Well, that was a cracking episode.

Between Voyage of the Damned, and now this episode, the production team have really raised their game in terms of just how epic, and cinematic Doctor Who can look. The eruption of Vesuvius was fantastically well realised.

Of course, all that’s only part of the story. James Moran’s script was brilliant. I always feel Doctor Who is at its strongest when it showcases the Doctor’s dilemma with what he knows should happen. It goes right back to Genesis of the Daleks when he is forced to examine the consequences of committing genocide against the Daleks, and here we have him agonising over his choice to destroy Pompeii and kill all its people. There was a nice parallel to Gallifrey’s destruction as well, which I hadn’t even considered.

There was some nice foreshadowing as well. “She is returning” is surely a reference to Rose, and there seems to be a few running themes this year, with another lost planet. It certainly gives off the impression that this whole season is building to something big.

Great production design, fantastic script, and cracking performances. And next week the return of the Ood. Season 4’s off to a great start