Doctor Who 4x02 - The Fires of Pompeii
Well the time has come for another review. This is for the month of February, so I’m more than a little on the late side, but unfortunately, real life occasionally demands my presence! It’s also just as the new Doctor Who is starting to air, so it’s not the best timing, but if I don’t do this now, it’s not going to happen. February is for episode 2 of series 4 - The Fires of Pompeii:
And if my memory serves me correctly, the soothsayer pictured prominently here is none other than Karen Gillan, our new companion! But on to the review:
This is the first time that Donna gets to travel through time, and it’s quite spectacular. The huge scale of the sets really impresses me throughout this episode. And it may be Donna’s first historical story, but the Doctor still gets excited.
That power to travel to any place at any time is just amazing. There are so many places to go and so many things to see. I can completed understand how thrilled the Doctor must be each time he lands somewhere. Donna thinks it is “fantastic” and I agree with her completely. In this little section I also think that the Doctor is quite proud of his travelling capabilities. But it is something worth being proud of I suppose.
And I very much like how the TARDIS translation circuits will translate text and speech for them - it’s something I would love to take on any of my travels! Here it translates Latin to English.
Donna: What if I said something in actual Latin? Like 'veni, vidi, vici'? My dad said that when he came back from football. If I said 'veni, vidi, vici' to that lot, what would it sound like?
Doctor: I'm not sure - you have to think of difficult questions, don't you?
Donna: I'm gonna try it.
And it sounds like Celtic! Brilliant! We learn something new every day with the Doctor. We get our first glimpse of the young soothsayer here, watching the Doctor and Donna walk along - our first sense that something is not quite right.
I’m still struck by how amazing it would be to be able to travel back to that time and “look around” just how the Doctor plans to. “Colosseum, Pantheon, Circus Maximus” - it would be spectacular to see these places not as pieces of ‘history’ but as how they functioned in day-to-day life! However, the Doctor won’t be able to see them this time, because he’s not in Rome. (Which makes me wonder, is it the TARDIS that goes astray by itself, or does the Doctor not pay enough attention when driving it?)
One big mountain with smoke and the ground trembling beneath them - they’re in Pompeii, and “it’s volcano day”. Anyone who knows a little history knows that Pompeii gets destroyed, but what’s with the Sibylline? And there’s a prophecy that the blue box would come - this does not bode well for the Doctor.
Also not boding well is the fact that the TARDIS has disappeared:
Donna: You're kidding. Don't tell me the TARDIS is gone.
Doctor: Okay.
Donna: Where is it then?
Doctor: You told me not to tell you.
Donna: Don't get clever in Latin.
It’s been sold as ‘modern art’! I can sort of see how Caecilius could see the TARDIS as modern art - it would certainly not be something that everyone else had in their house. However, I must agree with Metella in that it is somewhat of a waste of space. I wouldn’t be able to fit one in my house.
Just a quick side point while being introduced to Quintus, the Pompeian family’s son - guys do not know how to move in a skirt…
So we come to the episode’s moral issue: do you let history happen and let all of Pompeii’s occupants die, or do you try to change things and save lives?
Doctor: It's 79 AD, 23 of August which makes Volcano Day tomorrow.
Donna: Plenty of time. We can get everyone out easy.
Doctor: Except we're not going to.
Donna: But that's what you do. You're the Doctor. You save people.
Doctor: But not this time. Pompeii is a fixed point in history. What happens happens. There is no stopping it.
Donna: Says who?
Doctor: Says me.
Donna: What, and you're in charge?
Doctor: TARDIS, Time Lord... yeah.
Donna: Donna, human... no! I don't need your permission. I'll tell them myself.
Doctor: You stand in the marketplace and announce the end of the world, they'll just think you're a mad old soothsayer. Now, come on. TARDIS, we are getting out of here.
Donna: Well, I just might have something to say about that, spaceman!
Doctor: Oh, I bet you will!
I can see both sides of the argument here. I can comprehend the idea of there being fixed points in history and things that just have to happen. Because, if the Doctor was to change every bad event that he came across, what would happen? Who could know what kind of chain reactions that could bring? When he did dare it in the Waters of Mars, things didn’t turn out well. As was brought out in that episode, no one should have that kind of power.
But to stand back and know that these people are going to die, and not do anything at all must hurt so very badly. So I can understand how Donna wants to do something - to do anything - that might save the lives of these people. The people would think her mad though because there’s no precedent - the danger that she would be warning of is so far fetched that it just wouldn’t be believed!
Again, short scenes like this makes me feel that the Doctor and Donna are so well matched. They are both trying to do what they feel is right. They just have different ideas and being strong characters they won’t just concede to the other’s point of view and instead make each other question what they believe.
Meanwhile, the Sibylline have been searching the oracles: “The blue box. A temple made of wood, and yet the sibyl foretold that the box would appear at the time of storms and fire and betrayal.” However, the High Priestess disagrees, instead predicting and endless empire of Pompeii. Something is clearly going wrong…
Going back to the Doctor and Donna, something which also makes them a good match is their sense of humour:
Caecilius: Who are you?
Doctor: I am... Spartacus.
Donna: And so am I.
Caecilius: Mr and Mrs Spartacus?
Doctor: Oh no, we're not married.
Donna: Not together.
Caecilius: Oh, then brother and sister? Yes, of course. You look very much alike.
Doctor & Donna: Really?
Firstly, I love the Spartacus reference (not that I’ve ever seen the film). I love the Doctor’s little pause before coming out with it, and how Donna can’t help but continue on with it. I also love that it backfires on them straight away, with them having to deny that they are a couple. Then their looks as Caecilius assumes that they’re related! Each seems somewhat shocked that someone could think that they look like each other.
TARDIS found! Although, before the Doctor makes them leave, Donna tries to save the family…
Donna: Although, while we're here, wouldn't you recommend a holiday, Spartacus?
Doctor: I don't know what you mean, Spartacus.
Donna: Oh, this lovely family, mother and father and son... Don't you think they should get out of town?
You can see the Doctor wishing that she would stop…
Donna’s trying to warn them about the volcano but Caecilius and his family don’t understand. The Doctor pulls her aside to try and explain the whole volcano situation again…
Doctor: They don't know what it is. Vesuvius is just a mountain to them. The top hasn't blown off yet. The Romans haven't even got a word for volcano. Not until tomorrow.
Donna: Oh great. They can learn a new word... when they die.
Doctor: Donna, stop it.
Donna: Listen, I don't know what sort of kids you've been flyin' around with in outer space, but you're not telling me to shut up. That boy... how old is he, sixteen? And tomorrow he burns to death.
Doctor: And that's my fault?
Donna: Right now, yes!
That’s how Donna sees the situation. It must be killing her knowing that everyone around her will die tomorrow but that she can’t do a thing about it. She doesn’t know the laws of time. All she knows is that the Doctor is able change things, but that he’s making no attempt to save anyone. So yes, right now, everyone dying is the Doctor’s fault.
That said, the Doctor must feel it too. Because he does know the laws of time and knows that he must not change history. There must be many terrible fixed points in history which the Doctor can’t change, but I suppose that being there and meeting those who will die makes the situation far more personal. It’s a heavy burden.
But there are still some opportunities for amusement:
Caecilius: Pardon me, sir, I have guests. This is Spartacus, and, uh, Spartacus.
Doctor and Donna both wave.
Lucius: A name is but a cloud upon a summer wind.
Doctor: But the wind is felt most keenly in the dark.
Lucius: Ah! What is the dark other than an omen of the sun?
Doctor: I concede that every sun must set...
Lucius: Ha!
Doctor: ...and yet the son of the father must also rise.
Lucius: Damn. Very clever, sir. Evidently a man of learning.
Doctor: Oh yes, but don't mind me. Don't want to disturb the status quo.
I must just interject and say that one of the qualities that I find most attractive in the Doctor is his intelligence. He truly does have a brilliant mind. But he does try to not interfere and disturb the status quo!
Lucius is a character that I do not like. The words of ‘wisdom’ which come out of him are more confusing than enlightening. He’s rather pompous and thinks a bit too highly of himself.
The Doctor’s curiosity is his downfall again. Just as he’s about to leave, Caecilius reveals a piece of marble which looks suspiciously like a piece of a circuit board…
Caecilius’ daughter Evelina appears accusing the Doctor and Donna of laughing at them. The ‘consuming of vapours’ looks to be taking a toll on her because she looks terrible. And Quintus shows his concern for her - he’s a good guy really - he just seems to have no direction in Pompeii.
Lucius considers Evelina to be a rival…
Lucius: The prophecies of women are limited and dull. Only the men folk have the capacity for true perception.
Donna: I'll tell you where the wind's blowing right now, mate.
… but Donna’s not taking any of that nonsense! Yay for Donna!
But there is certainly something going on in Pompeii, because the oracles and soothsayers know far too much. Much more than they should know.
Doctor: Consuming the vapours, you say?
Evelina: They give me strength.
Doctor: It doesn't look like it to me.
Evelina: Is that your opinion... as a doctor?
Doctor: I beg your pardon?
Evelina: Doctor. That's your name.
Doctor: How did you know that?
Evelina: And you, you call yourself noble.
Metella: Now then Evelina, don't be rude.
Doctor: No, no, no. Let her talk.
Evelina: You both come from so far away.
Lucius: A female soothsayer in inclined to invent all sorts of vagaries.
Doctor: Oh, not this time, Lucius. I reckon you've been out-soothsaid.
Lucius: Is that so... man from Gallifrey?
Doctor: What?
Lucius: Strangest of images. Your home is lost in fire, is it not?
Donna: Doctor, what are they doing?
Lucius: And you, daughter of... London.
Donna: How does he know that?
Lucius: This is the gift of Pompeii. Every single oracle tells the truth.
Donna: But that's impossible.
Lucius: Doctor, she is returning.
Doctor: Who is? Who's she?
Lucius: And you, Daughter of London... you have something on your back.
Donna: What's that mean?
Evelina: Even the word "Doctor" is false. Your real name is hidden. It burns in the stars of the cascade of Medusa herself. You are a lord, sir. A lord... of time...
Now that’s more than a little eerie. There’s a few points through this little section. How can they possibly know all of this? It seems to be more than just foretelling the future. They know the history of the Doctor and Donna. But there are some things foretold about the futures of the Doctor and Donna. Firstly “she is returning” - this thoroughly confuses the Doctor. And then Donna has something on her back - this is getting a bit too weird for her.
Turns out there was a great earthquake seventeen years ago:
Caecilius: An awful lot of damage but we rebuilt.
Doctor: Didn't you think of moving away? Oh, no, then again, San Francisco.
Sometimes we just don’t learn. I suppose those in Pompeii were the same.
It was after the earthquake that the soothsayers started making sense. They started predicting everything with absolute precision, but they haven’t said anything about Vesuvius erupting. It is very strange that they can see everything perfectly except for the volcano… The soothsayers breath in the vapours from Mount Vesuvius itself - that’s how they see - they’re breathing in Vesuvius.
The Doctor then ‘bribes’ Quintus into taking him to Lucius’ house. They slip inside to find a whole wall of marble circuit boards. And promptly get discovered by Lucius.
Meanwhile, Donna is speaking to Evelina: “Look, don’t tell the Doctor I said anything ‘cause he’ll kill me, but I’ve got prophecy too…” And she proceeds to tell Evelina everything about what’s going to happen. But Evelina has some sort of link to the Sisterhood, and they too hear what Donna has to say. The High Priestess demands that the ‘false prophet’ be sacrificed.
Back at Lucius’ place, the Doctor (complete with brainy specs) has rearranged the pieces of marble to create an energy converter. But he doesn’t know what it’s for:
Doctor: I don't know. Isn't that brilliant? I love not knowing, keeps me on my 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 out of life. But who designed this, Lucius? Hmm? Who gave you these instructions?
When Lucius refuses to answer, we find out why he’s been hiding his right arm. The Doctor snaps it off - it’s made of stone - “’armless enough, though!” And along comes the running…
But the Doctor and Quintus are being followed by some great strange stone creature. It crashes through into Caecilius’ house and everyone seems to be in awe as they think it’s some kind of God. Only Quintus keeps his wits about him and douses the creature in water, making it shatter into little pieces.
The creature may be defeated, but Donna has been captured by the Sibylline…
Donna: You have got to be kidding me.
Spurrina: The false prophet will surrender both her blood and her breath.
Donna: I'll surrender you in a minute. Don't you dare!
Spurrina: You will be silent.
Donna: You might have eyes on the back of our hands but you'll have eyes in the back of your head by the time I finish with you! Let me... go!
Spurrina: This prattling will cease... forever.
She raises dagger above her head in preparation to strike.
Doctor: Oh, that'll be the day.
Spurrina: No man is allowed to enter the Temple of Sybil.
Doctor: Oh, that's all right, just us girls. (starts to walk towards them) Do you know, I met the Sibyl once. Hell of a woman. Blimey, she could dance a tarantella. Truth be told, I think she had a bit of a thing for me. I said it would never last. She said, "I know". Well, she would. (stops in front of altar) You all right there?
Donna: Oh, never better.
Doctor: I like the toga.
He reaches into his pocket and takes out the sonic screwdriver.
Donna: Thank you. And the ropes?
Doctor: Eh, not so much.
He uses the screwdriver on the ropes.
The High Priestess then asks to see the Doctor - “he carries starlight in his wake” - I love that expression. When the High Priestess is revealed, we see that she has been turned almost completely to stone. She can still move, slowly and painfully, but she looks like a stone carving. But she believes that it is a blessing from the Gods. They must have such faith to believe that turning into stone is a blessing, but I suppose Rome and Pompeii were much more superstitious and religious then we are today.
“The people of Pompeii are turning to stone before the volcano erupts” - and we still don’t know why the soothsayers can predict everything except the volcano… But there is some creature inside the stone, something that the High Priestess is becoming. And the Doctor does not know what they are: “Name yourself. Planet of origin, galactic coordinates, species designation according to the universal ratification of the Shadow Proclamation. Side question - has the Shadow Proclamation been mentioned prior to series 4? I have no recollection of it.
So the Pyrovile have arrived on Earth. But never fear, the Doctor is armed… with a water pistol! Okay, so we learn that they fell to Earth, shattered into dust, and are now using humans to reconstitute themselves. But the psychic powers:
High Priestess / Pyrovile: We opened their minds and found such gifts.
Doctor: Fine, so you force yourself inside a human brain, use their latent psychic talent, I get that, yeah, but seeing the future, that is way beyond psychic.
Is the Doctor saying that we as humans have some psychic ability? And if so, what psychic ability can he be referring to? Being able to read another person’s mind? In any case, we still don’t know how they can see through time and foretell the future, because the Doctor has to escape
Spurrina: Sisters, I see into his mind. The weapon is harmless.
Doctor: Yeah, but it's got a sting!
Donna: You fought her off with a water pistol. I bloody love you.
I bloody love that he fought them off with a water pistol too! I wonder what else he might have hidden away in those pockets of his. And for the record, I believe that his pockets are definitely bigger on the inside.
Doctor: This way.
Donna: Where are we going now?
Doctor: Into the volcano.
Donna: No way.
Doctor: Yes way. (twirls pistol) Appian way.
I actually had to look up the Appian way reference. I didn’t study history in high school although it’s times like these that make me want to learn more. Actually, quite often when I’m watching Doctor Who I want to learn more. I suppose that’s something to be said about Doctor Who as a program - it makes you open your mind and makes you want to know more and gather more information. I love it! Although, I’ve gotten the quotes from on online script and that’s where it says ‘Appian way’. The subtitles on my DVD say ‘have it your way’ but it sounds nothing like that! It’s a proper DVD too so I’m surprised that the subtitles are so strange…
And so volcano day dawns, the mountain is worse than ever, and the prophecy advances:
Evelina: I can see...
Metella: What is it?
Evelina: A choice. Someone must make a choice. The most terrible choice.
Back in the tunnels under Vesuvius, Donna is still trying to get the Doctor to save Pompeii:
Donna: But if it's aliens setting off the volcano, doesn't that make it all right? For you to stop it?
Doctor: Still part of history.
Donna: Well, I'm history too. You saved me in 2008. You saved us all. Why is that different?
Doctor: Some things are fixed, some things are in flux. Pompeii is fixed.
Donna: How do you know which is which?
Doctor: Because that's how I see the universe. Every waking second, I can see what is, what was... what could be, what must not. That's the burden of the Time Lord, Donna. I'm the only one left.
Donna: How many people died?
Doctor: Stop it!
Donna: Doctor! (he stops and turns) How many people died?
Doctor: Twenty thousand.
Donna: Is that what you can see, Doctor? All twenty thousand? And you think that's all right, do you?
I don’t think that the Doctor thinks ‘that’s all right’. I think that he’s trying not to think about it. He usually is able to wield such power and usually has the ability to change so many things. But with Pompeii being a ‘fixed’ event, it’s an though he’s been stripped of his power. It’s as though at heart he wants to change how the story ends but he knows that he can’t. That change is something which ‘must not’. I think that he simply doesn’t want to be reminded of how powerless he is because that reminds him of the lives he can’t save.
The Doctor and Donna are finding out more about what the Pyrovile are up to…
Doctor: What's that thing?
He takes out a small collapsible telescope.
Donna: Well, you'd better hurry up and think of something. Rocky IV's on its way.
But the Pyrovile are after them and the Doctor is again forced to take arms so that he and Donna can flee:
I love the water pistol, I really do!
Doctor: Now then, Lucius. My lord Pyrovillian... don't get yourselves in a lava. (looks at Donna) In a lava... no?
Donna: No.
Doctor: No.
I still don’t get this reference! Can anyone explain it to me? Whatever it is, it’s gone straight over my head.
Now we get both episode plot points, and teasers for the series arc:
Donna: But if you've crashed... and you've got all this technology, why don't you just go home?
Lucius: The heaven of Pyrovillia is gone.
Doctor: What do you mean "gone"? Where's it gone?
Lucius: It was taken. Pyrovillia is lost.
How does a planet just disappear? That’s the second reference to missing planets this season. Last episode it was the Adiposian breeding planet, and not it’s Pyrovillia…
The Pyrovile intend to take over the planet and apparently for the Doctor “that’s all I needed to know”. And the Doctor and Donna disappear into the little alien pod that the Pyrovile arrived in.
Donna: Little bit hot.
Doctor: See, the energy converted takes the lava, uses the power to create a fusion matrix which wields Pyrovile to human. Now it's complete, they can convert millions.
Donna: Well, can you change it... with these controls?
Doctor: 'Course I can, but don't you see? That's why the soothsayers can't see the volcano. There is no volcano. Vesuvius is never going to erupt. The Pyrovile are stealing all its power. They're gonna use it to take over the world.
Donna: But you can change it back.
Doctor: Well, I can avert the system, so the volcano will blow them up, yes, but... that's the choice, Donna. It's Pompeii or the world.
Donna: Oh my God.
Doctor: If Pompeii is destroyed, then it's not just history, it's me. I make it happen.
Donna: But the Pyrovile are made of rock. Maybe they can't be blown up.
Doctor: (working on machinery) Vesuvius explodes with the force of 24 nuclear bombs. Nothing can survive it. Certainly not us.
Donna: Never mind us.
Doctor: (puts his hands on the lever) Push this lever and it's all over. Twenty thousand people.
So they push the lever together and they have to. But what a terrible choice to have to make (Evelina was right). To choose between 20,000 people or the entire world. On paper it’s a logical choice - you would sacrifice 20,000 to save billions - but to actually have to make that choice. The Doctor knows that it is the right choice, but you can see that it’s a choice that he doesn’t want to make. He dislikes that it’s him forced to make that choice.
I think the pain is also because saving the rest of the planet is not what he does in this instance (bear with me as I try to explain my logic). What he chooses to do is allow the volcano to erupt. The deaths of everyone in Pompeii is the direct consequence of his choice. The saving of the rest of the Earth is a secondary result. The Doctor didn’t ‘choose to save the Earth’, he chose to let 20,000 die in the eruption of Vesuvius so that history would go back into place.
But he has Donna with him, and she seems to begin to understand. Despite all of her protests about saving the people of Pompeii, she also understands the choice that needs to be made and, although she’s devastated by it, she has the strength to stand by the Doctor and make that choice with him. Rewatching it now, it is a beautiful moment - both wishing they didn’t have to do this, but together sadly resolved to do what they must. Although I believe that the Doctor will always blame himself, he’s not alone - Donna is willing to accept with him responsibility for causing Vesuvius to erupt.
Evelina now says that “the future is changing”, although for us, it now goes back to the history as we’ve always known it. Vesuvius erupts and it shoots the pod with the Doctor and Donna in it into the air. (My subtitles here say: (Donna screaming)!)
I think the Doctor Who crew and production team have done a really good job with this eruption sequence. The shot of the volcano erupting looks quite realistic so good job to the CGI team. Then the shots through the streets of Pompeii with the wind and the ash are very well done too.
And still through it all Donna is trying to save people: “Don’t go to the beach! Go to the hills! Listen to me! Don’t go to the beach! It’s not safe!” The Doctor has to pull her along - he knows she’s right of course, but he also knows that the people will not listen to her.
They race through to the TARDIS in Caecilius’ house and see the family huddling in the corner. My DVDs say the Caecilius here says “you can’t save us Doctor”, however the transcript says “Gods save us Doctor”. I’m going to agree with the transcript. And the Doctor seems to consider it for a moment. It’s almost as though in that moment, he’s thinking that he hasn’t been able to save anyone, that he’s no God and he can’t save this family either. So he runs to the TARDIS but Donna tries to call him back before following him:
Donna: You can't just leave them!
Doctor: Don't you think I've done enough? History's back in place and everyone dies.
Donna: You've got to go back! Doctor, I am telling you, take this thing back!
Donna: It's not fair.
Doctor: No, it's not.
Donna: But your own planet, it burned.
Doctor: That's just it. Don't you see, Donna? Can't you understand? If I could go back and save them then I would, but I can't. I can never go back! I can't! I just... can't!
Doctor: …I can't…
Donna: Just someone. Please. Not the whole town. Just save someone.
I don’t think the Doctor is feeling particularly proud of himself at the moment. He’s taking far too much upon himself. Yes, it was him (and Donna) that pushed the lever that made Vesuvius erupt, but he would not have had to make that choice if the Pyrovile hadn’t tried to take over the Earth. And it’s not fair. It’s not fair that they had to make that choice. And it’s not fair that the Doctor can travel through time but he can’t go back and save Gallifrey. We don’t really know what happened during the Time War, but I have my own ideas, and in those ideas, the Doctor had to leave behind a huge part of his life when the Time War ended. So I think that the whole helplessness he feels while in Pompeii reminds him of how helpless he was when Gallifrey burned.
But Donna is able to convince him that not everyone needs to die. That while the event itself is fixed, the lives of everyone in the town don’t have to be fixed. So he returns (with the TARDIS interior lighting set to ‘hero’ mode and with a gorgeous soundtrack):
Doctor: Come with me.
They stand overlooking a great cloud of ash roll over Pompeii while the Doctor tells Caecilius that they will never be forgotten. And Evelina’s visions are gone and the Doctor gives the explanation as to why: “The explosion was so powerful, it cracked open a rift in time. Just for a second. That’s what gave you the gift of prophecy. It echoed back into the Pyrovillian alternative. But not any more. You’re free.” I still don’t completely understand what he means - if the explosion he refers to is the eruption of Vesuvius, how did the soothsayers see the future before the eruption? What does ‘echo back into the Pyrovillian alternative’ mean? I’m going to assume that, because time is wibbly wobbly, the rift in time did happen in the eruption, the ability to see time went backwards, it was the Pyrovile that had the ability of capturing the knowledge from the rift and they ‘conveyed’ that knowledge to the soothsayers through the inhaling in of the vapours.
Donna and the Doctor leave with the Doctor admitting to Donna: “You were right. Sometimes I need someone.” He sometimes needs someone to remind him that his way and his plans are not always right just because he’s brilliant. Someone to remind him that maybe sometimes he’s wrong. And I think that Donna is a good companion to him in that way. So onwards they go.
Caecilius and his family have survived and their lives go on. Caecilius is bidding for work in Alexandria. Metella is standing firmly behind her husband. Evelina is wearing short skirts and going out to see boys. And Quintus is studying to be a doctor - he’s got a purpose now.
Quintus: Thank you, household gods. Thank you for everything.
Overall, the episode was a bit mixed for me although I did like the episode. I loved the setting in Pompeii and the moral dilemma of whether or not to change history. However I thought the plot was a bit complicated - I still don’t quite understand some parts. The progression of the Doctor’s and Donna’s relationship was good - challenging each other the entire way, and also coming to a better understanding of each other.
Next time is The Planet of the Ood (which I remember loving), but stay tuned because I intend to picspam the Confidential for this episode - I haven’t been able to find screencaps I liked online, so I’m capping it myself and it’s taking a while since I’ve never capped before! It should be up in the next couple of days though.
Screencaps from disparue.org, Demon-Cry, Sonic Biro, Tennant-Photos.com and Doctor Who Screencaps
Transcript from Doctor Who Transcripts
And if my memory serves me correctly, the soothsayer pictured prominently here is none other than Karen Gillan, our new companion! But on to the review:
This is the first time that Donna gets to travel through time, and it’s quite spectacular. The huge scale of the sets really impresses me throughout this episode. And it may be Donna’s first historical story, but the Doctor still gets excited.
That power to travel to any place at any time is just amazing. There are so many places to go and so many things to see. I can completed understand how thrilled the Doctor must be each time he lands somewhere. Donna thinks it is “fantastic” and I agree with her completely. In this little section I also think that the Doctor is quite proud of his travelling capabilities. But it is something worth being proud of I suppose.
And I very much like how the TARDIS translation circuits will translate text and speech for them - it’s something I would love to take on any of my travels! Here it translates Latin to English.
Donna: What if I said something in actual Latin? Like 'veni, vidi, vici'? My dad said that when he came back from football. If I said 'veni, vidi, vici' to that lot, what would it sound like?
Doctor: I'm not sure - you have to think of difficult questions, don't you?
Donna: I'm gonna try it.
And it sounds like Celtic! Brilliant! We learn something new every day with the Doctor. We get our first glimpse of the young soothsayer here, watching the Doctor and Donna walk along - our first sense that something is not quite right.
I’m still struck by how amazing it would be to be able to travel back to that time and “look around” just how the Doctor plans to. “Colosseum, Pantheon, Circus Maximus” - it would be spectacular to see these places not as pieces of ‘history’ but as how they functioned in day-to-day life! However, the Doctor won’t be able to see them this time, because he’s not in Rome. (Which makes me wonder, is it the TARDIS that goes astray by itself, or does the Doctor not pay enough attention when driving it?)
One big mountain with smoke and the ground trembling beneath them - they’re in Pompeii, and “it’s volcano day”. Anyone who knows a little history knows that Pompeii gets destroyed, but what’s with the Sibylline? And there’s a prophecy that the blue box would come - this does not bode well for the Doctor.
Also not boding well is the fact that the TARDIS has disappeared:
Donna: You're kidding. Don't tell me the TARDIS is gone.
Doctor: Okay.
Donna: Where is it then?
Doctor: You told me not to tell you.
Donna: Don't get clever in Latin.
It’s been sold as ‘modern art’! I can sort of see how Caecilius could see the TARDIS as modern art - it would certainly not be something that everyone else had in their house. However, I must agree with Metella in that it is somewhat of a waste of space. I wouldn’t be able to fit one in my house.
Just a quick side point while being introduced to Quintus, the Pompeian family’s son - guys do not know how to move in a skirt…
So we come to the episode’s moral issue: do you let history happen and let all of Pompeii’s occupants die, or do you try to change things and save lives?
Doctor: It's 79 AD, 23 of August which makes Volcano Day tomorrow.
Donna: Plenty of time. We can get everyone out easy.
Doctor: Except we're not going to.
Donna: But that's what you do. You're the Doctor. You save people.
Doctor: But not this time. Pompeii is a fixed point in history. What happens happens. There is no stopping it.
Donna: Says who?
Doctor: Says me.
Donna: What, and you're in charge?
Doctor: TARDIS, Time Lord... yeah.
Donna: Donna, human... no! I don't need your permission. I'll tell them myself.
Doctor: You stand in the marketplace and announce the end of the world, they'll just think you're a mad old soothsayer. Now, come on. TARDIS, we are getting out of here.
Donna: Well, I just might have something to say about that, spaceman!
Doctor: Oh, I bet you will!
I can see both sides of the argument here. I can comprehend the idea of there being fixed points in history and things that just have to happen. Because, if the Doctor was to change every bad event that he came across, what would happen? Who could know what kind of chain reactions that could bring? When he did dare it in the Waters of Mars, things didn’t turn out well. As was brought out in that episode, no one should have that kind of power.
But to stand back and know that these people are going to die, and not do anything at all must hurt so very badly. So I can understand how Donna wants to do something - to do anything - that might save the lives of these people. The people would think her mad though because there’s no precedent - the danger that she would be warning of is so far fetched that it just wouldn’t be believed!
Again, short scenes like this makes me feel that the Doctor and Donna are so well matched. They are both trying to do what they feel is right. They just have different ideas and being strong characters they won’t just concede to the other’s point of view and instead make each other question what they believe.
Meanwhile, the Sibylline have been searching the oracles: “The blue box. A temple made of wood, and yet the sibyl foretold that the box would appear at the time of storms and fire and betrayal.” However, the High Priestess disagrees, instead predicting and endless empire of Pompeii. Something is clearly going wrong…
Going back to the Doctor and Donna, something which also makes them a good match is their sense of humour:
Caecilius: Who are you?
Doctor: I am... Spartacus.
Donna: And so am I.
Caecilius: Mr and Mrs Spartacus?
Doctor: Oh no, we're not married.
Donna: Not together.
Caecilius: Oh, then brother and sister? Yes, of course. You look very much alike.
Doctor & Donna: Really?
Firstly, I love the Spartacus reference (not that I’ve ever seen the film). I love the Doctor’s little pause before coming out with it, and how Donna can’t help but continue on with it. I also love that it backfires on them straight away, with them having to deny that they are a couple. Then their looks as Caecilius assumes that they’re related! Each seems somewhat shocked that someone could think that they look like each other.
TARDIS found! Although, before the Doctor makes them leave, Donna tries to save the family…
Donna: Although, while we're here, wouldn't you recommend a holiday, Spartacus?
Doctor: I don't know what you mean, Spartacus.
Donna: Oh, this lovely family, mother and father and son... Don't you think they should get out of town?
You can see the Doctor wishing that she would stop…
Donna’s trying to warn them about the volcano but Caecilius and his family don’t understand. The Doctor pulls her aside to try and explain the whole volcano situation again…
Doctor: They don't know what it is. Vesuvius is just a mountain to them. The top hasn't blown off yet. The Romans haven't even got a word for volcano. Not until tomorrow.
Donna: Oh great. They can learn a new word... when they die.
Doctor: Donna, stop it.
Donna: Listen, I don't know what sort of kids you've been flyin' around with in outer space, but you're not telling me to shut up. That boy... how old is he, sixteen? And tomorrow he burns to death.
Doctor: And that's my fault?
Donna: Right now, yes!
That’s how Donna sees the situation. It must be killing her knowing that everyone around her will die tomorrow but that she can’t do a thing about it. She doesn’t know the laws of time. All she knows is that the Doctor is able change things, but that he’s making no attempt to save anyone. So yes, right now, everyone dying is the Doctor’s fault.
That said, the Doctor must feel it too. Because he does know the laws of time and knows that he must not change history. There must be many terrible fixed points in history which the Doctor can’t change, but I suppose that being there and meeting those who will die makes the situation far more personal. It’s a heavy burden.
But there are still some opportunities for amusement:
Caecilius: Pardon me, sir, I have guests. This is Spartacus, and, uh, Spartacus.
Doctor and Donna both wave.
Lucius: A name is but a cloud upon a summer wind.
Doctor: But the wind is felt most keenly in the dark.
Lucius: Ah! What is the dark other than an omen of the sun?
Doctor: I concede that every sun must set...
Lucius: Ha!
Doctor: ...and yet the son of the father must also rise.
Lucius: Damn. Very clever, sir. Evidently a man of learning.
Doctor: Oh yes, but don't mind me. Don't want to disturb the status quo.
I must just interject and say that one of the qualities that I find most attractive in the Doctor is his intelligence. He truly does have a brilliant mind. But he does try to not interfere and disturb the status quo!
Lucius is a character that I do not like. The words of ‘wisdom’ which come out of him are more confusing than enlightening. He’s rather pompous and thinks a bit too highly of himself.
The Doctor’s curiosity is his downfall again. Just as he’s about to leave, Caecilius reveals a piece of marble which looks suspiciously like a piece of a circuit board…
Caecilius’ daughter Evelina appears accusing the Doctor and Donna of laughing at them. The ‘consuming of vapours’ looks to be taking a toll on her because she looks terrible. And Quintus shows his concern for her - he’s a good guy really - he just seems to have no direction in Pompeii.
Lucius considers Evelina to be a rival…
Lucius: The prophecies of women are limited and dull. Only the men folk have the capacity for true perception.
Donna: I'll tell you where the wind's blowing right now, mate.
… but Donna’s not taking any of that nonsense! Yay for Donna!
But there is certainly something going on in Pompeii, because the oracles and soothsayers know far too much. Much more than they should know.
Doctor: Consuming the vapours, you say?
Evelina: They give me strength.
Doctor: It doesn't look like it to me.
Evelina: Is that your opinion... as a doctor?
Doctor: I beg your pardon?
Evelina: Doctor. That's your name.
Doctor: How did you know that?
Evelina: And you, you call yourself noble.
Metella: Now then Evelina, don't be rude.
Doctor: No, no, no. Let her talk.
Evelina: You both come from so far away.
Lucius: A female soothsayer in inclined to invent all sorts of vagaries.
Doctor: Oh, not this time, Lucius. I reckon you've been out-soothsaid.
Lucius: Is that so... man from Gallifrey?
Doctor: What?
Lucius: Strangest of images. Your home is lost in fire, is it not?
Donna: Doctor, what are they doing?
Lucius: And you, daughter of... London.
Donna: How does he know that?
Lucius: This is the gift of Pompeii. Every single oracle tells the truth.
Donna: But that's impossible.
Lucius: Doctor, she is returning.
Doctor: Who is? Who's she?
Lucius: And you, Daughter of London... you have something on your back.
Donna: What's that mean?
Evelina: Even the word "Doctor" is false. Your real name is hidden. It burns in the stars of the cascade of Medusa herself. You are a lord, sir. A lord... of time...
Now that’s more than a little eerie. There’s a few points through this little section. How can they possibly know all of this? It seems to be more than just foretelling the future. They know the history of the Doctor and Donna. But there are some things foretold about the futures of the Doctor and Donna. Firstly “she is returning” - this thoroughly confuses the Doctor. And then Donna has something on her back - this is getting a bit too weird for her.
Turns out there was a great earthquake seventeen years ago:
Caecilius: An awful lot of damage but we rebuilt.
Doctor: Didn't you think of moving away? Oh, no, then again, San Francisco.
Sometimes we just don’t learn. I suppose those in Pompeii were the same.
It was after the earthquake that the soothsayers started making sense. They started predicting everything with absolute precision, but they haven’t said anything about Vesuvius erupting. It is very strange that they can see everything perfectly except for the volcano… The soothsayers breath in the vapours from Mount Vesuvius itself - that’s how they see - they’re breathing in Vesuvius.
The Doctor then ‘bribes’ Quintus into taking him to Lucius’ house. They slip inside to find a whole wall of marble circuit boards. And promptly get discovered by Lucius.
Meanwhile, Donna is speaking to Evelina: “Look, don’t tell the Doctor I said anything ‘cause he’ll kill me, but I’ve got prophecy too…” And she proceeds to tell Evelina everything about what’s going to happen. But Evelina has some sort of link to the Sisterhood, and they too hear what Donna has to say. The High Priestess demands that the ‘false prophet’ be sacrificed.
Back at Lucius’ place, the Doctor (complete with brainy specs) has rearranged the pieces of marble to create an energy converter. But he doesn’t know what it’s for:
Doctor: I don't know. Isn't that brilliant? I love not knowing, keeps me on my 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 out of life. But who designed this, Lucius? Hmm? Who gave you these instructions?
When Lucius refuses to answer, we find out why he’s been hiding his right arm. The Doctor snaps it off - it’s made of stone - “’armless enough, though!” And along comes the running…
But the Doctor and Quintus are being followed by some great strange stone creature. It crashes through into Caecilius’ house and everyone seems to be in awe as they think it’s some kind of God. Only Quintus keeps his wits about him and douses the creature in water, making it shatter into little pieces.
The creature may be defeated, but Donna has been captured by the Sibylline…
Donna: You have got to be kidding me.
Spurrina: The false prophet will surrender both her blood and her breath.
Donna: I'll surrender you in a minute. Don't you dare!
Spurrina: You will be silent.
Donna: You might have eyes on the back of our hands but you'll have eyes in the back of your head by the time I finish with you! Let me... go!
Spurrina: This prattling will cease... forever.
She raises dagger above her head in preparation to strike.
Doctor: Oh, that'll be the day.
Spurrina: No man is allowed to enter the Temple of Sybil.
Doctor: Oh, that's all right, just us girls. (starts to walk towards them) Do you know, I met the Sibyl once. Hell of a woman. Blimey, she could dance a tarantella. Truth be told, I think she had a bit of a thing for me. I said it would never last. She said, "I know". Well, she would. (stops in front of altar) You all right there?
Donna: Oh, never better.
Doctor: I like the toga.
He reaches into his pocket and takes out the sonic screwdriver.
Donna: Thank you. And the ropes?
Doctor: Eh, not so much.
He uses the screwdriver on the ropes.
The High Priestess then asks to see the Doctor - “he carries starlight in his wake” - I love that expression. When the High Priestess is revealed, we see that she has been turned almost completely to stone. She can still move, slowly and painfully, but she looks like a stone carving. But she believes that it is a blessing from the Gods. They must have such faith to believe that turning into stone is a blessing, but I suppose Rome and Pompeii were much more superstitious and religious then we are today.
“The people of Pompeii are turning to stone before the volcano erupts” - and we still don’t know why the soothsayers can predict everything except the volcano… But there is some creature inside the stone, something that the High Priestess is becoming. And the Doctor does not know what they are: “Name yourself. Planet of origin, galactic coordinates, species designation according to the universal ratification of the Shadow Proclamation. Side question - has the Shadow Proclamation been mentioned prior to series 4? I have no recollection of it.
So the Pyrovile have arrived on Earth. But never fear, the Doctor is armed… with a water pistol! Okay, so we learn that they fell to Earth, shattered into dust, and are now using humans to reconstitute themselves. But the psychic powers:
High Priestess / Pyrovile: We opened their minds and found such gifts.
Doctor: Fine, so you force yourself inside a human brain, use their latent psychic talent, I get that, yeah, but seeing the future, that is way beyond psychic.
Is the Doctor saying that we as humans have some psychic ability? And if so, what psychic ability can he be referring to? Being able to read another person’s mind? In any case, we still don’t know how they can see through time and foretell the future, because the Doctor has to escape
Spurrina: Sisters, I see into his mind. The weapon is harmless.
Doctor: Yeah, but it's got a sting!
Donna: You fought her off with a water pistol. I bloody love you.
I bloody love that he fought them off with a water pistol too! I wonder what else he might have hidden away in those pockets of his. And for the record, I believe that his pockets are definitely bigger on the inside.
Doctor: This way.
Donna: Where are we going now?
Doctor: Into the volcano.
Donna: No way.
Doctor: Yes way. (twirls pistol) Appian way.
I actually had to look up the Appian way reference. I didn’t study history in high school although it’s times like these that make me want to learn more. Actually, quite often when I’m watching Doctor Who I want to learn more. I suppose that’s something to be said about Doctor Who as a program - it makes you open your mind and makes you want to know more and gather more information. I love it! Although, I’ve gotten the quotes from on online script and that’s where it says ‘Appian way’. The subtitles on my DVD say ‘have it your way’ but it sounds nothing like that! It’s a proper DVD too so I’m surprised that the subtitles are so strange…
And so volcano day dawns, the mountain is worse than ever, and the prophecy advances:
Evelina: I can see...
Metella: What is it?
Evelina: A choice. Someone must make a choice. The most terrible choice.
Back in the tunnels under Vesuvius, Donna is still trying to get the Doctor to save Pompeii:
Donna: But if it's aliens setting off the volcano, doesn't that make it all right? For you to stop it?
Doctor: Still part of history.
Donna: Well, I'm history too. You saved me in 2008. You saved us all. Why is that different?
Doctor: Some things are fixed, some things are in flux. Pompeii is fixed.
Donna: How do you know which is which?
Doctor: Because that's how I see the universe. Every waking second, I can see what is, what was... what could be, what must not. That's the burden of the Time Lord, Donna. I'm the only one left.
Donna: How many people died?
Doctor: Stop it!
Donna: Doctor! (he stops and turns) How many people died?
Doctor: Twenty thousand.
Donna: Is that what you can see, Doctor? All twenty thousand? And you think that's all right, do you?
I don’t think that the Doctor thinks ‘that’s all right’. I think that he’s trying not to think about it. He usually is able to wield such power and usually has the ability to change so many things. But with Pompeii being a ‘fixed’ event, it’s an though he’s been stripped of his power. It’s as though at heart he wants to change how the story ends but he knows that he can’t. That change is something which ‘must not’. I think that he simply doesn’t want to be reminded of how powerless he is because that reminds him of the lives he can’t save.
The Doctor and Donna are finding out more about what the Pyrovile are up to…
Doctor: What's that thing?
He takes out a small collapsible telescope.
Donna: Well, you'd better hurry up and think of something. Rocky IV's on its way.
But the Pyrovile are after them and the Doctor is again forced to take arms so that he and Donna can flee:
I love the water pistol, I really do!
Doctor: Now then, Lucius. My lord Pyrovillian... don't get yourselves in a lava. (looks at Donna) In a lava... no?
Donna: No.
Doctor: No.
I still don’t get this reference! Can anyone explain it to me? Whatever it is, it’s gone straight over my head.
Now we get both episode plot points, and teasers for the series arc:
Donna: But if you've crashed... and you've got all this technology, why don't you just go home?
Lucius: The heaven of Pyrovillia is gone.
Doctor: What do you mean "gone"? Where's it gone?
Lucius: It was taken. Pyrovillia is lost.
How does a planet just disappear? That’s the second reference to missing planets this season. Last episode it was the Adiposian breeding planet, and not it’s Pyrovillia…
The Pyrovile intend to take over the planet and apparently for the Doctor “that’s all I needed to know”. And the Doctor and Donna disappear into the little alien pod that the Pyrovile arrived in.
Donna: Little bit hot.
Doctor: See, the energy converted takes the lava, uses the power to create a fusion matrix which wields Pyrovile to human. Now it's complete, they can convert millions.
Donna: Well, can you change it... with these controls?
Doctor: 'Course I can, but don't you see? That's why the soothsayers can't see the volcano. There is no volcano. Vesuvius is never going to erupt. The Pyrovile are stealing all its power. They're gonna use it to take over the world.
Donna: But you can change it back.
Doctor: Well, I can avert the system, so the volcano will blow them up, yes, but... that's the choice, Donna. It's Pompeii or the world.
Donna: Oh my God.
Doctor: If Pompeii is destroyed, then it's not just history, it's me. I make it happen.
Donna: But the Pyrovile are made of rock. Maybe they can't be blown up.
Doctor: (working on machinery) Vesuvius explodes with the force of 24 nuclear bombs. Nothing can survive it. Certainly not us.
Donna: Never mind us.
Doctor: (puts his hands on the lever) Push this lever and it's all over. Twenty thousand people.
So they push the lever together and they have to. But what a terrible choice to have to make (Evelina was right). To choose between 20,000 people or the entire world. On paper it’s a logical choice - you would sacrifice 20,000 to save billions - but to actually have to make that choice. The Doctor knows that it is the right choice, but you can see that it’s a choice that he doesn’t want to make. He dislikes that it’s him forced to make that choice.
I think the pain is also because saving the rest of the planet is not what he does in this instance (bear with me as I try to explain my logic). What he chooses to do is allow the volcano to erupt. The deaths of everyone in Pompeii is the direct consequence of his choice. The saving of the rest of the Earth is a secondary result. The Doctor didn’t ‘choose to save the Earth’, he chose to let 20,000 die in the eruption of Vesuvius so that history would go back into place.
But he has Donna with him, and she seems to begin to understand. Despite all of her protests about saving the people of Pompeii, she also understands the choice that needs to be made and, although she’s devastated by it, she has the strength to stand by the Doctor and make that choice with him. Rewatching it now, it is a beautiful moment - both wishing they didn’t have to do this, but together sadly resolved to do what they must. Although I believe that the Doctor will always blame himself, he’s not alone - Donna is willing to accept with him responsibility for causing Vesuvius to erupt.
Evelina now says that “the future is changing”, although for us, it now goes back to the history as we’ve always known it. Vesuvius erupts and it shoots the pod with the Doctor and Donna in it into the air. (My subtitles here say: (Donna screaming)!)
I think the Doctor Who crew and production team have done a really good job with this eruption sequence. The shot of the volcano erupting looks quite realistic so good job to the CGI team. Then the shots through the streets of Pompeii with the wind and the ash are very well done too.
And still through it all Donna is trying to save people: “Don’t go to the beach! Go to the hills! Listen to me! Don’t go to the beach! It’s not safe!” The Doctor has to pull her along - he knows she’s right of course, but he also knows that the people will not listen to her.
They race through to the TARDIS in Caecilius’ house and see the family huddling in the corner. My DVDs say the Caecilius here says “you can’t save us Doctor”, however the transcript says “Gods save us Doctor”. I’m going to agree with the transcript. And the Doctor seems to consider it for a moment. It’s almost as though in that moment, he’s thinking that he hasn’t been able to save anyone, that he’s no God and he can’t save this family either. So he runs to the TARDIS but Donna tries to call him back before following him:
Donna: You can't just leave them!
Doctor: Don't you think I've done enough? History's back in place and everyone dies.
Donna: You've got to go back! Doctor, I am telling you, take this thing back!
Donna: It's not fair.
Doctor: No, it's not.
Donna: But your own planet, it burned.
Doctor: That's just it. Don't you see, Donna? Can't you understand? If I could go back and save them then I would, but I can't. I can never go back! I can't! I just... can't!
Doctor: …I can't…
Donna: Just someone. Please. Not the whole town. Just save someone.
I don’t think the Doctor is feeling particularly proud of himself at the moment. He’s taking far too much upon himself. Yes, it was him (and Donna) that pushed the lever that made Vesuvius erupt, but he would not have had to make that choice if the Pyrovile hadn’t tried to take over the Earth. And it’s not fair. It’s not fair that they had to make that choice. And it’s not fair that the Doctor can travel through time but he can’t go back and save Gallifrey. We don’t really know what happened during the Time War, but I have my own ideas, and in those ideas, the Doctor had to leave behind a huge part of his life when the Time War ended. So I think that the whole helplessness he feels while in Pompeii reminds him of how helpless he was when Gallifrey burned.
But Donna is able to convince him that not everyone needs to die. That while the event itself is fixed, the lives of everyone in the town don’t have to be fixed. So he returns (with the TARDIS interior lighting set to ‘hero’ mode and with a gorgeous soundtrack):
Doctor: Come with me.
They stand overlooking a great cloud of ash roll over Pompeii while the Doctor tells Caecilius that they will never be forgotten. And Evelina’s visions are gone and the Doctor gives the explanation as to why: “The explosion was so powerful, it cracked open a rift in time. Just for a second. That’s what gave you the gift of prophecy. It echoed back into the Pyrovillian alternative. But not any more. You’re free.” I still don’t completely understand what he means - if the explosion he refers to is the eruption of Vesuvius, how did the soothsayers see the future before the eruption? What does ‘echo back into the Pyrovillian alternative’ mean? I’m going to assume that, because time is wibbly wobbly, the rift in time did happen in the eruption, the ability to see time went backwards, it was the Pyrovile that had the ability of capturing the knowledge from the rift and they ‘conveyed’ that knowledge to the soothsayers through the inhaling in of the vapours.
Donna and the Doctor leave with the Doctor admitting to Donna: “You were right. Sometimes I need someone.” He sometimes needs someone to remind him that his way and his plans are not always right just because he’s brilliant. Someone to remind him that maybe sometimes he’s wrong. And I think that Donna is a good companion to him in that way. So onwards they go.
Caecilius and his family have survived and their lives go on. Caecilius is bidding for work in Alexandria. Metella is standing firmly behind her husband. Evelina is wearing short skirts and going out to see boys. And Quintus is studying to be a doctor - he’s got a purpose now.
Quintus: Thank you, household gods. Thank you for everything.
Overall, the episode was a bit mixed for me although I did like the episode. I loved the setting in Pompeii and the moral dilemma of whether or not to change history. However I thought the plot was a bit complicated - I still don’t quite understand some parts. The progression of the Doctor’s and Donna’s relationship was good - challenging each other the entire way, and also coming to a better understanding of each other.
Next time is The Planet of the Ood (which I remember loving), but stay tuned because I intend to picspam the Confidential for this episode - I haven’t been able to find screencaps I liked online, so I’m capping it myself and it’s taking a while since I’ve never capped before! It should be up in the next couple of days though.
Screencaps from disparue.org, Demon-Cry, Sonic Biro, Tennant-Photos.com and Doctor Who Screencaps
Transcript from Doctor Who Transcripts