✅84% = Great! = Strongly recommended!

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time! This time: Seven and Mel visit Pompeii, while Ten and Donna are there (but they, and we, don’t know that).

The Fires of Vulcan builds a simple but compelling mystery about the TARDIS found in modern-day Pompeii, buried under layers of ash and lava. We understand that something will go very wrong at some point, but not when, how, or why. This is what builds the basic timey-wimey fixed-point narrative that runs through the entire adventure.

This is a pure historical drama filled with political intrigue and an overwhelming sensation of dread and anticipation, as we quickly learn that the Doctor and Mel arrived in Pompeii one day before the faithful eruption of Vesuvius. Unable to take any action, they try to flee before it's too late, only to become entangled in the local politics as the clock ticks down.

The script and performances capture the era and setting pretty well—perhaps too well. Some of the dialogue and performances from the guest cast can feel a bit pretentious.

Nicky Goldie (Winter for the Adept) and Gemma Bissix are both good.

Dramatic tension is maintained through the Doctor trying to figure out how to escape his fate without spoiling the surprise for all the poor Pompeiian souls or creating a paradox.

The political scheming isn’t very interesting in itself, though it showcases the thinking of this era well.

Sylvester McCoy presents a softer, more emotional Seven, which I like. Bonnie Langford is really good as Mel, and I like how she gets involved with the people and feels bad for not being able to tell them what's going to happen. This story allows her to show a more humane and emotional side, quite different from the more colourful aspects of her TV appearances.

In the Part 1 cliffhanger, Seven reveals his usual side, stating that they are unable to leave Pompeii due to his knowledge of the TARDIS's discovery in the ashes in 1980. Part 3's cliffhanger is another standout, with Vesuvius poised to erupt and the Doctor facing a sword duel.

The music and apt sound design occasionally paint a pretty cosy atmosphere, even if disaster looms in the background. Part 4 turns everything sinister and dramatic, as the sound design effectively brings the destruction to life.

The story's conclusion instills a strong sense of urgency, keeping us suspenseful about the resolution of the initial dilemma, which is both clever and horrifying. The last few moments are a wildly dramatic and sad affair that makes you feel sorry for all these poor souls.