Waitaminute ... What happened to my post from last night? Well here it is again, followed by tonight's episode.
The Romans, episode 4 - "Inferno", originally aired 2-06-65
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by Christopher Barry
Things go according to plan, and the other slaves revolt. Ian escapes.
The Empress has had enough of Nero's infidelity, and orders Barbara's dismissal, in whatever form it needs to take. She orders Tavious to take care of it. He warns Barbara, who in turn tells him about Maximus going to the lions.
Nero sets his sights on the Doctor, who is studying a map of then-modern Rome. While Nero is ranting, a small fire starts behind the Time Lord, and Nero blames him for the destruction of the maps. He orders the Doctor's death, then in the same thought, reverses it, saying he's a genius, because it will allow Nero to do exactly what he's been wanting to do. He is going to burn Rome to the ground and rebuild it in his image.
Tavious helps Ian and Barbara reunite and escape. Nero sends his soldiers out to burn Rome, while he stays behind playing his lyre. The Doctor and Vicki escape.
Back at the villa, the four reunite, and head off again for the Tardis.
Inside the ship, the Doctor reveals they have materialized somewhere, and they are slowly being dragged down ...
* * *
This episode is not something I can take seriously. Cuz it's not supposed to be serious. It's comedy, it's all comedy, beginning to end, with tiny little bits of seriousness scarred here and there. Everyone is having fun, and the whole thing seems effortless. It's like the cast and crew showed up and decided to play, and have fun.
I can see bits of the Tenth Doctor here, when Vicki accuses him of interfering with history. He instantly tells her he did no such thing, and then his smile begins to widen, and you just know he's playing.
I love it.
Ok, the first episode dragged, it was dreadful. But it was followed by three episodes which were comedic gold, and it's a very nice streak.
Next up is The Web Planet.
Oh, and this is episode number 29 down. A whole lot to go.
And here goes with tonight's episode.
The Web Planet, Episode 1 - "The Web Planet"
Written by Bill Strutton
Directed by Richard Martin
The Tardis has materialized on a rocky alien world. There are giant ants walking around outside. Inside, Vicki is hearing a high-pitched noise which the others cannot hear.
The Doctor and Ian nervously explore the area outside the Tardis. They find what is, I think, the first pyramid shown on a world other than Earth.
Barbara, wearing the bracelet given to her by Nero, is somehow taken over by the giant ants, known as the Zarbi, and walks outside, led by the gold bracelet.
Vicki, finding the door open and Barbara gone, starts screaming Barbara's name. The Doctor and Ian hear and run back, only to run into giant spiderwebs.
The Tardis tilts and turns. Vicki runs into its controls and starts flipping switches. The Doctor looks over, and ... it's gone! He says "My Tardis!" as we fade out.
* * *
Not bad. Not bad at all. We get just enough visuals of the Zarbi to know they're the monsters of this serial, and an alien landscape, with a non-functioning Tardis, placing our people in grave danger.
The follow-up to The Romans was welcome as well, when Barbara talks about getting a present from Nero. Typically, unless the story is a direct follow-up to a previous story (The Daleks/Dalek Invasion of Earth, for example), previous stories aren't referenced.
Barbara and Vicki arguing over medical practices was also well done, reinforcing the idea that Vicki is from a time distantly removed from Barbara's, something that was missing in Susan's interactions with her teachers.
