The Romans (TV story)

The Romans was the fourth story in season two of Doctor Who. It was the first story to have its main plot portrayed as a comedic one. This serial used the same production team as The Rescue and so both were shot in one block of filming.

This story saw the first use of stock footage for a cliffhanger; in this case, a lion. Part three, Conspiracy, was broadcast on the same day as Winston Churchill's funeral, explaining the dip in viewing figures.

David Whitaker was, by this time, seeing stories with historical figures as a liability. Despite this, The Romans was intended as the third of three historical tales, following the Spanish Armada and the American Civil War. It appears to have been Verity Lambert who convinced him to script this story as a comedy.

This was also the first time a major actor requested to be on Doctor Who. In this case, Derek Francis was given the role of Nero.

Synopsis
The four time travellers are enjoying a rare holiday, staying at a villa not far from Rome in the year A.D. 64. The Doctor soon becomes restless and sets off to visit the city, taking Vicki with him. In their absence, Ian and Barbara are kidnapped by slave traders.

Having been mistaken for the famous lyre player Maximus Pettulian and asked to perform at the Emperor Nero's court, the Doctor has to devise ever more elaborate schemes to avoid revealing that in fact he cannot actually play the instrument.

Ian meanwhile becomes a galley slave, while Barbara is sold to Nero's slave buyer Tavius at an auction in Rome. Ian and a fellow slave named Delos escape from the galley when it is wrecked in a storm and make their way to Rome to try to find and rescue Barbara.

There they are recaptured and forced to fight as gladiators in the arena. Events reach their climax when, by accidentally setting light to the Emperor's plans for the rebuilding of Rome, the Doctor gives him the idea of having the city razed to the ground. Nero plays the lyre while Rome burns, and the Doctor and Vicki as well as a reunited Ian and Barbara make their separate ways back to the villa.

The Slave Traders (1)
The four travellers materialise on the edge of a cliff - before The Doctor has time to take off again the TARDIS falls from the cliff crashing to the ground.

A month later we find the four friends in Rome living in the lap of luxury. The Doctor, Ian and Barbara are content however Vicki is begining to tire of the life of a Roman and seeks adventure. As she talks to Barbara about the adventures she was promised a man lurks in the bushes threateningly. The two women find themselves in a market where they are seen by two suspicious looking Romans, Didius and Sevcheria. They speak of some sort of crime they intend to do in the village. As the two women talk they are overhead talking about London by an old market stall owner. The two Romans bribe the woman for information about Barbara and Vicki. She states that they spoke off London and have been in the area for the last month house sitting for Flavius Giscard, who is away campaigning in Gaul. The two men set off with this information. As they leave so does an old lyre player named Maximus Pettullian however he does nt get very far before he is attacked on the road out of the village and killed by the sinister man who observed Vicki and Barbara earlier in the day.

Back at the house of Giscard the four travellers ask The Doctor if they should go back and check the TARDIS but The Doctor says that the craft will be perfectly safe without it being constantly checked upon. The Doctor asks if they are getting restless and anxious to leave. Barbara and Ian state they are perfectly happy but Vicki yearns for adventure. Spontaneously The Doctor states that he plans to leave for Rome as soon as he can and that Vicki can come with him. When Barbara asks to come The Doctor reacts crossly stating that he doesn't need a nurse maid. As soon as the two are packed they leave Ian and Barbara alone in the villa. Little do they know Didus and Sevcheria are plotting a siege on the villa later that night. As Ian and Barbara relax they are set upon by the two men. The two friends put up a gallant fight but Barbara accidently catches Ian on the head with a jug which was meant for Sevcheria and knocks him unconcious. Ian and barbara are carried away by the two men.

On the road out of the village The Doctor and Vicki come across the body of Maximus Pettullian and are suprised by a centurion with his sword drawn as The Doctor is holding the old man's harp. The centurion asks if the lyre belongs to him. When The Doctor answers non-commitedly the centurion states that he has been sent out to look for the lyre player by his master, Nero. Unable to resist the temptation The Doctor passes himself off as Pettrullian in order to meet Nero. The centurion leads him and Vicki away.

Outside the villa Ian and Barbara are tied up to a slave cart as they discuss how to escape. Barbara's primary concern is The Doctor and Vicki not knowing where they have been taken and leaving on the TARDIS. Little do they know Didius and Secheria are doing business with a slave owner who wants to buy Barbara, he is turned down saying that the woman will get a higher price in Rome. The man says he does not plan to go to Rome but will take three men - including Ian. As he is led away a distraught Barbara is even more fearful now she is away from Ian.

In the camp of the centurion the assasin is summoned to the centurion who berates him strongly saying that his orders were not carried out and that Pettullian lives. He says that he wil give the assassin one last chance and directs him to where The Doctor is asleep. The assassin approaches the door with his dagger drawn.

All Roads Lead to Rome (2)
The assassin attacks the Doctor who manages to fight him off before Vicki comes in and pushes him out of an open window. After The Doctor boasts of his ablilities in fisticuffs Vicki informs him that the Centurion who brough them thus far on their journey to Rome has disappeared. The Doctor rightly assumes that he is the reason for the death of the real Pettullian and the recent attack. The Doctor assures Vicki that they are to stay there one further night and then go on to Rome to meet Nero themselves. Vicki is unsure if this is a good ideas but The Doctor peruades her.

Meanwhile Barbra has already been thrown in jail in Rome awaiting an auction wherein she will be sold to the highest bidder. She is put in the same cell as a woman with a bad cough and who is clearly ill. Barbara comforts her and speaks of Ian who will come and save them.

Ian himself is on a slave ship and has been for the last 5 days, manning the oars. He speaks to a friend he has made in the journey by the name of Delos. They have struck up a plan and now that they are near land they try and put it into action. Delos acts as if he is dead and ian calls one fo the slave drivers however their plan is seen to be fake and they are forced to work twice as hard for the indiscretion.

Back in the prison Barbara is approached by a well dressed man named Tavius who wants to buy Barbara. He states that he will look after her. When Barbara asks if this means she will get her freedom he says that she will still be a slave but a slave that is treated humanely. She turns this down. When the guard comes round Tavius offers to buy her directly. The guard informs him that she is to be sold at auction and no amount of money will convince him otherwise. The guard gives Barbara a fine dress to wear for the auction. When she asks what will happent o the other woman she is informed that she is to be given to the circus as she is useless for auction in the state that she is in. Barbara looks concerned.

Ian's ship seems to have hit a storm and as the slave drive forces the men to row harder in order to get to land the ship starts to take on water. As it does Ian and Didus break free and overpower the slave driver. However the ship sinks. Ian wakes on the beach alongside Delos. Delos states they are not far from the centre of Rome and Ian is insistent that he has to go and look for Barbara. Delos offers to come with him and they set off together.

By this time The Doctor and Vicki have arrive in Rome and are looking around. Vicki observes some kind of auction and asks The Doctor what they are auctioning. The Doctor sees that it is a slave auction and movesVicki on so as not to explain to her what it is. As they turn and leave Barbara walks onto the podium. She is the first to be auctioned. After a few negligible offers, the highest reaching 2500 sesterces, Tavius arrives and bids 10, 000 sesterces. He has bought Barbara. He explains to Barbara that he is a representative of Nero and, after seeing that she was kind and beautiful when she was looking afterthe ill woman in prison, bought her to serve under Nero. Barbara expresses her thanks but says she intends to run away. Tavius warns her against such an action as an escaped slave is always sentenced to death. Barbara says she has to take that chance. Their conversation is interupted when a messenger sends for Tavius saying that Pettullian has arrived. Tavius hurries away and meets The Doctor thinking him to be Pettullian. Looking suspicious Tavius explains to The Doctor that the problem they have has been sorted out and that he has been put in the apodyterium. The Doctor goes along with this all the time clueless as to what Flavius alludes. Their conversation is interupted by the enterance of Nero. Nero is introduced to The Doctor who instantly asks the 'musician' to play for him. The Doctor says he would much rather hear Nero play first. Flattered Nero does so and The Doctor copies him. Nero is flattered by this and says he will meet The Doctor later for a further conversation. The Doctor and Vicki go and explore and find their way to the apodyterium to discover what it was that Flavius meant. After some exploration they find the dead body of the Centurion that accosted them originally.

Meanwhile Ian and Delos arrive in Rome, however it isn;t long before they are re-arrested and sent to the same prison where Barbara was held. They are informed that they are lucky as usually escaped prisoners are sent to death but instead they are to be trained as gladiators and fight for their survival. Delos and Ian wonder who they are to fight and as they look out the window they see many lions feasting on flesh.

Conspiracy (3)
It becomes apparent to the Doctor that Tavius had the Centurion murdered and that he too is expected to fulfill some sort of action. He goes along with Tavius' demands as if he knows all about the plans but remain clueless.

Nero decides the Doctor must fulfill an obligation too, and organises a banquet in his honour at which he must play the lyre. He also takes a shine to Barbara and starts to pursue her romantically – and literally – much to the anger of Empress Poppaea. She warns Barbara off of Nero stating that she has been the Empress for many years and does not intend to see a competitor take the role, however when she sees Nero manhandling Barbara later she decides more drastic action is to be taken.

Meanwhile Vicki has brefriended the court poisoner Lacusta. She informs Vicki that she is in constant use as their is always some sort of intrigue or other going on in court. She also alludes to the fact that she feels her greatest calling will be one day to poison Nero himself.

The Doctor has taken Nero to a sauna to try and extract some information from him with regards to whether he has any idea as to what the conspiracy that The Doctor appears to have embroiled himself in. Nero knows nothing of this however he does inform The Doctor that he is ordered to play at the banquet tonight - much to The Doctor's dismay.

Vicki's conversation has been interupted by Poppaea. As Vicki hides under the desk she learns that Poppaea is jealous of a slave girl and wants her poisoned. As Poppaea takes Lacusta out to show her the slave girl Vicki climbs out from under the desk and switches the cups which the poisons are in so that it will be Nero who is recieving the poison.

In the banqueting hall Nero is flirting with Barbara and gives her a gold bracelet hoping for a kiss in return. they are interupted by a servant presenting two goblets of wine for the pair. In another part of the hall Vicki has informed a shocked Doctor what he has done stating that they Nero and Poppaea are an evil couple and should be stopped. He informs her that rewriting history is strictly against the rules of time travel and swiftly stops Nero from drinking the wine. He is most thankful to The Doctor for saving his life.

Poppaea is furious with the mix up which sees Barbara stay alive and, thinking it a mistake on behalf of Lacusta takes her away to the jail.

Later that evening at the Banquet Flavius explains that "all is in place for tomorrow" to The Doctor, to which he responds cryptically. The Doctor is soon called upon by Nero to play the lyre. The Doctor explains to the gathered masses that the style of music that he plays is so fine and so delicate that only the most sensitive and cultured ears can appreciate it truly. He then proceeds to mime the process of playing the lyre whilst the conceited masses pretend to be able to hear it. At the end of the performance The Doctor's performance is met with wild apllause. When he sits down he explains to Vicki that it is similar to the story of 'The Emperor's New Clothes' which he claims to have inspired by giving Hans Christian Andersen The reception given to The Doctor has made Nero insanely envious of him and he intends to give him his comeuppance. He rushes off to his room to change but encounters Barbara and takes her with him. He explains that they are going to the Arena as he has a plan - but also wants to see a fight to make him feel better.

At the jail Ian and Delos have been informed that they are to fight each other to the death at the next fight. Delos regrettably informs Ian that he will kill him if he has to as some slaves are freed from captivity if they impress Nero in battle.

Outside in the arena Nero and Barbara are in place for the fight and Nero explains to the jail keeper that he wants Maximus Pettulian to play at the Arena however half way during the show he wants the lions to be let loose on him due to the fact that he is the only man in Rome to prove a larger spectacle than him. This conversation is interupted by the arrival of the combatants. Barbara is shocked to see Ian as one of the gladiators. The two men fight. Ian disarms Delos but refuses to kill him. They fight again and Delos disarms Ian and raises his sword to cut off Ian's head.

Barbara has just left the banquet chamber when the Doctor arrives, warning the Emperor that he has learnt his wine could be poisoned. It has been, as part of Poppea’s plan.

The Doctor is soon put to perform centre stage and picks up his lyre with the warning that only those with the most sensitive and perceptive hearing will be able to discern its subtle melody. He then creates absolutely no sound but has created a climate in which no one wishes to make themselves out to be philistines by not appreciating the music. Nero is not convinced, however, and in private fumes against the deception. He decides to have Pettulian fed to the lions.

Meanwhile, at the arena itself, Ian and Delos have been trained as gladiators and are set to fight each other. With Nero watching them they are told to battle to the death.

Inferno (4)
Delos and Ian decide to fight their way out of the arena instead, and Ian is able to shout to the watching Barbara that he will be back to rescue her before he and Delos flee. The Emperor calls off his soldiers when it becomes clear they cannot be caught, planning to have him killed when he returns to rescue Barbara. A crowd of soldiers of arranged at the palace.

The Doctor has meanwhile found the architectural plans for Nero’s new Rome, and deduces that since the year is 64 AD that the Emperor is planning to destroy the city. Tavius arrives and warns the Doctor that the Emperor is planning to kill him too, advising him to fulfill his mission and kill Nero soon. It seems that Pettulian was an assassin all along. The Doctor and Vicki decide to leave quickly, but before departing set fire to Nero’s architectural plans. The Emperor notices this and decides to burn down the city, thanking the Doctor and deciding after all to spare his life. A rabble is bribed into starting the blaze and while anarchy rages, Ian is helped into the palace by Tavius, who reunites him with Barbara. Under Tavius’ eye, the two are allowed to escape and make their way from Rome and back to the villa. Delos helps them get clear of the palace, parting from his friend Ian. The Doctor and Vicki also escape the city, watching it burn from a nearby hill.

By the time the Doctor and Vicki return to the villa, Ian and Barbara have spruced themselves up, and the Doctor mistakenly assumes that they have not even left the villa. All four leave in the TARDIS but have barely begun to travel when a strange force starts dragging the ship to an unknown location.

Cast

 * The Doctor - William Hartnell
 * Ian Chesterton - William Russell
 * Barbara Wright - Jacqueline Hill
 * Vicki - Maureen O'Brien
 * Sevcheria - Derek Sydney
 * Didius - Nicholas Evans
 * Centurion - Dennis Edwards
 * Stall Holder - Margot Thomas
 * Slave Buyer - Edward Kelsey
 * Maximus Pettulian - Bart Allison
 * Ascaris - Barry Jackson
 * Delos - Peter Diamond
 * Tavius - Michael Peake
 * Woman Slave - Dorothy-Rose Gribble
 * Galley Master - Gertan Klauber
 * 1st Man in Market - Ernest Jennings
 * 2nd Man in Market - John Caesar
 * Court Messenger - Tony Lambden
 * Nero - Derek Francis
 * Tigilinus - Brian Proudfoot
 * Poppaea - Kay Patrick
 * Locusta - Anne Tirard
 * Slaves - Terri Dern, Sandra Harris, Tina Kennedy, Alison Leney (all uncredited)
 * Galley Slaves - Paul Andrews, James Appleby, Vez Delahunt, Pat Donohue, Tony Lee, Roy Reeves, Richard Wilding, Les Wilkinson (all uncredited)
 * Dead Centurion - Vez Delahunt (uncredited)
 * Gladiators - Bill Burridge, Derek Calder, Gordon Cave, Paul Duval, Jonas Kurchi, Alan Selwyn (all uncredited)
 * Persons at Banquet - Douglas Abercrombie, Paul Blomley, Diane Chapman, Michael Essex, George Fisher, Alison Leney, James Lyon, Anne Mazell, Ronnie Mead, Sara Negus, Steve Peters (all uncredited)
 * Rabble - Yusha Adams, Mickie Baker, David Brewster, Michael Buck, David Cannon, John Day, Paul Duval, Alan Jones, Derek Martin, Philip Moore, Aldred Morgan, Tony Poole, Bill Richards, Les Saunders, Frank Sessman (all uncredited)
 * Persons in Markets - Ronald Adams, Pat Ambrose, Gladys Bacon, Francesco Bertorelli, David Brewster, Nigel Clayton, Jack Collins, George Daly, Harry Davies, Fred Davies, John De Marco, Rosemary Devitt, John Fry, Bunty Garland, Ursula Granville, John Langley, Terry Leigh, John Little, Rilla Madden, Barbara Mansfield, Dickie Martyn, Dawn Pyke, John Sagar, John Scammell, Gillian Smith, Tom Sye, Fred Taylor, Gerry Videl, Johnny Wainwright (all uncredited)
 * Guards - Eric Bird, Bill Burridge, Derek Calder, Pat Donohue, Paul Duval, Dennis Edwards, Fred Haggerty, James Heather, Jonas Kurchi, John Pollock, Roy Reeves, John Scott Martin, Alan Selwyn, Rose Thomas, Gerry Wain (all uncredited)
 * Courtiers - Paul Andrews, James Appleby (uncredited)

Crew

 * Writer - Dennis Spooner
 * Director - Christopher Barry
 * Producer - Verity Lambert
 * Script Editor - Dennis Spooner
 * Designer - Raymond Cusick
 * Assistant Floor Manager - Valerie Wilkins
 * Associate Producer - Mervyn Pinfield
 * Costumes - Daphne Dare
 * Fight Arranger - Peter Diamond
 * Film Cameraman - Dick Bush
 * Film Editor - Jim Latham
 * Incidental Music - Raymond Jones
 * Make-Up - Sonia Markham
 * Production Assistant - David Maloney
 * Special Sound - Brian Hodgson
 * Studio Lighting - Howard King
 * Studio Sound - Richard Chubb
 * Theme Arrangement - Delia Derbyshire
 * Title Music - Ron Grainer

Story notes

 * This was the first story played for comedy as well as drama.
 * All episodes exist in 16mm telerecordings.
 * Negative film prints of all episodes exist and were recovered by the BBC in 1978.
 * Telesnaps of this story are held by private collectors.
 * The characters of Tigellinus and Sevcheria were both expanded during re-writes of the script.
 * The Rescue leads directly into this story.
 * This is the second story in a row in which the Doctor is given a surprisingly physical fight sequence. In fact, his brawl with Ascaris recalls similar fights involving the Third Doctor, including the Doctor judo-flipping his opponent.

Influences

 * Spartacus
 * The Emperor's New Clothes
 * Whitehall farces
 * Whether intentional or not, the Doctor's silent lyre tune recalls John Cage's infamous silent composition 4'33&quot;.
 * A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Ratings

 * The Slave Traders - 13 million viewers
 * All Roads Lead to Rome - 11.5 million viewers
 * Conspiracy - 10 million viewers
 * Inferno - 12 million viewers

Myths

 * It was Dennis Spooner's idea to make a comic episode of Doctor Who (It was actually Verity Lambert who wished to try a new angle for the series)

Filming locations

 * Ealing Television Film Studios
 * Riverside Studio 1, Hammersmith, London

Production errors

 * Ian and Barbara sit around a plastic lined fountain. The budget was small at that time, and remember "high definition" was 405 lines back then.
 * Nero pays his fire starters in metal washers.
 * When Barbara turns around to hug Ian after they are reunited in "Inferno," a long zipper is clearly visible down the back of her dress.
 * The camera on the boat is hit by falling wood during the storm scene, this causes a wide white line to cross the screen.
 * During episode 2 a boom mike drops into the shot during the scene in which Nero and his wife pick out jewellery (this is also visible in the DVD featurette What Has The Romans Done for Us?).
 * During the scene in which Nero chases Barbara around, one of the studio lights is captured by the camera, causing a noticeable lens flare.
 * The historical Nero outlawed the practice of killing defeated gladiators in 59 C.E. He would not have ordered Ian decapitated in 64 C.E. when this story takes place.

Continuity

 * This story begins with the TARDIS having been in Rome for a long time - approximately one month, as indicated in dialogue - an explanation for this is provided in both PDA: Byzantium! and ST: Romans Cutaway.
 * PDA: The Eleventh Tiger takes place immediately after the end of this story.
 * The Doctor references this story in DW: The Fires of Pompeii when he mentions to Donna Noble that he was not responsible for the fire.

Timeline

 * This story occurs after DW: The Rescue
 * Both ST: Romans Cutaway and PDA: Byzantium! occur within the first episode of this story.
 * This story occurs before DW: The Web Planet

DVD releases
This story was released on DVD alongside The Rescue in February 2009 (UK) and July 2009 (North America). For the release, the episodes have been reprocessed via computer to restore the original videotaped look of the production.

Contents:
 * What has "The Romans" ever done for us? - production featurette which also examines how Nero has been portrayed in film and TV over the years.
 * Roma Parva - a look at the original model used to design the set.
 * Dennis Spooner: Wanna Write a Television Series? - Profile of the writer of The Romans and other serials.
 * Girls! Girls! Girls!: The 1960s - Retrospective on Doctor Who's female companions from 1963-69.
 * Blue Peter segment on a Roman banquet.
 * Photo Gallery
 * Radio Times listings (PDF format).
 * Production notes
 * Audio Commentary by actors William Russell (Ian Chesterton), Nick Evans (Didius) and Barry Jackson (Ascaris), director Christopher Barry, moderated by Toby Hadoke.
 * See The Rescue for additional DVD extras on this set.

Rear Credits:
 * Starring William Hartnell with William Russell, Jacqueline Hill and Maureen O'Brien
 * Written by Dennis Spooner
 * Produced by Verity Lambert
 * Directed by Christopher Barry
 * Incidental Music by Raymond Jones

Notes:
 * Editing for DVD release completed by Doctor Who Restoration Team.
 * There is an error on the back cover of The Romans DVD: David Whitaker is credited to have written this story, rather than Dennis Spooner.

Video releases
Released as Doctor Who: The Rescue/The Romans
 * UK Release: September 1994 / US Release: March 1996
 * PAL - BBC Video BBCV5378 (2 tapes)
 * NTSC - Warner Video E1313 (2 tapes)
 * NTSC - CBS/FOX Video 8338 (2 tapes)

Novelisation and its audiobook

 * Main article: The Romans (novelisation)


 * Novelised as The Romans by Donald Cotton in 1987.