Quotes
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The 1st Doctor: So you're awake at last, young man.Ian: No need to say it like that, Doctor. I thought the whole idea of us coming here was that we should all have a nice rest.
The 1st Doctor: My dear boy, there's a great deal of difference between resting and being sort of, bone idle!
"Well, the way you spoke I thought we were going to have adventures and see things. We've been here nearly a month and all everyone wants to do is sit around and rest." ~ Vicki
The 1st Doctor: Barbara, what was it? Hmm?
Barbara: Ant's eggs in hibiscus honey.
The 1st Doctor: Oh, absolutely...What did you say?
Ian: Ant's eggs, Doctor.
The 1st Doctor: Yes, that's what I thought she said. Ant's eggs. What do you think I am, a goldfish, hmm?
"How many times do I have to tell you that the Tardis is quite safe where it is. It can take off from any angle. I've never known such a pair of worriers. Really. Good heavens, I can't wait to get away for a couple of days from you. You keep on and on and on and on and on. Gracious me, really." ~ The First Doctor
The 1st Doctor: Oh? Well, I don't know that I was under any obligation to report my movements to you, Chesterfield.
Barbara: Chesterton.
The 1st Doctor: Oh, Barbara's calling you.
"What is this, what is this now? I know what you're insinuating. Yes, that I'm not capable of taking care of myself, ay? Huh! Safer indeed. Afraid to let me out of your sight, are you? Want to be my nursemaids? Well now, let me tell me something. I won't stand for it. Indeed, I will not stand for it." ~ The First Doctor
Ian: What's the matter? My slip showing?
Barbara: No, I was just thinking what a splendid looking Roman you make.
Ian: Oh. Well, yes, if I wasn't so modest, I'd agree with you.
Centurion: You must be Maximus Pettulian from Corinth, whose skill as a musician is talked of even in Rome.
The 1st Doctor: Really? Most interesting.
Centurion: We expected you in Assessium yesterday. When you failed to arrive, I sent my men out to search for you. I count it my good fortune that I've personally found you unharmed.
"Oh, the child, she travels with me. She keeps her eye on all the lyres." ~ The First Doctor
Barbara: Bad? Have you any idea how the Roman's treated their slaves? Or how many of them escaped? Besides, time is against us.
Ian: The Doctor.
Barbara: I haven't been able to think about anything else. When he and Vicki get back from Rome and...
Ian: They'll wait for us. They must wait for us.
"All right? Of course, I'm all right, my child. You know, I am so constantly outwitting the opposition, I tend to forget the delights and satisfaction of the arts, the gentle art of fisticuffs." ~ The First Doctor
Vicki: Yes, but if you were going to be killed anyway, I can't see that it
The 1st Doctor: My dear, it was an accepted thing in this age to hire an assassin. Preferably, preferably someone dumb, and then he couldn't denounce you.
Vicki: Ah, so he must have been looking in the bushes for the body when we first met him.
The 1st Doctor: Just as I suspected at the time.
Ian: I've got to get away from here.
Delos: There's land, Ian. Ian, there's land. (everyone peers out of the rowlocks) It's a long way.
Ian: I'm not a great swimmer Delos, but I'll take any risks, believe me.
Vicki: Isn't it wonderful, Doctor! Can we explore?
The 1st Doctor: Oh, I don't see why not, my child. For a while, anyway. Then we must present our credentials so to speak, before night falls.
Vicki: You're not planning to visit Nero?
The 1st Doctor: Now, now, now, now, don't tell me what I'm not going to do. I've been invited. I can't disappoint Nero.
Tavius: Unfortunately, I'm not able to give you your freedom. You'll still be a slave, but at least here in Nero's house, as a servant of Poppea, life will be more pleasant than it could have been.
Barbara: I'm grateful for what you've done, but I must tell you that I have no intention of staying here.
Tavius: Escape, you mean? Well, of course, I can't stop you but, I think you should consider it very carefully. If you should escape and you're recaptured, it would mean your death.
"Nero. I'm going to see Nero." ~ Vicki
Ian: Lucky? That's hardly the word I'd use.
Sevcheria: Well, you know as well as I do, escaped slaves are put to death automatically. This way at least you'll have a chance of fighting for your freedom.
Ian: A chance? How?
Sevcheria: By putting on a good show in the arena, and hoping Nero's in a benevolent mood.
"There's some sort of conspiracy going on, my child, and I've decided for my own sake I must get to the bottom of it. The more I...the sooner I do it, the better." ~ The First Doctor
"And remember, we're only here as observers. We must not interfere with the course of progress, or try to accelerate man's achievements or progress." ~ The First Doctor
Poppaea: My husband, Caesar Nero, seemed quite taken with you.
Barbara: Oh? Did he, Madame?
Poppaea: I like being Empress and I intend to remain so.
Barbara: Yes, Madame, of course.
Locusta: Oh, I see. You mean revenge against me? Oh no, no. I mean, it's nothing to do with me personally, is it?
Vicki: I suppose not, if you say so. But, the citizens of Rome, don't they object?
Locusta: To me? No. It's an accepted thing, isn't it? Almost a tradition, in fact, that the family of Caesar want to murder each other. After all, everybody would like to be Caesar of Rome, wouldn't they? I wonder who'll have the honour of being given this?
Poppaea: You understand what you must do, Locusta?
Locusta: Yes Madame. Get the attendant to serve these drinks to Caesar Nero when he's with your new slave.
Poppaea: Correct. And she is to have the special one. Come with me, I'll point her out to you. That'll put paid to any ambitions she has to be Empress.
"Oh, something else I forgot to tell you. I think I've poisoned Nero." ~ Vicki
Nero: Silence! There will now be a further feast of music. I give you the great Corinthian lyre player, Maximus Pettulion!
The 1st Doctor: Thank you! You are all so kind. With Caesar's permission? I would like to play my new composition in honour of this occasion. The music is so soft, so delicate, that only those with keen perceptive hearing, will be able to distinguish this melodious charm of music.
[And so the Doctor pretends to play, and everyone pretends that they can hear a beautiful tune.]
Delos: We won't get near the palace, you know that. Nero heard you shout. They'll be waiting.
Ian: Perhaps, but I've got a friend who specialises in trouble. He dives in and usually finds a way. I think I'll take a leaf out of his book for once.
Tavius: Nero has arranged for you to play in the arena.
The 1st Doctor: Oh, has he now? Well, I must have misjudged the fellow.
Tavius: And as you play the lions will be released.
The 1st Doctor: Oh, that will be charming.
"A lifetime's work! I'll have you both killed over and over again! Guards! Guards! Fool! Idiot! Traitor! Pig! I'll stick you both in the arena, on an island with water all round, and in the water there will be alligators and the water level will be raised and the alligators will get you! Fool! Traitor! Brilliant! You are a genius! A genius! I will make you rich! Rich! So the Senate wouldn't pass my plans, eh? Wouldn't let me build my New Rome? But if the old one is burnt, if it goes up in flames, they will have no choice! Rome will be rebuilt to my design! Brilliant! Brilliant!" ~ Nero
"You heard what Nero said. Brilliant, brilliant. Let us go, will you, otherwise you'll be getting some of that alligator treatment." ~ The First Doctor
"Now look here, young lady, lets settle this. Insinuating that all this is my fault. Hmm? My fault." ~ The First Doctor
Ian: You hit me on the head with that?
Barbara: Well, yes you see, well, in the struggle, you
Ian: So, I've got you to blame for being thrown into jail, eh? Made to row in a galley! Fight like a Roman
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Trivia
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This was the first story played for comedy as well as drama. It appears to have been Verity Lambert who convinced the BBC to script this story as a comedy, as the historical dramas were not doing too well with viewers. Dennis Spooner's original idea was to spoof the 1951 film, Quo Vadis, which led him to choosing the time of the Great Fire of Rome as his setting.
This was also the first time a major actor requested to be on Doctor Who. Here Derek Francis was given the role of Nero.
It was originally thought that Richard Martin would direct. However, it was agreed that The Rescue and The Romans would both use the same production team so that they could essentially be made as a six-part serial. The director's job therefore went to Christopher Barry, who was also directing The Rescue.
All episodes exist in 16mm telerecordings. Negative film prints of all episodes exist and were recovered by the BBC in 1978.
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Links
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Part 1: The Slave Traders
Part 2: All Roads Lead to Rome
Part 3: The Conspiracy
Part 4: The Inferno
Doctor Who: The Rescue / The Romans (Stories 11 & 12) DVD is available at Amazon.com.
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