After the ho-hum start of the series, this episode provided much more for us to get our teeth into.  Yes, it was the obligatory “historical” episode, but this isn’t a bad thing.  It was shot on the same set that was used for HBO’s Rome, and therefore looks very good.  More of that later - lets start with the plot.

Donna and the Doctor land in Pompeii on the eve of the famous eruption of Vesuvius which destroyed the city.  After exploring the city they return back to where the Tardis was only to find out it has been sold as a piece of art by a chancing street merchant to a wealth family.  D&D track down the Tardis to the house of Lucius Caecilius Iucundus (played by Peter Capaldi), where he lives with his wife, his son and his daughter.

It transpires that Lucius’s daughter, Evelina, is being inducted into the Sybilline Sisterhood.  The Sisterhood, which appear to impede the Doctor from the start, are a front for the real villains of the piece, the Pyroviles.  The Pyroviles are rock creatures, seeking refuge after their home planet was destroyed (hmm, a pattern maybe?)  The Pyroviles and CG and look ok - a bit Transformer-ish, but they work ok.  It turns out that the Pyroviles are rebuilding their race on Earth, via the Sisterhood.  By inhaling the fumes from the volcano the Sisters start to turn to rock!  Bit late for moisturiser now I think!

Continue reading ‘Doctor Who Series 4 - Episode 2 Review - Fires of Pompeii’

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