New Who 4.2, The Fires of Pompeii

[strange_complex]

Yes, that was an episode on top of its game, all right. I know it had some things in it that people are tired of by now - like the Doctor-as-Christ references in the white light spilling around him as he saves the Caecilius family, and the shot of him reaching out for Caecilius' hand like God and Adam on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. But even those

Comments

[pickwick]

Excellent, I was waiting for this, and I'm glad there weren't any glaring errors or anachronisms that I missed.

Household gods always make me think of the Dalemark Quartet before the Romans. I really must read more history and less fantasy.

And seismic television indeed, ha!

[strange_complex]

*boom-tish!*

Glad you enjoyed the write-up. I shall be popping over to read yours in a moment.

[ingenious76]

Fabulous review, and I loved the episode. If this gets more kids interested in Roman History beyond Gladiators, I'll be a very happy bunny.

[strange_complex]

Thanks, and definitely! I shall be seeing if I can slip some references to it into my 'City in the Roman World' lectures this coming week.

[ingenious76]

Its unfortunate I finished teaching this module to my Sevens in January, but as soon as its out on DVD, I will be buying it and using it as a teaching resource. Kids like Doctor Who (well, the ones I teach!) and if it gets more of them interested, it can only be a good thing.

[ixwin]

I presumed the reference to a thirteenth Sybilline book was deliberate - implying that this was some extra, secret, hidden book of prophecy that was distinct from the other 12.

[ixwin]

Oh, hang on, reading the link it sounds like there were originally 9, not 12 so I see your point (serves me right for getting my knowledge via the version of the story in Douglas Adams' Last Chance to See)

[strange_complex]

Ah, but thanks for drawing my attention to the fact that there's a popular version of the story in circulation which features twelve books instead of nine, nonetheless! Now I know that, I think you're absolutely right in saying that there were trying to imply it was an extra book, kept back by the Sibyl for her own purposes. Working from a basis of nine books as I was, though, it just didn't make sense!

[ixwin]

There's a copy of Adams' version online here

[owlfish]

The one time I noticed an oil lamp in use, it was being used by Caecilius over the glowing lavic fumes of the household vent.

[strange_complex]

I don't think I even spotted that one! I shall be looking out for these things a bit more carefully on a second viewing.

[owlfish]

It struck me because it seemed a really unnecessary moment to need additional lighting.

[strange_complex]

Indeed!

[qatsi]

Lucius Petrus Dextrus

Doh! I should have spotted that!

[strange_complex]

Hey, that's what LJ is for. :-)