The Council of Nicaea

Main Range #71

Released: July 2005

Listened: 12/12/19

Another true historical, but kind of a strange one. The Doctor and crew go to Nicaea intentionally, to witness the Council, except Erimem and Peri seem to have no idea what it’s about. (Erimem was born before Christianity, but she’s met Richeleau, so has some idea. Peri’s a non-practicing American Baptist, and has no clue at all.) I’m at a loss as to why they wanted to go in the first place. Erimem gets awfully invested in a religious argument that has nothing to do with her, and once again seems on the verge of breaking with the Doctor and Peri. It was written by Caroline Symcox, an Anglican vicar and Paul Cornell’s wife, which probably explains why there’s so much time spent making sure the listener understands the religious implications of what’s happening, and why it was so important to the people of the time, and to history. She also leans into the “there’s good people on all sides” explanation, and oddly, a scene of pacifist protesters confronting an army that doesn’t turn into a bloodbath. Historically interesting, but it probably works better if you have an interest in that religion.