| THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA by Caroline Symcox |
| Story 71 Synopsis: The Doctor lands the TARDIS on Earth, in advance of a crucial conference which will establish Christianity through the world. But Erimem feels visiting Roman emperor Constantine is a force to be fought, and refuses to assist the Doctor. He threatens to leave her here forever, but she calls his bluff. At the Council, Erimem objects to the tone of debate against Arius, who saved Peri from a mob and who is unable to speak at council. She causes a storm, and leaves. The Doctor persuades Constantine to let he and Peri look for Erimem, but Constantine has a guard follow them. Peri thus leads them to Erimem. The Doctor pleads for another chance to convince Erimem she is wrong. Erimem has meanwhile organised a protest march to the palace where Constantine is staying. The Doctor urges him not to let his guards attack, and prevent a bloodbath. Constantine speaks to the crowd, acknowledging their efforts, and sympathising. Erimem accepts that Constantine is not the ogre she thought. History will continue as it should. |
| Review:- The companion from history comes close to home, where her instincts take over... The historical format has become a rare and precious commodity for this series, as even the most innocent looking scenarios turn out to have someone meddling around. This is a shame, as there are plenty of incidents which do not need overcooking to make them dramatic. The titular Council here is every bit as crucial as the Doctor claims, and so it doesn't take much to threaten it - with Erimem proving surprisingly keen to upset the applecart. At its heart, this is a very simple tale about the true picture of Emperor Constantine, and the challenging views of Arius. What neither realise (nor even the Doctor, really) is that both men can fall victim to the intentions of others, with Athanasius determined to get his way regardless. The low point of the play comes at the end of the 1st episode, where Erimem and the Doctor have a stand-up debate outside the TARDIS to let the viewer know what's happening. As a way to foster tension, it's laughable, and the resulting cliffhanger is overturned so cheaply as to make it pointless. At the other end, the high point comes with Constantine's speech to the assembled masses, where he makes his case plain, and shows he is not the unthinking brute that some would prefer to believe. David Bamber makes the most of the role, identifying the Doctor as a peacemaker, but less than impressed when he keeps being let down. Erimem's odd temper about Arius does eventually boil down, but it really should have done so much earlier. Perhaps a hotheadedness is her doom? On the whole, whilst superfluous to most who don't believe in Christianity anyway, it's a nice little tale, well presented and acted, that shows what gems can be found in history. |
| Disclaimer: I own a copy. |