Inferno

The Doctor, Vicki, Ian, and Barbara find themselves embroiled in Nero's schemes to burn Rome and rebuild it in his image, as they try to help others escape the madness and avoid becoming victims of Nero's wrath.

In ancient Rome, the TARDIS crew becomes entangled with Nero, who is obsessed with rebuilding Rome in his image. Ian and Delos fight imperial guards to save Barbara, while Nero, delighting in the chaos, plots to trap them upon their return and he stabs a guard for not fighting hard enough. Meanwhile, Poppaea becomes displeased with her new slave, Barbara, and orders Tavius to get rid of her. Barbara seeks Tavius's help to escape Nero's clutches and warn her friend Ian, whom Nero plans to trap. Tavius, motivated by his own reasons, agrees to help, revealing Nero's plan that Maximus Pettulion appear in the arena where lions will be released.

The Doctor and Vicki get caught in political intrigue when Tavius mistakes the Doctor for an assassin sent to kill Nero. Nero, impressed with the Doctor, arranges for him to perform in the arena. Accidentally, the Doctor's glasses magnify the sun's rays, setting Nero's plans for New Rome ablaze. Enraged, Nero initially threatens to kill them but then realizes that the fire offers him an opportunity to rebuild Rome. He tasks guards to start fires throughout the city.

Ian and Delos infiltrate Nero's torchbearers in an attempt to rescue Barbara, learning that they are to set fire to the city. Tavius leads Ian to Barbara, providing them a cloak to help them escape. The Doctor and Vicki, attempting to remain hidden, encounter a guard, nearly blowing their cover. As chaos ensues, Delos, Ian, and Barbara escape, while the fire brands are lit. The guard is attacked and the trio escape.

As Rome burns, the Doctor reflects on history as Vicki scolds him for inadvertently inspiring Nero's destructive act. Ian and Barbara return to their villa, which is in disarray. They bicker playfully as they clean up the destruction, then as they are about to tell fellow travelers, the Doctor insists on an immediate departure in the TARDIS, whisking them away before they can share their adventures. Amidst their travels, Barbara, remarks on the clothes she now wears, which draws the company into a brief discussion on their destination. As Vicki and Barbara leave to change clothes, Ian presses The Doctor on the seriousness of their current situation. The Doctor tells Ian that their ship has been ensnared by an unseen force. Despite the mayhem, the TARDIS continues its journey through time and space.

Events in This Episode

The narrative beats that drive the story

Act 1

The episode opens with chaos in the arena as Ian and Delos battle imperial guards, attempting to rescue Barbara. Nero, delighting in the violence, uses Barbara as a shield, ensuring the fight's intensity. Ian and Delos manage to escape, but Barbara remains trapped, prompting Nero to vow to ensnare them upon their inevitable return. Meanwhile, Poppaea, dissatisfied with Barbara as a slave, orders Tavius to dispose of her. Desperate, Barbara appeals to Tavius for help, revealing Nero's plan to use her to trap Ian. Tavius, motivated by his own precarious position with Poppaea, agrees to assist, disclosing Nero's intention to feature 'Maximus Pettulion' (the Doctor) in the arena, where lions will be released. Ian and Delos, now on the run, strategize their return for Barbara, while the Doctor, mistaken for the aforementioned assassin, is unwittingly drawn into Nero's deadly schemes.

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Scene 5

Scene 6

Scene 7

Act 2

The Doctor, mistakenly identified as Maximus Pettulion, an alleged assassin, is informed by Tavius of his impending arena performance where he will face lions. Nero, entering the chamber, confirms the Doctor's 'performance.' During their conversation, the Doctor's glasses inadvertently magnify the sun's rays, setting Nero's elaborate architectural plans for 'New Rome' ablaze. Initially furious, Nero quickly shifts from rage to inspired madness, realizing the fire provides a perfect pretext to burn down the existing city and rebuild it entirely according to his own vision, bypassing senatorial approval. He immediately dispatches guards to ignite fires across Rome. Simultaneously, Ian and Delos infiltrate the palace by blending with Nero's newly conscripted torchbearers, learning their mission to set the city alight. Tavius, fulfilling his promise, guides Ian to Barbara. As chaos erupts and the city begins to burn, Ian, Barbara, and Delos make their escape, while the Doctor and Vicki also navigate the burning palace to safety.

Scene 8

Scene 9

Scene 10

Scene 11

Scene 12

Act 3

As Rome burns in a spectacular inferno, the Doctor and Vicki observe the devastation from a distance. Vicki scolds the Doctor, accusing him of inadvertently inspiring Nero's destructive act, leading to a playful but pointed debate about historical meddling. Meanwhile, Ian and Barbara return to their villa, finding it in disarray. They engage in lighthearted banter while cleaning up, reflecting on their harrowing experiences and the absurdity of their situation. Just as they prepare to recount their adventures to the Doctor and Vicki, the Doctor insists on an immediate departure in the TARDIS, whisking them away before they can share their tales. Aboard the TARDIS, Barbara comments on her new clothes, sparking a brief discussion about their unknown destination. Vicki and Barbara leave to change, and Ian presses the Doctor on the seriousness of their journey. The Doctor reveals a new, ominous threat: the TARDIS has been ensnared by an unseen force, slowly dragging them down, leaving the crew facing an unknown peril beyond Rome.

Scene 13

Scene 14

Scene 15

Scene 16

Scene 17

Scene 18

Scene 19

Scene 20