

[ametaphysicalshark · 12 April 2008]

After seeing "The Fires of Pompeii" I am confident that James Moran is here to stay and to become an excellent Doctor Who writer in the future. Moran's previous work is the screenplay for the horror/comedy "Severance" and for an episode of Doctor Who spin off "Torchwood". His script for "The Fires of Pompeii" shows real gratitude to and respect for the legacy of Doctor Who, as Moran does not attempt to introduce more spaceships to London's skies, but rather writes a surprisingly effective and very exciting story in the vein of classic Doctor Who stories from the 70's and 80's.

I love anything that addresses the TARDIS translating languages because that's one I always get asked when people attempt to ridicule Doctor Who. Anyway, this story's guest actors all do a terrific job and the script itself is really a fantastic piece of writing, combining classic Doctor Who elements with wonderful bits of humor and some of the best drama in this incarnation of Doctor Who outside of Steven Moffat's episode, as well as rousing adventure and action scenes. I'm loving Catherine Tate as Donna too, she makes an excellent companion.

By writing a smart, balanced script with a tinge of classic Who added in for good measure, James Moran has crafted one of the best debuts for a writer in Doctor Who's history. I look forward to more from him. Great stuff, and boy did it look good as well.

9/10

"Vene vide vici," "Me, no speak Celtic!"

[farleyflavors10 · 10/10 · 29 May 2008]

One of my personal joys of Doctor Who is how versatile the show is, owing heavily to the way it bends genres and is able to switch from being humorous to dead serious without breaking a sweat and the new series accomplishes this feat like Joss Whedon on a really good day. That's why I didn't mind that the Series Four premiere "Partners In Crime" was a lightweight (no pun intended), fun spirited story. I also didn't mind the whimsical nature of that episode because it was pretty much a dead giveaway that story about Pompeii was not going to be all wine and roses, and especially with a show like Doctor Who in mind with only 13 to 14 episodes per series it's important that the array of stories within are a mixed bag and with a companion like Donna it was almost essential that her return story be more whimsical so that way her (official) maiden voyage could be more sobering, and that's one of the big reasons why "The Fires of Pompeii" is such an important and effective episode.

What's important is that it serves to show Donna that Travelling with The Doctor may wield amazing vistas and singular cultures but it also carries heavy decisions. It essentially rocks Donna's preconceptions about what life with The Doctor will be like and that her previous encounters with him have barely prepared her for what is to come and by the end of this story she finally begins to comprehend the essence of that bigger picture that The Doctor always encouraged her to see. So when she decides to help The Doctor throw the big switch to set off Vesuvius, it's a big step for her growth as a companion and the fact the she is able to take such a big leap when she starts off says a lot about where she is going as a companion.

Moran's writing abilities display remarkable flexibility, with "Pompeii" he deceives us into thinking in the beginning that it's going to be one of those "race against time" scenarios with a moralistic twist and pretty much up until they see that marble circuit that's what you think it's going to be. The marble circuit was a stellar device for the story cause it was the first real hook to keep The Doctor from just running off, and we know The Doctor. If it attracts his attention then it's evident that something is off.

Another element which really aids the audience to attach themselves emotionally to the inevitable disaster is that of the Caecillius family. You meet them in the first few minutes and from the get go you basically see a family who are disjointed and separate. The father and mother are focused on status, the son is apathetic and unaffected and the daughter is suffering from an influence beyond her parents comprehension. I think what is a remarkably nimble feat in Moran's writing is how he can show this family from the start and make them invariably appealing and likable in lieu of their flaws. Ironically I was sold on them pretty from from the father's first line "MODERN ART!" cause I actually agree with him, and because I agreed with him I was able to be interested in him and the characters close to him, and it does actually give Donna's argument more weight that there are good, innocent people who die in Pompeii and who don't deserve the fate that may befall them, and as their story with The Doctor progresses you see them gradually work past their detachment. The son becomes more driven to do good, the daughter becomes an independent thinker. The mother and father become more attentive to their children and less towards their status (which is all the more reason of how important the epilogue was and it's a travesty that the sci-fi channel cut it off).

I've heard people say that they shouldn't have been saved but that basically would have ruined Donna's contribution to the story. After saving the Caecillius family, The Doctor realizes that there are times that even he doesn't know best and that he needs someone with him to see the things he doesn't, because we keep forgetting is that in spite of the fact The Doctor may frequent Earth and is abreast of all it's customs and cultures he is still, ipso facto, an alien and he knows that the thing which pushes him to do right is that human element, and that has been the definitive traits from all of The Doctor's Earthling companions spanning all the way back to day one. That's why the family's salvation at Donna's insistence is so essential to both the story and the Doctor's constant evolution, and let's not forget he acknowledges that Donna was right to force him.

The whole concept of the Soothsayers has been done before but I noticed some subtleties in this story which elevate these characters in the story and much of it has to do with the fact that their power sparks The Doctor's curiosity owing to a sort of otherworldly accuracy which serves as the first few breadcrumbs on the trail. The soothsayers, if anything serve more as a means to carry the story along, which they do quite effectively and the scene where The Doctor rescues Donna and interrogates the High Preistess makes for an excellent transition to the final revelation of the Pyrovile's plans.

In conclusion, series four is kicking off with a sort of unpredictable variety which makes one truly curious as to where this series is taking us this year. but for now I say applause to James Moran, Colin Teague, Tennant and Tate, and all of the visiting supporting actors this was truly a milestone of Who-History

Volcanic Dilemma

[hellraiser7 · 10/10 · 17 March 2016]

Warning do not read unless seen episode.

This is another favorite Doctor Who episode of mine as it's not just another adventure but an engaging drama.

Though watching this episode is equally interesting and ironic as Karan Gillian whom we know as Amy Pond plays the Soothsayer. But Peter Capadi whom we now know as the twelfth doctor plays the father. So you can say this episode the tenth Doctor gets to meet both Amy Pond and the twelfth Doctor in this episode.

One of the things that really make the episode stand out is the family of Pompeli that it focuses on as well as both the Doctor and Donnas back and forth with them. You really like and know them. It's interesting seeing what the family dynamic was at that period of time just showing how it's not any different from our own. As the father (whom is my favorite character in the episode, let alone the fact Peter Capadi plays him) is worried about status because having high status would me bigger and better things not just for his career but the well being of his own family. It's much like with ourselves, whom desire a promotion of some sort so our families can have more. This little piece of relatability makes us all the more feel pathos for them, for what's about to come.

The theme of the episode is about heroism, from it's hard choices, prime directives but also limitations. As well as justifies the importance of the companions of the Doctor.

We then see both the Doctor and Donna have to deal with some sort of volcanic alien monster that is set to destroy all mankind. But they are armed and ready as there is a device that can destroy the monster. Unfortunately there is one terrible catch, despite destroying the monster it will also cause the famous volcanic cataclysm that destroyed Pompeli. That's pretty heavy, both the Doctor and Donna both face the Ulitarianism philosophical dilemma which was always about one or few live to save billions.

And of course you can see what comes next, it was heart sinking as we see Donna try to at least get most of the people to listen to her to go to the hills for safety. But their futile gestures as her cries are not heard and she sees most people perish. At that moment she learns the hard way about the limitations of heroism. Heroism is about saving lives but not everyones because logically it's impossible.

It then gets to another emotional tugging moment as we see the Doctor and Donna get to the Tardis but they don't take the family with them despite their pleas for help. Donna of course is yelling at the Doctor to go back and open the doors of the Tardis, but the Doctor says no because of the threat of breaking the rule on not changing the past. But when he says no you can easily see in his eyes it's killing his soul.

Donna then makes a plea which is just to save someone and not the whole town. Personally I think that is a genuine plea, saving the family isn't against the rules of time travel. Not saving them would be dishonorable a violation of Prime Directives 1 and 2 serve the public trust and protect the innocent. But seeing that moment of the plea really justified the importance of the Doctor having companions because they really do help the Doctor make the right choices, steer him away from making a terrible mistake, but most importantly help him continue being a hero.

We then see a nice moment when in the end the Doctor does what he should do, in fact what every good human being should always do.

Rating: 4 stars

Visions of the future echo from the past

[A_Kind_Of_CineMagic · 9/10 · 21 March 2019]

This episode is an interesting mix of comedy and deeper, darker drama. The comedy works well as you might expect with comedy star Catherine Tate as Donna but Tate's brilliance in the hugely emotional scenes and the dramatic challenging of the Doctor's code of conduct was a wonderful surprise. It turned out that Donna would be equally great in all the forthcoming episodes both in the humour and in the serious dramatic scenes.

Future Doctor Peter Capaldi appears in a nice support role which is later used in a strange but interesting flashback in The Girl Who Died when Capaldi as the 12th Doctor realises he has the same face as this person he met before and feels it was to remind him of his vocation to save people. Future companion (and now Hollywood star) Karen Gillan also appears in an early cameo. The dialogue, story, setting and action is all really good and David Tennant matches Tate with another great performance.

The involvement of the Doctor and an alien threat in the volcanic eruption that destroys Pompeii is a great scenario and this episode works really well. There are good effects, good action scenes, strong dialogue and superb emotional drama. The story is a modern spin on what could easily have been a classic era adventure, it is classic Doctor Who.

9/10.

A Pyroclastic Paradox...

[Xstal · 6/10 · 9 December 2021]

There was a Roman from Pompeii, the face of the Doctor one day, plus there's the Soothsayer, another future player, Amelia Pond she would play.

The true story of Pompeii, and the Doctor and Donna's battle with the Pyroviles who have acquired squatterous righteous to Versuvius and are intent on scorchiousing the earth. It does become a bit overwhelming for Donna as she comes to terms with what can, and can't be done, but she's a sweet lass and although she doesn't have a Roman name it would be Fructose Lactose Glucose if she did - and another planet's lost its orbit!

Ten Past Twelve

[MrFilmAndTelevisionShow · 9/10 · 1 April 2021]

The only thing I love more than a historical Doctor Who episode is a historical Doctor Who episode featuring a famous historical figure, unfortunately this episode did not feature a famous historical figure, but instead they had something better. Peter Capaldi and Karen Gillian. A future Doctor and a future Doctor's companion. Both in one episode. Amazing!

Good Story That Should Have Been A Classic

[Theo Robertson · 7/10 · 22 September 2008]

After the atrocity I witnessed the previous week I was expecting The Fires Of Ponpeii to be a massive improvement . Let's be honest here , Partners In Crime is arguably one of the worst pieces of DOCTOR WHO , classic or NuWho to be transmitted so this story didn't have much to live up to . After initially seeing and enjoying the episode I soon found myself being disappointed the more I thought about it

It's difficult to know who to blame - the writer James Moran or the production team . Moran's script does contain one or two small flaws such as the highly anachronistic mannerisms of street traders in Pompeii . Worse there's a teenage boy who almost blurts out " Hey Mom can I borrow dad's car for the weekend " which is not something you'd expect to hear in ancient Pompeii . The major problem involved in the writing occurs when The Doctor and Donna have to escape the destruction of Pompeii leaving a family to burn to death . Donna pleads with The Doctor to save them . Not only does this moral dilemma have a wimp out ending but it also contradicts previous stories like EarthShock and Father's Day . So now The Doctor can save anyone in the past if his companion weeps and grinds her teeth enough ?

A pity because this episode contains superb production values in sets that were actually filmed in Rome ! Moran also knows what makes DOCTOR WHO works on a fear level so involves scary monsters and body horror and the inclusion of The Sisterhood brings back memories of The Brain Of Morbuis . It's just a pity there wasn't enough emphasis on The Doctor not being able to interfere with history because if the family had been left to burn we'd have seen one of the most heart rending and poignant dramas broadcast under the DOCTOR WHO banner

Come with me...

[wetmars · 10/10 · 23 August 2020]

The Tenth Doctor tries taking Donna Noble to ancient Rome for her first trip in the TARDIS, but seems to have miscalculated. Instead of seven hills, they find a single mountain billowing smoke - Vesuvius. They're in Pompeii, 23 August 79 AD: the day before "Volcano Day". However, something else is horribly wrong. The Soothsayers' predictions seem to always be correct... so why can't they see tomorrow's disastrous events, the eruption of Vesuvius, the death of their city? What is blocking their perception, and will the TARDIS team be able to walk away from a fixed point in time, saving no one from certain doom? Well, Donna has something to say about that!

God, this episode was so fun to watch. It was nice to see Peter Capaldi and Karen Gillan, lol. Peter who would later be the Twelfth Doctor, my most favorite Doctor! Karen who would later be Amy Pond, a companion of the Eleventh Doctor.

This episode had a GREAT dark moment, where Donna was begging the Doctor to save someone's life, since 10th saved Caecilius' family, the Twelfth Doctor would later notice that his own face is a reminder that he is the Doctor and he saves people!

10/10, I bloody love it.

Pompeii and circumstances.

[southdavid · 6/10 · 6 September 2021]

Donna's first-time travelling adventure takes her back to the devastating eruption of Pompeii, addresses one of the shows key conceits and has both a future companion and Doctor amongst it's cast.

Heading for ancient Rome, The Doctor (David Tennant) and Donna (Catherine Tate) instead find themselves in Pompeii on the eve of the eruption. The pair clash over the possibility of warning everyone about the impending doom, but are interrupted when the Tardis is sold to a local merchant, Caecilius (Peter Capaldi). Caecilius' daughter Evelina (Francesca Fowler) is one of a number of Soothsayers in the town suddenly able to predict the future with prodigious accuracy, but all are blind to the fate that awaits them the following day.

Though the Doctor disagreed with and disappointed his previous two companions at times, this is the first time that I can recall that one stands up to him and ignores what he says, let alone gets him to change his mind about what to do. The story does present Donna with a very different type of scenario, a fixed point in time disaster, which she naturally tries to save as many people as possible and not understanding why the Doctor doesn't want to help. Her strong performance helps sell this. The plot though revolves around another displaced race whose planet has disappeared (foreshadowing!!!) and who are hiding in the volcano. It's fine, and the visual effects are OK - but it all ends rather abruptly.

Peter Capaldi appears, in a bit of a paradox that the show will actually go on to address. Karen Gillen appears too as one of the priestesses, but she is under enough make up that it's never needed to be sorted out.

It was a solid and potentially interesting episode, but unfortunately fell a bit short at the end with the hurried conclusion.

There shouldn't be a episode like this!

[paperboy515 · 4/10 · 21 September 2019]

Rose and the Ninth Doctor showed us that if we save the life of someone who had to die in the past tense the flow of time would deteriorate. And in this episode they save four people who had to die, and nothing happens. It's bad...

Best Episode - Second To "Blink"

[borgter · 9/10 · 18 April 2008]

I have got to say, this episode is absolutely brilliant. Whether it is the acting, visual effects, or the wonderful script, I have never enjoyed a Who episode as much as this. (Well, maybe I did - "Blink")

I love any episode that mentions the Time Lord's past - especially Gallifrey references and so what a treat this episode was! Tennant's acting ability is superb and I love his reactions to the Romans who seem to know many hidden details about his past...

Speaking of acting, I think this episode was made stronger by the Stella guest cast - the best cast of the series I feel. Every actor/actress was great - especially the young prophet girl. Bravo.

Also, I must confess/apologise for the prejudice I had of Mrs Tate. I honestly thought she could not act after the premiere, but after seeing this one, she definitely has the chops necessary for a Who companion. Her teary plead to save the family definitely wet my eyes.

The CGI was outstanding too. I'm no budgeter, but this must've cost loads to produce. It's especially surprising, seeing as it's only the second episode. The Pyrovyle creatures were spectacular and never once looked fake to me, which is very hard to accomplish. The Vesuvius eruption was nothing more than a visual treat! Kudos to the Spec.Effects teams, I don't know how they do it but blimey, they deserve an award for those effects!

Overall, a (running out of adjectives) solid and sensational episode that no-one (in their right mind) can say a negative comment about!

cough-TAPTEE-cough

Up Pompeii!

[ShadeGrenade · 9/10 · 27 June 2010]

Despite concerns over the earlier time-slot ( 6.20 P.M. ), 'Partners In Crime' drew an impressive overnight rating of 8.4 million viewers. 'The Fires Of Pompeii' is an altogether different affair. Here we have the show in serious mode again. The Doctor and Donna have gone back to A.D. 79, just before the eruption of Mount Etna. She sees a sign in English - he explains the Tardis enables her to mentally translate Latin. But when she speaks the language, the locals think she is using Gaelic! A stall holder sells the Tardis to the family of Caecillus ( Peter Capaldi ). As soon as they realise where and when they are, our heroes want nothing more than to get the hell out of there. Predictably, they get caught up in events beyond their control. Caecillus knows who the Doctor is ( the alias 'Spartacus' doesn't fool him! ). A time rift has opened up, giving the Romans psychic powers. A Sisterhood of witches is led by a High Priestess ( Victoria Wicks of 'Drop The Dead Donkey' ) who has mutated into a Pyroville - grotesque heat monsters not unlike the 'Fossil Men' from 'Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea' - inside the volcano. Lucius ( Phil Davis, excellent as 'Wilfred Brambell' in B.B.C.-4's 'The Curse Of Steptoe' ) has built an energy converter. To get his people off the planet he has to kill everyone on it. The Doctor is faced with a moral dilemma - to destroy the creatures he must cause the demise of Pompeii. He does so, but Donna pleads with him to save Caecillus' family...

Like 'The Time Warrior' from 1974 and 1982's 'The Visitation', this tells a science fiction story against a colourful background of history. Good script by James Moran, though it could have done without anachronisms such as "Lovely Jubbly!" and the Doctor's use of a water pistol to kill the Pyroviles. Loved the reference to 1964's 'The Romans' though! Capaldi ( himself a long-term 'Who' fan ) and Davis are good. Tate proves here that there is more to 'Donna' than simply shouting. She rivals Tennant in the acting stakes. "She is Coming!" - yes another hint about the impending return of 'Rose'. Much of this was filmed in the Cinecitta studios in Rome, marking the first location filming for 'Who' ( not counting the 1996 T.V. movie ) since 1985's 'The Two Doctors'. The eruption of the volcano would not have disgraced an Emmerich/Devlin picture. The touching ending did not seem forced either. Very good episode overall.

Things To Look Out For - Karen Gillan, future companion, playing a 'Soothsayer'.

More terrific character work.....

[stevenjlowe82 · 9/10 · 1 December 2023]

Fires of Pompeii could have easily been just an average kind of episode but for me was really elevated by superb performances from both David Tenant and Catherine Tate. I'm very much enjoying there kind of buddy cop vibe they have going. It's a refreshing change rather than companions who carry a torch for the Doctor. Again I don't think I really appreciated this at the time when I first watched this series. Catherine Tate really excelled in bringing depth to Donna and her scenes pleading to the Doctor to save just 1 person really got to me, she played it so well. It's interesting that Donna has been exposed to a few harsh truths surrounding the Doctor and the choices he makes so early on into their run together.

I did also note the Doctors surprise at the villains home planet just seems to have disappeared. I'm thinking this connects maybe to the mysterious reappearance of Rose in the previous episode. I'm genuinely stoked to see where this goes and am just overall glad I'm rewatching the Donna Noble era again and giving it a much fairer appraisal and appreciation this time around.

When with the Doctor in Rome..well, Pompeii

[dkiliane · 8/10 · 1 March 2019]

This episode has plenty of strong components but also some glaring weaknesses. The weaknesses are tied up with the villains - - rock creatures created with bad cgi and basic campy Roman ruler antagonist. Also, defeated with a water pistol? Funny but dumb.

The strengths of this episode once again lies in its characters. Peter Capaldi gives an outstanding pre-Doctor performance as a marble tradesmen/caring father. Donna really keeps this episode grounded and human. Not just funny, she proves to be just what the Doctor needs, someone to defy him and remind him what is right.

This episode centers around the struggle between not interfering with history and compassion for others. A theme often repeated throughout the fourth season, and a defining struggle for the Doctor. And it shines in the portrayal of this struggle. Unfortunately the camp and lackluster villains brings it down a notch. 8/10

The Fires of Pompeii

[studioAT · 6/10 · 28 August 2021]

Anyone who thought Donna would just be a comedy companion will be eating their words after this episode, because Catherine Tate who plays her carries a lot of the drama here.

It's a good episode, asking lots of questions about the decisions The Doctor makes, and how right/wrong they are.

Some nice examples of gentle comedy along the way too.

Fans also get appearances from Peter Capaldi (a future Doctor) who exhibits more of a sense of fun here than he would do in the lead role, and Karen Gillian (a future companion) too.

A good episode.

Exceptionally Good

[richard.fuller1 · 10/10 · 1 August 2009]

Of all the Doctor Who episodes to catch rerun in America, Fires of Pompeii and Blink are, without a doubt, two of the best.

Fires of Pompeii aired this past Friday and once again, it is enjoyable to watch.

Two standout moments are the realization that the Doctor must either bring about the destruction of Pompeii to save the Earth, and Donna aids him in this decision, and the family being saved.

Both seem to deal with maintaining history (the destruction of Pompeii) or changing history (saving the family) but in truth, for all the Doctor knows (!!!), it may have just as well been his role in history to save this family, for whatever purpose.

The rescue of the family was much more delightful to watch than, say, the crowded tardis in Peter Davison's Awakening.

I've seen better

[DoctorWhoFanatic · 6/10 · 22 April 2008]

Weird in the beginning, depressing at the end. The cult was weird, and while I don't know much about history, it just didn't seem to fit in. The battle of the seers between Evelina and Lucius reveled more information about the Doctor than any character on Doctor Who has a right to know upon their first meeting with the Doctor. Also, the family seemed too modern-day, especially at the end when Evelina says, "Don't start dad, its what all the girls in Rome are wearing. See you later." And the "household gods" thing when the Doctor and Donna become the new household gods, thats just overdoing it.

But now for the good. I like Donna in this, she's really caring and wants to save everybody, but she can't. And she gives the Doctor a very important lesson: While he might not be able to save everybody due to a fixed history, that doesn't mean he can't save somebody. This really lightens up the gloomy ending and proves to the Doctor that he really does need someone, going against what he said in the Christmas episode of season 3 in which we first meet Donna.

And finally, a really theory-sparking message by Lucius: "Doctor, she is returning." OOO! Could this mean Rose, or perhaps... *drum roll please* ... The Doctor's Daughter?! *pokes the upcoming episode 6* Either way, OOO!

So, overall, four points for Donna, one point for "she is returning," and one point for just being Doctor Who, making a grand total of 6/10.

A Moral Dilemma with Volcanic Action

[hwiltshire-06889 · 8/10 · 4 April 2024]

The Fires of Pompeii is a thrilling episode that grapples with weighty themes of history vs. Intervention, offering a satisfying mix of action, drama, and a touch of classic Doctor Who humor. It earns a solid 8 out of 10.

David Tennant is at his best, his Doctor a whirlwind of charm, brilliance, and, eventually, a deep moral struggle. Peter Capaldi, in his first Doctor Who appearance, offers a compelling and grounded portrayal of Caecilius that makes the central dilemma feel truly impactful.

The episode cleverly utilizes the historical backdrop. Pompeii is vividly realized, creating tension as the audience knows the inevitable destruction that's coming. The Pyroviles, while a bit visually cheesy, serve their purpose as a cataclysmic threat.

Where the episode shines is in its exploration of the Doctor's role. It's a classic 'can't change a fixed point in history' story, but the emotional stakes are high. The supporting characters, particularly Caecilius' family, are fleshed out enough to make their fates matter.

It loses a few points for its slightly too convenient resolution and some pacing hiccups in the middle section. However, these are minor complaints compared to the strengths of the episode.

The Fires of Pompeii is a classic Doctor Who adventure. It delivers on the spectacle of an erupting volcano and the emotional impact of a difficult choice. It's entertaining, thought-provoking, and features solid performances from its cast.

A little better but not good enough

[warlordartos · 6/10 · 13 March 2021]

Liked it for the history not a fan of the supernatural magma monsters but it was enjoyable enough

Weak story with no character development of the villains with bad sound editing, and rotten portrayal of the Doctor

[taptee · 4/10 · 12 April 2008]

The episode for some reason was really poorly directed. The camera angles were weird, and did not somehow portray the flow of action. The sound editing is bad, as the music is too loud and continues to play so when there is no demand for background music. The villains or bad guys were given no chance to show us their side of the story. The Doctor figures it out all by himself, and in a second makes a decision to destroy the city. The story had the potential to be a good one, but the director never had a desire to avail that chance. I just hope the rest of the season is better; not looking good from the first two episodes of the fourth season.

4 out of 10 (only because its a Doctor Who show, otherwise 2 out of 10)

"Some things are fixed, some things are in a flux. Pompeii is fixed."

[identitystaysamystery · 7/10 · 26 September 2012]

Now we're getting somewhere! The last episode lacked plot, and this one got back into the swing of things. When the Doctor and Donna go to Pompeii you know things won't end well. And of course they don't. There are aliens and of course the famous Valcano! Unlike last weeks adipose these aliens were frightening! And this week brought the question question of write and wrong in to the picture. Something that has happened many times in Doctor Who (Father's day, Waters of Mars, etc.) Should they shouldn't they save any of the inhabitants of Pompeii? Well, I won't spoil the ending. But to make a long story short this episode doesn't disappoint! It brings back everything we want in Who. Scary monsters, interesting plot, and the spectacular tenth doctor!