Written by Dennis Spooner, DOCTOR WHO - THE ROMANS (16 January 1965) has a reputation that is wildly unjustified.
"Comic period romp"?
No.
Rather like the Doctor's re-working of THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES fable in the story's episode three - as he successfully yet silently performs a new piece of Lyre music for the more discerning ear - THE ROMANS has an acquired taste for those intelligent and creative enough to value Spooner's the poetic modernity.
In re-discovering THE ROMANS from the BBC AUDIO archives the story has a symbiotic scripting tone to the Russell T Davies' re-imagineering of DOCTOR WHO. An intelligent plot, (seemingly) historically accurate (albeit with literature licence), a conversational dialogue approach, wit and threat that would compare favourably to THE SHAKESPEARE CODE or THE FIRES OF POMPEII (in fact, in this story, the Tenth Doctor refers obliquely to the stories climatic events in Rome).
In support of THE ROMANS even the venerated newspaper, THE TIMES noted that: " Verity Lambert's production is once again flawless ".
Certainly, the story is witty - with the "romp" aspects virtually contained to episode three - but throughout, more so within the first two episodes, Spooner demonstrates the endless brutality of the regime's disregard for "human rights" - in slavery, in gladiatorial entertainment and the seemingly commonplace execution of those in the wrong place at the wrong time. (A concept, developed within the DOCTOR WHO realm, in the BIG FINISH audio-play, DOCTOR WHO - THE FIRES OF VULCAN .) Ian Chesterton's "press gang" into slave ship steerage and, eventual, combat with his rowing partner reminds listeners that travelling with the Doctor is all a bed of roses and alien adventure; it can be life threatening.
William Russell's narration (aided by an excellent linking script by Robert Ayres) is of a consummate professional, exerting a pace & threat or a passionate emotion when necessary.
A chilling scene witnesses the Doctor's travelling companion, Barbara, at the mercy of Emperor Nero (following Ian's unsuccessful attempt to rescue her). Nero takes a sword from the Praetorian guard holding Barbara and:
"The guard obeys. Barbara braces herself for the bow. [On-screen: Barbara screams] The Praetorian drops dead. Nero regards the bloody blade with a look of casual distain. [On-screen: Nero - "He didn't fight hard enough"]. Barbara is sickened."
The CD bonus material is strangely obscure and is delivered from the BBC RADIO archives labelled "news" rather than "DOCTOR WHO". A historical discussion by experts & novelists that, perhaps, the modern representation of Nero is inaccurate. Less despotic and more benign who lead the fire-fighting of the Great Fire of Rome as opposed to "fiddling".
However, the jewel within the jewel case is the 1996 interview with Hartnell's Granddaughter, Jessica Carney. She discusses his first film roles (including a 1936 "Chaplin-esque" comedy performance that she had the privilege to view), the fact that he turned down a role in the legendary film, THE THIRD MAN and his iconic role of the Doctor that his relished to be known for.
DOCTOR WHO - THE ROMANS has passed into science fiction television folklore as a story that has little or no consequence, ridiculed for its bawdy intent and farcical content, however, listening again you gain a new appreciation of the serious ciphers that have become diluted over the decades.
Give it another chance or your first, it will reward your time. Think of it as DOCTOR WHO - THE ROMANS written by Steven Moffat, and you'll love it.
