Bluffer’s Guide to Doctor Who: The Aztecs (Eps. 27–30)
Time-travelling requires you to make little sacrifices…
Describe The Aztecs in six words or less:
Time-travel and morality: Who has heart.
This is… the one where Barbara’s a goddess.
(I might need to be more specific because we all know that Barbara is a goddess. I mean, she’s mistaken for Yetaxa by the Aztecs)
Why was this made?: Due to Doctor Who’s educational remit, Verity Lambert (producer) and David Whitaker (story editor) were commissioning historical scripts. A lot of these ended up not being produced, such as Terry Nation’s The Red Fort about the Indian Mutiny, in favour for more sci-fi adventure serials. However, John Lucarotti had a bot of luck as he had been commissioned to produce three serials. The first was Marco Polo, and The Aztecs was the second (We’ll get to the third in 1966).
William Russell, who played Ian, had complained that the regulars had been side-lined in Marco Polo. As such, The Aztecs was written to give each of the four regulars action, largely by dividing them up. Carole Ann Ford’s Susan would go to school, William Hartnell’s Doctor would join the elders in the Garden of Peace, William Russell’s Ian would train as an Aztec warrior, and Jacqueline Hill’s Barbara would be mistaken for the reincarnation of Yetaxa, and would be able to engage with the other subplots as required.
John Crockett, who had directed Episode 4 of Marco Polo, would directed all four episodes of The Aztecs. The script and the production also incorporated Carole Ann Ford’s holiday. Her scenes for Episodes 2 and 3 were pre-recorded on film allowing her to be absent. The film was played live in the studio and recorded during the recording session.
What Happens?:
The TARDIS lands inside a temple. Barbara exits first and is mistaken for the reincarnation of Yetaxa by the Aztecs: a deception she allows.
The travellers discover that the TARDIS is trapped in the temple. Barbara uses her position to allow her friends to explore Aztec culture while they investigate a way to re-enter the temple. However, she also decides to alter the ritual of human sacrifice, in the hope that when Cortez and the conquistadors discover the Aztecs, the Aztecs will not be destroyed. The Doctor strongly warns her against this.
Her banning of a human sacrifice to bring rain, makes Tlotoxl, the High Priest of Sacrifice, doubt her.
Barbara and Tlotoxl are caught in a battle, each trying to outwit the other and play Autloc, High Priest of knowledge, against the other.
The Doctor and Ian discover the way out. When the opportunity arises to rescue Susan, they do so and make their exit. Tlotoxl continues the ritual of human sacrifice.
Barbara reflects that she was unable to change Aztec society. However, the Doctor points out that she did change the mind of Autloc, who has left. As they leave, the Doctor pockets a bracelt given to him by Cameca, an Aztec woman he was engaged to during their stay there.
Observations / Things to Say:
- We don’t waste time: Barbara is surrounded by Aztec guards and confronted by Autloc in the first three minutes.
- Hartnell/Doctor having a whale of a time in Ep 1. Doesn’t stop being on fire for the rest of the story. He spots Cameca first and makes a bee-line for her. Their relationship is charming. Time-travellers in love! (Altos and Sabetha just didn’t cut it last time, too last minute).
- The Doctor again dismisses his medicinal credentials, says he is “a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things.” (I wonder if this keeps happening to stop kids thinking GP every time they hear “doctor”?)
- John Lucarotti is a master of drama and education. Ep 2 is especially tense. So glad that we have these episodes.
- Ian just killed someone! Just a reaction shot to cover it. Not even a Terry Nation-esque remorse scene at the end?
- John Crockett does some impressive panning with his composite sets, and loves a good depth-of-field. Makes me wish we had Marco Polo Ep 4.
Don’t Say:
- “These Aztecs are overdressed!”
They’re not. Except the women who didn’t wear much at all.
Between You and Me
1960s Doctor Who at its best. During the 50th anniversary celebrations, it was this story chosen by BBC America to represent the First Doctor era. And we should be glad of it: Time-travel and its realities take centre-stage; Barbara the history teacher gets to use her knowledge as Aztec culture was one of her specialities; Hartnell gets to play the Doctor as a romantic and comical figure not just authoritative and crotchety. Ian and Susan get sub-plots they deserve, frankly. Any flaws in production are shared with other 1960s stories, so let’s appreciate this one for its characterisation, its plotting, and everything else it gets right.
Further / Recommend Reading: