In fact, the amount that was lavished on the at-times superb effects work in The Fires Of Pompeii is probably the reason why the BBC won’t be showing a full series next year. There wasn’t a wobbly set in sight. As an episode, it took some time to settle down, simply because so much seemed to be packed in. Aside from continuing to establish the relationship with Donna and the Doctor – and thus spend a little time explaining conventions such as the Tardis translating everything – there was the setting up of the Pompeii story, then how it was being manipulated, then a circuit board, lots of prophecies, then a great looking creature, then a water pistol, then everyone slowly turning to stone, then saving the day … it was exhausting stuff, and a healthy antidote to any accusation that Doctor Who lacks ambition. At times, it felt like a compacted extended episode, and possibly it could have used another five minutes or so to cram everything in. What lifted the episode well above last week’s though was the last act, though, where Donna gets a real insight into what the Doctor has to face. The consequences of his actions forced both Tennant and Tate to put in some quality acting, and both obliged. I said it last week, and I’ll say it again: this double act has promise. I do wonder again though whether the episode will stand alone, or whether I’ve sat through one or two contributory factors to the season denouement. Russell T Davies has dropped hints that something big is coming, and – while we’re all wise to many of the conventions of his take on Who – to get a second episode so packed does leave you salivating for what’s coming next. Next week, it’s the welcome return of the Ood, one of the new Who’s best monster creations. Bring it on…
