The Aztecs - Review of all 4 parts:
This is a 4 part adventure beginning with The Temple of Evil. It is a pure historical adventure with the TARDIS crew arriving in a tomb in 15th Century Mexico during the time of the Aztecs. The TARDIS becomes trapped inside the tomb with the crew outside the tomb's inaccessible sliding door. Barbara is taken to be the reincarnation of their goddess Yataxa by the high priest of knowledge Autloc but is doubted and proclaimed a false God by the high priest of sacrifice Tlotoxl. Barbara tries to influence against human sacrifice despite the Doctor's insistence that this is meddling in the past which cannot be done, and they all try to find a way to get to the TARDIS before the Aztecs turn on them.
This is a top notch adventure, brilliantly scripted by John Lucarotti, following on from his previous great historical adventure 'Marco Polo'. It is beautifully acted with an interesting plot that includes very strong material about whether the time travellers can or should interfere with historical events.
Doctor Who is a time travel adventure not just another space adventure. The time travel aspect made it far more unique at the time and is still a central part of what the programme is. So great historical adventures like this show the value of exploring the time travel aspect of the show. Considering morality and possible outcomes of interference in history is a tremendous concept to bring to audiences and this story does it wonderfully. It really demonstrates how axeing historical stories a few years later was a big mistake. If done seriously and intelligently like this, Marco Polo, The Massacre, The Crusade etc they were a great addition to the series. They provided variety, moral dilemmas and great drama. When turned into lightweight comedy or executed badly they flopped a bit but they needed more thought, not axeing. Rather like the whole show in 1989!
William Russell and Jacqueline Hill as Barbara and Ian are two of the finest companions the Doctor ever had and they are superb here as is William Hartnell as The Doctor.
Carole Ann Ford as Susan has one of her best performances here too. Autloc and a female elder Cameca are fantastic too.
Tremendous adventure across all four episodes.
My Ratings: All 4 Episodes 10/10.
This is a 4 part adventure beginning with The Temple of Evil. It is a pure historical adventure with the TARDIS crew arriving in a tomb in 15th Century Mexico during the time of the Aztecs. The TARDIS becomes trapped inside the tomb with the crew outside the tomb's inaccessible sliding door. Barbara is taken to be the reincarnation of their goddess Yataxa by the high priest of knowledge Autloc but is doubted and proclaimed a false God by the high priest of sacrifice Tlotoxl. Barbara tries to influence against human sacrifice despite the Doctor's insistence that this is meddling in the past which cannot be done, and they all try to find a way to get to the TARDIS before the Aztecs turn on them.
This is a top notch adventure, brilliantly scripted by John Lucarotti, following on from his previous great historical adventure 'Marco Polo'. It is beautifully acted with an interesting plot that includes very strong material about whether the time travellers can or should interfere with historical events.
Doctor Who is a time travel adventure not just another space adventure. The time travel aspect made it far more unique at the time and is still a central part of what the programme is. So great historical adventures like this show the value of exploring the time travel aspect of the show. Considering morality and possible outcomes of interference in history is a tremendous concept to bring to audiences and this story does it wonderfully. It really demonstrates how axeing historical stories a few years later was a big mistake. If done seriously and intelligently like this, Marco Polo, The Massacre, The Crusade etc they were a great addition to the series. They provided variety, moral dilemmas and great drama. When turned into lightweight comedy or executed badly they flopped a bit but they needed more thought, not axeing. Rather like the whole show in 1989!
William Russell and Jacqueline Hill as Barbara and Ian are two of the finest companions the Doctor ever had and they are superb here as is William Hartnell as The Doctor.
Carole Ann Ford as Susan has one of her best performances here too. Autloc and a female elder Cameca are fantastic too.
Tremendous adventure across all four episodes.
My Ratings: All 4 Episodes 10/10.