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Big Finish: Monthly Range #12
Doctor Who: The Fires of Vulcan
Two thousand years ago, a volcanic eruption wiped the Roman city of Pompeii from the face of the Earth. It also buried the Doctor's TARDIS...
Arriving in Pompeii one day before the disaster, the Doctor and Mel find themselves separated from their ship and entangled in local politics. As time runs out, they fight to escape from the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. But how can they succeed when history itself is working against them?
Chronological Placement
This story takes place between the television adventures, Delta and the Bannermen and Dragonfire.
Arriving in Pompeii one day before the disaster, the Doctor and Mel find themselves separated from their ship and entangled in local politics. As time runs out, they fight to escape from the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. But how can they succeed when history itself is working against them?
Chronological Placement
This story takes place between the television adventures, Delta and the Bannermen and Dragonfire.
Audio Play
First published September 1, 2000
4 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Steve Lyons
186 books106 followersSteve Lyons is a science fiction writer, best known for writing television tie-ins of Doctor Who for BBC Books, and previously, Virgin. The earliest of these was Conundrum in 1994, and his most recent was 2005's The Stealers of Dreams. He has also written material for Star Trek tie-ins, as well as original work.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 25, 2019
The Seventh Doctor and Mel arrive in Pompeii the day before Mount Vesuvius is due to erupt.
The Time Lord knows that during he’s Fifth incarnation that UNIT uncovered he’s TARDIS in the ruins of the city during the 1980’s...
This is a great great historical adventure, McCoy really conveys the sense of doom as it appears that The Doctor and Mel will soon be trapped, especially with the eruption imminent.
A clever Timey-Wimey story with a great supporting cast help bring the time period vividly to life.
Complex enough to keep the listed hooked, this TARDIS team work so well on audio!
The Time Lord knows that during he’s Fifth incarnation that UNIT uncovered he’s TARDIS in the ruins of the city during the 1980’s...
This is a great great historical adventure, McCoy really conveys the sense of doom as it appears that The Doctor and Mel will soon be trapped, especially with the eruption imminent.
A clever Timey-Wimey story with a great supporting cast help bring the time period vividly to life.
Complex enough to keep the listed hooked, this TARDIS team work so well on audio!
February 23, 2023
'This is your history and no good can come of our meddling with it.’-The Doctor
‘It doesn’t seem fair.’ - Mel
‘Time never is, Mel.’-The Doctor
The 7th Doctor and Mel arrive in Pompeii, just before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. I enjoyed the story and it was good that there was no alien invasion, no other goings ons. It was purely just nature taking cause, pure history. I kept waiting for the 10th Doctor and Donna to turn up, even though the story was written before the tv episode.
‘It doesn’t seem fair.’ - Mel
‘Time never is, Mel.’-The Doctor
The 7th Doctor and Mel arrive in Pompeii, just before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. I enjoyed the story and it was good that there was no alien invasion, no other goings ons. It was purely just nature taking cause, pure history. I kept waiting for the 10th Doctor and Donna to turn up, even though the story was written before the tv episode.
July 2, 2019
Listening to Doctor Who: The Fires of Vulcan and lmao, they have Andy Coleman aka Andred and Steve Wickham (Jospeh/Valyes) as gladiators in pompeii in this audio.
Now I’m just imagining an audio with Andred and Valyes stuck together on Volcano day which makes it amusing.
-
The eruption had nothing to do with me. I just seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, as usual…
—
The Seventh Doctor in the Fires of Vulcan about Vesuvius on Volcano day.
Oh, Doctor…just wait for three regenerations down the line and just you see.
Now I’m just imagining an audio with Andred and Valyes stuck together on Volcano day which makes it amusing.
-
The eruption had nothing to do with me. I just seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, as usual…
—
The Seventh Doctor in the Fires of Vulcan about Vesuvius on Volcano day.
Oh, Doctor…just wait for three regenerations down the line and just you see.
April 11, 2023
Oh what a joy this was, all things considered of the story setting of Pompei before it's sad destruction, we get treated to a pure historical story, something i never thought we would see again in modern doctor who, no aliens, no tech, nothing. Just pure historical, with loads of moral questions about time travel and not being able to change things that already have been, it's outstanding and im glad they used Sylvester McCoys doctor for this as he suits best the dark and more mature storys, his voice really makes you feel invested in the sad adventure he takes you on
November 21, 2019
I really enjoyed this audio. I kept waiting for them to run into the 10th Doctor as he was there too in "Fires of Pompeii" but alas. Mel was brilliant in this. I love her feisty spirit.
September 9, 2022
This is everything a good a Doctor Who should be. It was riveting and enjoyable from beginning to end.
December 4, 2025
This story is an odd one, given there isn’t chance any Dr Who fan regards this as the most significant Pompeii story the show has ever done. Although the 10th Doctor story is more famous, the overplayed cliches and the guilt tripping plus other eye-rolling soppiness; makes that one really great. This story was very different for many reasons, it is a lot more understated and really focuses on characters rather than screaming ‘VOLCANO’ in your face every 45 seconds. This story is hardly anything special but it was fairly fun, the odd ideas such as having the 7th Doctor be so depressed throughout, gave the story something different. I’ve never been a big fan of Mel but here she was actually really good, her optimism is played down with subtlety, she isn’t screaming at every passing thing, most importantly actually was useful. The 7th Doctor is doing his Machiavelli thing so having her lead the story and doing it well really surprised me.
The other characters in the story really were blatant tropes and didn’t really do much more than serve their purpose to the plot. There’s people who are bad and trying to kill the Tardis team, comedic relief, the attempting to make you emotional ones… Safe to say it is a complete set of archetypes and really it is only thanks to the fact they are written well and have good dialogue that saves them from complete redundancy. The plot isn’t much to write home about is arguably one of the weakest things about the story, given the narrative of the Doctor and Mel ‘engaged in local politics is a mad exaggeration’. All it is some people taking exception to them, a bit of conflict and then everyone bar the Tardis team are melted by lava. The conflict is really meant to camouflage the fact that the there isn’t really a clear direction the narrative going on, especially considering that the Doctor effectively goes ‘nah’ and then the antagonists back off (to then be melted by lava).
The story is okay from a technical perspective, and the story is definitely perfectly imbued with background music; but oddly enough the sound design is really lacking. This one really doesn’t feel like these characters are at the foot of a volcano, there really isn’t much of an element of suspense created by sound effects. Of course the dialogue carries most of the weight of establishing locations and what is occurring, but the relative silence bar the music just makes the story feel a bit empty. Beyond that my only other main criticism would be that this crux the story relies on (the Tardis being found in the future and that supposedly implying they don’t get out of Pompeii) is mediocre at best. All it contributes to the plot is that the Doctor is more distraught than usual and doesn’t actually do that much because he’s so sad. It is a weird creative decision, and considering the fact that they easily escape their ‘perilous’ situation, makes the actual stakes in the story redundant.
All in all, the story coasts along fine and the story feels decent, but it really is unremarkable. I hardly feel like I never want to listen to it again, but don’t really foresee any circumstances of me wanting to really put it on in future. I do love that Mel has a lot more depth to her character here than she did on TV, but I still don’t like her that much so I wasn’t exactly in massive suspense about her and the Doctor escaping. I recommend it to fellow fans who savour every second of Sylvester Mccoy in the role, but other than that not much.
The other characters in the story really were blatant tropes and didn’t really do much more than serve their purpose to the plot. There’s people who are bad and trying to kill the Tardis team, comedic relief, the attempting to make you emotional ones… Safe to say it is a complete set of archetypes and really it is only thanks to the fact they are written well and have good dialogue that saves them from complete redundancy. The plot isn’t much to write home about is arguably one of the weakest things about the story, given the narrative of the Doctor and Mel ‘engaged in local politics is a mad exaggeration’. All it is some people taking exception to them, a bit of conflict and then everyone bar the Tardis team are melted by lava. The conflict is really meant to camouflage the fact that the there isn’t really a clear direction the narrative going on, especially considering that the Doctor effectively goes ‘nah’ and then the antagonists back off (to then be melted by lava).
The story is okay from a technical perspective, and the story is definitely perfectly imbued with background music; but oddly enough the sound design is really lacking. This one really doesn’t feel like these characters are at the foot of a volcano, there really isn’t much of an element of suspense created by sound effects. Of course the dialogue carries most of the weight of establishing locations and what is occurring, but the relative silence bar the music just makes the story feel a bit empty. Beyond that my only other main criticism would be that this crux the story relies on (the Tardis being found in the future and that supposedly implying they don’t get out of Pompeii) is mediocre at best. All it contributes to the plot is that the Doctor is more distraught than usual and doesn’t actually do that much because he’s so sad. It is a weird creative decision, and considering the fact that they easily escape their ‘perilous’ situation, makes the actual stakes in the story redundant.
All in all, the story coasts along fine and the story feels decent, but it really is unremarkable. I hardly feel like I never want to listen to it again, but don’t really foresee any circumstances of me wanting to really put it on in future. I do love that Mel has a lot more depth to her character here than she did on TV, but I still don’t like her that much so I wasn’t exactly in massive suspense about her and the Doctor escaping. I recommend it to fellow fans who savour every second of Sylvester Mccoy in the role, but other than that not much.
January 15, 2021
Part1
ドクターとメルはAD79年8月23日のポンペイに到着。ターディスの到着を目撃してしまった若者ティブナスに日付けをきいてドクターの様子がおかしくなる。メルはドクターがここに止まりたくないのかと尋ねるが、ドクターはメルに決断を委ねる。メルはせっかくなので少し散策することを選ぶ。街を歩いているとメルは何者かに付けられていると感じる。メルの服装が人目を引くので目立たないところに行こうとするが、この時代で使えるお金がない。ドクターはグラディエーターたちがダイスで賭け事をしているのを見つけ参加する。賭けに勝ちお金を儲けたドクターはメルにこの時代に合う服を買いに行くよういう。メルはアグレに案内され買い物に出かける。しかしヴェスヴィオ火山が噴煙をあげtたかと思うと大きな地震が街を襲う。メルとドクターはターディスでポンペイを去ることにすりが、ターディスは地震で崩れた建物の瓦礫に埋もれてしまっていた。
Part2
ドクターは5番目の身体の時にUNITからポンペイの遺跡でターディスを発見したという報告を受けていた。ただ、ドクターは自分の未来を知りすぎたくないと思い、その時には発掘されたターディスを見なかった。そしてここに着くまでそのことを忘れてしまっていた。この先、2000年経過しないと誰もターディスを見ることはないとドクターに聞かされ、メルは衝撃を受ける。ドクターはこれが自分最後だと諦めモードだがメルはこのまま諦める気はなかった。
その頃、女神アイシスのメッセンジャーがポンペイにいるという噂に、アイシスの神殿を建てた権力者が動揺していた。真偽を問うためその噂のメッセンジャーを見つけようとする。メルが探しものをしているときき、アグレは困った時は助けてくれるとアイシスの神殿に連れて行く。神殿ではちょうど生贄を捧げる儀式の最中だった。メルは儀式を見てられなくて去ろうとしたが、神殿のポピディウスにディナーに誘われる。メルとドクターはポピディウスとイマキュアとディナーを共にするが、イマキュアはドクターとメルがアイシスの使いかどうかの真偽を執拗に追求され、2人は探し物を手伝うというオファーも断り去る。ドクターはメルをポンペイから遠ざけようとするがメルは聞かない。そこにイマキュアはメルに窃盗の罪をきせ逮捕し、連れ去ってしまう。
Part3
ドクターはメルを助けるためアグレに協力を求める。その頃、ポプディウスがメルに助けたいので信用して全て正直に話して欲しいと言ってくる。メルはポプディウスが自分が窃盗していないことを認めてくれたので信用する気にはなるが、これからポンペイに起こることを話すことはためらう。ドクターはメルを助けるため牢に忍び込むがポプディウスと出くわしてしまう。ドクターは催眠術でポプディウスを眠らせ、メルとともに逃げ出す。ドクターはメルにアグレを連れてポンペイを離れるように言う。メルはいやがるが、ドクターはターディスを取り戻して必ず迎えにいくからと強引に説得して、2人を行かせる。しかし、街の門が開くのを待っている間に警備兵にメルとアグレは捕まってしまう。メルはポプディウスに助けを求める。
Part4
ドクターがグラディエーターから決闘を強いられている頃、ターディスのありかを突き止めたメル。しかし、既に噴火の時が目前に迫っていた。
感想
ポンペイに到着して以降、これが最期とドクターが諦めモードだったので、ここで終わらないことはわかっていてもどうやって切り抜けるのかと最後の最後までハラハラさせられた。特に最終章は巨大な災害に見舞われた登場人物がそれぞれの信念やこだわりで運命を左右していく重大な決断を下して行く。大災害の前にそれらのこだわりはひどくちっぽけで、無意味なものに感じられ、どうしようもなく悲しくなってくるが、こういったことを繰り返しながらもたくましく生き延び、悲喜こもごもの営みが続いていることに純粋に感動を覚える。ドクターもメルとの約束を守ることにこだわったおかげで、ずっと見えなかった答えを見つけることができた。非力なようで人の想いの持つパワーはやっぱりすごいと思えるのも嬉しい。
ドクターとメルはAD79年8月23日のポンペイに到着。ターディスの到着を目撃してしまった若者ティブナスに日付けをきいてドクターの様子がおかしくなる。メルはドクターがここに止まりたくないのかと尋ねるが、ドクターはメルに決断を委ねる。メルはせっかくなので少し散策することを選ぶ。街を歩いているとメルは何者かに付けられていると感じる。メルの服装が人目を引くので目立たないところに行こうとするが、この時代で使えるお金がない。ドクターはグラディエーターたちがダイスで賭け事をしているのを見つけ参加する。賭けに勝ちお金を儲けたドクターはメルにこの時代に合う服を買いに行くよういう。メルはアグレに案内され買い物に出かける。しかしヴェスヴィオ火山が噴煙をあげtたかと思うと大きな地震が街を襲う。メルとドクターはターディスでポンペイを去ることにすりが、ターディスは地震で崩れた建物の瓦礫に埋もれてしまっていた。
Part2
ドクターは5番目の身体の時にUNITからポンペイの遺跡でターディスを発見したという報告を受けていた。ただ、ドクターは自分の未来を知りすぎたくないと思い、その時には発掘されたターディスを見なかった。そしてここに着くまでそのことを忘れてしまっていた。この先、2000年経過しないと誰もターディスを見ることはないとドクターに聞かされ、メルは衝撃を受ける。ドクターはこれが自分最後だと諦めモードだがメルはこのまま諦める気はなかった。
その頃、女神アイシスのメッセンジャーがポンペイにいるという噂に、アイシスの神殿を建てた権力者が動揺していた。真偽を問うためその噂のメッセンジャーを見つけようとする。メルが探しものをしているときき、アグレは困った時は助けてくれるとアイシスの神殿に連れて行く。神殿ではちょうど生贄を捧げる儀式の最中だった。メルは儀式を見てられなくて去ろうとしたが、神殿のポピディウスにディナーに誘われる。メルとドクターはポピディウスとイマキュアとディナーを共にするが、イマキュアはドクターとメルがアイシスの使いかどうかの真偽を執拗に追求され、2人は探し物を手伝うというオファーも断り去る。ドクターはメルをポンペイから遠ざけようとするがメルは聞かない。そこにイマキュアはメルに窃盗の罪をきせ逮捕し、連れ去ってしまう。
Part3
ドクターはメルを助けるためアグレに協力を求める。その頃、ポプディウスがメルに助けたいので信用して全て正直に話して欲しいと言ってくる。メルはポプディウスが自分が窃盗していないことを認めてくれたので信用する気にはなるが、これからポンペイに起こることを話すことはためらう。ドクターはメルを助けるため牢に忍び込むがポプディウスと出くわしてしまう。ドクターは催眠術でポプディウスを眠らせ、メルとともに逃げ出す。ドクターはメルにアグレを連れてポンペイを離れるように言う。メルはいやがるが、ドクターはターディスを取り戻して必ず迎えにいくからと強引に説得して、2人を行かせる。しかし、街の門が開くのを待っている間に警備兵にメルとアグレは捕まってしまう。メルはポプディウスに助けを求める。
Part4
ドクターがグラディエーターから決闘を強いられている頃、ターディスのありかを突き止めたメル。しかし、既に噴火の時が目前に迫っていた。
感想
ポンペイに到着して以降、これが最期とドクターが諦めモードだったので、ここで終わらないことはわかっていてもどうやって切り抜けるのかと最後の最後までハラハラさせられた。特に最終章は巨大な災害に見舞われた登場人物がそれぞれの信念やこだわりで運命を左右していく重大な決断を下して行く。大災害の前にそれらのこだわりはひどくちっぽけで、無意味なものに感じられ、どうしようもなく悲しくなってくるが、こういったことを繰り返しながらもたくましく生き延び、悲喜こもごもの営みが続いていることに純粋に感動を覚える。ドクターもメルとの約束を守ることにこだわったおかげで、ずっと見えなかった答えを見つけることができた。非力なようで人の想いの持つパワーはやっぱりすごいと思えるのも嬉しい。
December 7, 2016
Pompei, il Dottore e una companion dai capelli rossi e che non fa mai quello che le si dice sono un mix pericoloso... anche se non sono la coppia che la maggior parte dei fan si sta immaginando.
Il settimo Dottore e Mel si trovano a Pompei il giorno prima dell'eruzione e, per i soliti problemi di fatti futuri già osservati e quindi immodificabili, sembra certo che non potranno andarsene prima che sia troppo tardi.
Conosco la coppia Mel/Settimo Dottore solo molto suerficialmente (devo studiare), ma l'interazione è buona e Bonnie non ha urlato così tanto come sembra aver fatto in video.
La trama è abbastanza prevedibile, è comunque il Vulcano Day, e la risoluzione del problema troppo rapida e vista solo in prospettiva, raccontata dai due alla fine della vicenda.
Per ora buona parte delle prime storie dimostra il costante miglioramento delle produzioni Big Finish.
Il settimo Dottore e Mel si trovano a Pompei il giorno prima dell'eruzione e, per i soliti problemi di fatti futuri già osservati e quindi immodificabili, sembra certo che non potranno andarsene prima che sia troppo tardi.
Conosco la coppia Mel/Settimo Dottore solo molto suerficialmente (devo studiare), ma l'interazione è buona e Bonnie non ha urlato così tanto come sembra aver fatto in video.
La trama è abbastanza prevedibile, è comunque il Vulcano Day, e la risoluzione del problema troppo rapida e vista solo in prospettiva, raccontata dai due alla fine della vicenda.
Per ora buona parte delle prime storie dimostra il costante miglioramento delle produzioni Big Finish.
February 4, 2020
This was a weird little adventure for the Seventh Doctor and Melanie Bush as the end up in Pompeii before the eruption (a common time travel trope in itself). Because of the fact that the TARDIs had been unearth in the ruins of Pompeii in the 80's. the Doctor is somehow convinced that he and Mel are fated to go down with the rest of the city in order to fulfill the future event of archeologists discovering the TARDIS. But he doesn't immediately admit this temporal constraint to Mel and instead goes about exploring the city, cheating a gladiator for coin in order to get Mel proper attire and all of them being confused for heralds for the cult of Isis or something along those lines. It has a lot of odd twists and turns that sort of align Classic Doctor Who narrative conceits but it's just not all that strong a story as a whole.
February 3, 2022
The premise of this story was quiet a surprise to me. I had no idea the Doctor had a previous adventure in Pompei near/ at the day of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The only one I was aware of was during David Tennent’s tenure as the Doctor in The Fires of Pompei an adventure he shared with his companion Donna.
The Fires of Vulcan featured Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor and Bonnie Langford as Mel, his companion. The story was unusual in the modern era of Doctor Who because it was a pure historical story. Absolutely, no aliens or alien tech appeared in the story. I found this very refreshing. It seems that in every modern Doctor Who historical they can not pull together together a story without the conceit of aliens or
The Fires of Vulcan featured Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor and Bonnie Langford as Mel, his companion. The story was unusual in the modern era of Doctor Who because it was a pure historical story. Absolutely, no aliens or alien tech appeared in the story. I found this very refreshing. It seems that in every modern Doctor Who historical they can not pull together together a story without the conceit of aliens or
June 13, 2022
A Seven and Mel story, which was fun - I don't think I'd heard one of those yet. I don't have much to say about it, it was just a pretty competently made pure historical story. The voice acting was mostly great, but the voice Steven Wickham did for Murranus was... a choice. The plot was a little bit dragged out, the characters were a little annoying, the emotive reaction to Vesuvius' eruption was a little too muted, and only Nicky Goldie's Valeria made any attempt to sound like she was being choked by volcanic ash. The idea of the characters fighting against time was fairly interesting but didn't amount to much in the end.
November 19, 2019
Another one of those where my memory suggested it wasn't a good listen, but re-listening to it this was quite enjoyable. It is a nice straight historical - which I miss with the modern version of Doctor Who on TV - it always seems to need to add some sci-fi element to it. But this story shows that you don't need sci-fi to create a compelling story full of tension, amusement and drama. Mel in especially good form here, showing her strong side with determination and never giving up. The Doctor a bit less so here, a little out of character I felt but overall still a good story.
September 8, 2024
The Doctor visits Pompei. Though it might seem a bit of a throwaway idea, it is actually handled quite well. There are a few "adult" elements snuck in, which goes in line with treating the Romans more historically accurately than in "The Romans." A real bonus is good writing for Mel and strong performance by Bonnie Langford. On the downside, we have a rather stock villain priestess and an overacted gladiator. Still, the good outweighs the bad.
February 10, 2022
I am so excited about the discovery of all the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary shorts which are done by all the authors I already love. It's like the perfect match. I have really enjoyed the variety of worlds and troubles that these adventures explore. I hope to read them all one day.
This retro story was not as interesting as I wanted it to be.
This retro story was not as interesting as I wanted it to be.
May 17, 2017
The return of Mel and the melting of Pompeii. Possibly the last journey they'll ever make. Well, of course it isn't - but the fact that the Doctor thinks so for a while is what makes the story interesting.
December 10, 2024
I found this to be an enjoyable foray into Roman history. I know this was released before The Fires of Pompeii, but I kept hoping that Mel and the Doctor would run into the Doctor's future self and Donna. lol Overall, a very entertaining short audio adventure.
January 10, 2018
I love Pompeii, love the 7th Doctor, and like Mel -- who got to be a bit of a hero this time.
October 1, 2019
It was a good 7 & Mel story. I know this was written first, but after seeing the 10 & Donna adventure in Pompeii this seems like it's just retelling the same story.
February 16, 2020
Crítica | Big Finish Mensal #12: The Fires of Vulcan: https://www.planocritico.com/critica-...
May 19, 2020
It’s kinda weird listening to this and knowing the Tenth Doctor’s adventure. Still a good listen though.
June 1, 2020
Excellent
August 27, 2020
So Seven, Mel, Ten and Donna were in Pompeii at the same time? Cool!
July 20, 2023
I found Mel to be rather annoying in this one
February 14, 2024
Feels a lot like something I've read/heard before
October 10, 2024
If you were a fan of the historical episodes of the old show you'll like this day in the life of Ancient Rome.
December 22, 2025
The "Mel can be a good character" story. Holds up well and brings great weight to both of these characters.
February 12, 2026
A highly enjoyable historical story made all the better by having no alien enemies in it.
July 18, 2024
When the Doctor and Mel arrive in Pompeii shortly before Mt Vesuvius burst its top, a distant memory of the Doctor’s sends him into a depressive spiral and soon enough, he’s made an enemy of a gladiator, and Mel’s run afoul of the gods!
This is a classic, pure historical story, and in that way, it feels much like a First Doctor story, as Doctor and companion are quickly embroiled in religious politics and are taken through a revolving door of prisons and hostage situations. The point of difference, and the science fiction element that sets this apart from the old classic stories however, is an ominous memory of the Doctor’s. Two lifetimes ago, he had seen his own TARDIS dragged from beneath the ashes of Pompeii centuries later, apparently abandoned. Thus, there appears to be a fixed point in time that the Doctor and Mel cannot escape. Evidently they will fail to escape Pompeii in the TARDIS – and it is quickly buried under rubble when they first arrive, thus they will either die or be stranded in Earth’s ancient past to live out their lives then.
The Doctor and Mel have opposite reactions to this supposed inevitability. Mel, full of energy and wishful thinking, believes that they will find a way out of this mess, like they always do. But the Doctor is uncharacteristically pessimistic. He remains firm that there is no escape, and for the first half of the story, langours and drifts about whilst Mel attempts to prove him wrong. It’s a frustrating attitude to hear the Doctor take on, because he’s eluded similar fates many times before, in more drastic circumstances. That is the story’s critical fault, that naturally, they will escape. We all know they will, and the Doctor should no better, Mel does after all!
View the full review on my blog here:
https://sonicreviewwho.wordpress.com/...
This is a classic, pure historical story, and in that way, it feels much like a First Doctor story, as Doctor and companion are quickly embroiled in religious politics and are taken through a revolving door of prisons and hostage situations. The point of difference, and the science fiction element that sets this apart from the old classic stories however, is an ominous memory of the Doctor’s. Two lifetimes ago, he had seen his own TARDIS dragged from beneath the ashes of Pompeii centuries later, apparently abandoned. Thus, there appears to be a fixed point in time that the Doctor and Mel cannot escape. Evidently they will fail to escape Pompeii in the TARDIS – and it is quickly buried under rubble when they first arrive, thus they will either die or be stranded in Earth’s ancient past to live out their lives then.
The Doctor and Mel have opposite reactions to this supposed inevitability. Mel, full of energy and wishful thinking, believes that they will find a way out of this mess, like they always do. But the Doctor is uncharacteristically pessimistic. He remains firm that there is no escape, and for the first half of the story, langours and drifts about whilst Mel attempts to prove him wrong. It’s a frustrating attitude to hear the Doctor take on, because he’s eluded similar fates many times before, in more drastic circumstances. That is the story’s critical fault, that naturally, they will escape. We all know they will, and the Doctor should no better, Mel does after all!
View the full review on my blog here:
https://sonicreviewwho.wordpress.com/...
October 13, 2015
Perfectly passable in every way.
To answer your first question, no, Mel doesn't suck. If we've learned anything about the Big Finish line by now, it's that actors who were previously given short shrift during their television broadcast era can be redeemed when given more sober material. Bonnie Langford's Mel is a smart, capable, even heroic companion through this story and it's refreshing. Sylvester McCoy, as well, takes a lot of the goofiness out of this (continuity-wise) period of his run and infuses The Doctor with some of the mystery of his last season and some of the danger of the character that evolved in the Virgin New Adventures books. (See the next story, "The Shadow of the Scourge" for more on that!)
So that's nice.
The Doctor is back in Pompeii. (What is it with him and that volcano?) There's a little light-weight philosophical talk about religion and caste systems, some running about and a strange bookend paradox (sorta) about the Doctor's potential demise. Nothing serious, but a reasonable romp given a slight boost by The Doctor's seeming refusal to save himself or Mel for a lot of the story from that, you know, volcano thing. (I will admit to still being a little bit baffled as to what turned him around on this point, but, hey, I hadn't invested a lot here and kind of stopped worrying about it.)
Fun enough.
To answer your first question, no, Mel doesn't suck. If we've learned anything about the Big Finish line by now, it's that actors who were previously given short shrift during their television broadcast era can be redeemed when given more sober material. Bonnie Langford's Mel is a smart, capable, even heroic companion through this story and it's refreshing. Sylvester McCoy, as well, takes a lot of the goofiness out of this (continuity-wise) period of his run and infuses The Doctor with some of the mystery of his last season and some of the danger of the character that evolved in the Virgin New Adventures books. (See the next story, "The Shadow of the Scourge" for more on that!)
So that's nice.
The Doctor is back in Pompeii. (What is it with him and that volcano?) There's a little light-weight philosophical talk about religion and caste systems, some running about and a strange bookend paradox (sorta) about the Doctor's potential demise. Nothing serious, but a reasonable romp given a slight boost by The Doctor's seeming refusal to save himself or Mel for a lot of the story from that, you know, volcano thing. (I will admit to still being a little bit baffled as to what turned him around on this point, but, hey, I hadn't invested a lot here and kind of stopped worrying about it.)
Fun enough.
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