The Fires of Pompeii ★★★
Vesuvius erupts over Pompeii in this overblown adventure (with guest star Peter Capaldi)
Published:
Story 190
Series 4 – Episode 2
First UK transmission
Saturday 12 April 2008
Cast
The Doctor – David Tennant
Donna Noble – Catherine Tate
Caecilius – Peter Capaldi
Writer James Moran
Director Colin Teague
Cardiff decamps to Cinecittà, as the production team flies out to the famous Italian film studios. It’s “Volcano Day” in Pompeii, AD 79, and the Doctor and Donna find themselves having to trigger the eruption of Vesuvius in order to save the world from Pyroviles. The alien involvement may seem an unnecessary layer, but Catherine Tate amazes as a distraught Donna, pleading with the reluctant Time Lord to “just save someone” – the family of Caecilius (Peter Capaldi).
As well as the future Doctor, look out for Karen Gillan (who’d play Amy from 2010) cast here as the Soothsayer.
