TV #6: The Aztecs

TARDIS crew;

• First Doctor

• Susan 

• Ian

• Barbara

Notable Characters; 

• Autloc- High Priest of Knowledge

• Tlotoxl- High Priest of Sacrifice 

• Cameca- Resident of the Garden of Peace

• Ixta- Army commander 

Detailed Plot; 

The Temple of Evil

An excellent introductory episode that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish! It begins with the TARDIS departing Marinus after a sublime six part serial in The Keys of Marinus. But from one great writer to another, John Lucarotti, writer of Marco Polo, is back with another historical. 

The TARDIS has materialised in a cave of sorts and a dead and decayed body is witnessed by the TARDIS exiting Susan and Barbara. The latter instantly noticed that the body was an Aztec priest of some rank. Something was certain- Barbara was mightily interested! She presumed the year was around 1430 due to the early period garments of the long dead body. Susan didn't seem too happy about being in the period of the Aztecs, she disliked their viciousness. The cave seemed to have a door and it opened up and through it was the interior of a marvellous temple. Barbara went through and what she saw she described as 'perfect' but then she was caught and warriors took her away. She was claimed to have trespassed in the temple of Yetaxa, but the apparent leader seemed to be mesmerised by the bracelet Barbara had picked up from the dead body. The door between the temple and the cave had shut and Susan called for her grandfather and Ian. 

The Doctor, humorously, seemed annoyed at how Barbara had gone running off. The trio went through the door and were very impressed at being overhead a glorious Aztec city. The Doctor did though mention his dislike of the Mexico natives' gruesome habits. Suddenly, the door to the cave slammed shut. The TARDIS was sealed off and the Doctor knew that the tomb was designed for one way entry only, to be pushed from the outside. The trio were now confronted by Autloc, the seemed leader, and he honoured them and claimed they were the 'servants of Yetaxa.' Autloc was a High Priest of the Aztecs. The bracelet of Yetaxa (a deceased Aztec goddess) seemed to make Barbara the equivalent of the Queen! 

The trio, still separated from Barbara, didn't like the look of Tlotoxl, the 'butcher' within the Aztec community. He mentioned how the rain god demanded blood in return for water, but of course that was not true. Although they were very mythological. Due to my love of History (currently studying AS level and achieved an A* at GCSE), I was very interested by the Aztec people and culture despite not yet studying them. 

Barbara was seen and was acting as a Queen! She was presumed to be a reincarnation of Yetaxa herself, and the rest of the TARDIS crew were her servants. But the TARDIS was still trapped and despite the advantage Barbara's role gave her, the Doctor knew they had to be careful though as Barbara was supposed to know everything about the Aztec people and if for one second the Mexicans suspected her as a fake then that would mean the death of her and her 'servants.' 

Ian, on the question of Tlotoxl, was to lead the Aztec army. Now that wasn't strictly true as he had a rival. His worth needed to be proved, would he be better than the current leader Ixta? Time would tell. The Doctor meanwhile had been taken to the garden of peace. Ian was introduced to Ixta by Tlotoxl and the latter explained how the army leader had absolutely no fear of death. He demonstrated his skills and he seemed more than an equal to Ian, in fact I guessed he'd be much more than that. Ixta had intentions of being remembered as the slayer of a servant of Yetaxa. He wanted something to fight for, and it was a pretty big title! 

In the garden of peace, Autloc showed the Doctor around and explained how people would retire into the garden at the age of 52 and would have no burden of responsibility upon themselves. Cameca was introduced and immediately she had the Doctor's interest. The Doctor soon got talking with her and fortunately she knew of the temple designer. However, he was dead. She did though know of his soon and would kindly arrange a meeting with him for the Doctor. Ian had made his way to the garden and as a possible leader of the army he was comically dressed to the Doctor's amusement. Ian explained how he had been ordered to hold down the victim of an upcoming human sacrifice. A horrible responsibility to have but the Doctor demanded that he did so and wouldn't interfere in the happenings. The Doctor rushed to Barbara and told her of the sacrifice that was due and demanded no interference. But Barbara ignored him and 'forbidded' any human lives to be taken. She claimed that there would be no human sacrifice, not now not ever. She wanted to eliminate the evilness of the Aztecs but this outraged the Doctor and caused him to say arguably my favourite quote in Doctor Who history! 'You can't rewrite history, not one line!' I adored Hartnell as the Doctor at this point. However, Barbara's new found goddess status had risen to her head and claimed her mind was already made up. 

The sacrifice was seen, ready to be killed. Autloc presented Barbara as Yetaxa to the masses of people below the temple that was on high ground. Loud cheers were heard. Ian and Ixta were holding down the sacrifice and Tlotoxl called upon the rain god. Susan though was scared and horrified as to what was about to occurred and even shouted out. This prompted Barbara to order that the ceremony be stopped. The sacrifice ironically was displeased, having been denied honour in his death. He decided to jump from the temple to the depths below. He'd committed suicide and with his death came the rain. 

Tlotoxl wasn't happy with Susan at all after she'd screamed out and wanted her punished. Barbara of course denied that and instead allowed Autloc, who was obeying her every word, to take her to be educated about the law of the Aztecs. Tlotoxl though had had enough and claimed Barbara to be a fake goddess, of whom he would destroy! A brilliant cliffhanger to a fantastic opening part! 

The Warriors of Death

Episode two was another excellent part of the serial and again, I thoroughly enjoyed. It begins with the repeat of Tlotoxl's claim in destroying Barbara as he believed she was a fake goddess. He wouldn't of course kill her there and then so there was no immediate danger to resolve. The camera spun onto the bracelet of Yetaxa emphasising it's importance and why Barbara is being treated like a Queen. The Doctor was angered at his companion as human sacrifice is the tradition and religion of the Aztecs, and Barbara had taken that away from them. She did admit that she wasn't thinking straight but now Tlotoxl's faith in her was lost.

Susan had been taken to a seminary to learn about the rules of the Aztec community. This also annoyed the Doctor but he was apologetic to his companion after coming down hard on her. He encouraged Barbara to concentrate on convincing Autloc more and more that she was the real Yetaxa as Tlotoxl wouldn't dare defy the High Priest of Knowledge. The Doctor mentioned how he'd met Cameca and that comically lead to Barbara referring to him as a rogue. 

Tlotoxl arrived into the temple unannounced, claiming he didn't need to knock or seek permission from a false goddess. He wanted to question her to prove she was in fact Yetaxa, her knowledge would prove whether she was or not. Ian and Ixta were seen together and soon they'd be versing each other with the winner, whom would be the survivor, to command the Aztec army.  The pair were preparing and to the 15th century natives they were confused at Ian's claims of being able to defeat Ixta with just his thumb. Ian demonstrated and Ixta was out cold. Tlotoxl entered and was shocked, whilst Autloc admired the skill. Apparent army members were seen and as Ixta awoke he wasn't happy. He believed it was his right to command the army and claimed Ian's thumb use was a trick. A second meeting between the two would be arranged by the 'perfect victim' who must be obeyed. As previously stated, Tlotoxl wanted Ian destroyed! 

The Doctor was now seen in the garden of peace and was intrigued by Cameca. She'd arranged a meeting for him with the son of the tomb designer for today. Meanwhile, Barbara's questioning from Autloc had begun. Her 'servants' weren't allowed into the temple as there was the possibility of conspiring. 

Intriguingly Cameca met with Ixta to arrange a meeting. He was the son of the temple designer! She explained how the Doctor knew of magic and that's what Ixta was after. This pleased Ixta greatly, now knowing that his enemies would destroy themselves! 

Susan was being questioned by Autloc in the seminary and she had learnt a great deal quickly. She was also questioned about marriage but similarly to in Marco Polo, she didn't want a husband chosen for her at all. Back in the garden of peace Ixta met with the Doctor and the latter was experimenting with leaves of some sort. Ixta wanted advice on how to counter magic whilst the Doctor wanting the drawings of the temple Ixta mentioned he had. A bargain was agreed and they'd both assist each other. The Doctor of course had no idea that Ian was the opponent of Ixta but gave him horticultural weaponry. A leaf with the spike of a cactus, if used to scratch then the opponent would grow weak. 

Ixta challenged Ian to a battle of no weapons, and was now confident. Tlotoxl again wished the death of Yetaxa's servant. Meanwhile, Barbara was explaining to Autloc how she feared Tlotoxl and what he may do to her. Interestingly, Barbara explained how she 'foresees' the future of the Aztecs. Being from 1963 she would of course already know it. She foresaw the doom of the Aztec people, Autloc thought deeply on that possibility, not too keen on the thought. 

The Doctor gave his horticultural weapon to Ixta and told him to make sure the scratch occurred on the wrist. Tlotoxl wasn't happy at Barbara prophesying the doom of the people. The Doctor still awaited his drawings but was promised he'd receive them. He did though visit Barbara but he shouldn't of been there whilst 'Yetaxa' was still under questioning. She told the Doctor how Ixta was Ian's opponent and this worried him! He needed to quickly warn Ian but as he left the warriors took the Doctor as he'd transgressed the law. Barbara explained how he didn't know it however and this would prompt Autloc to release him. 

Barbara cancelled the battle between Ixta and Ian but after finding out that it was weaponless she allowed it to remain. The contest began in the commandeering room and immediately a struggle ensued. The Doctor inadvertently distracted Ian trying to warn him about being scratched but the moment was when Ixta struck the scratch! Ian's strength would soon vanish. The Doctor demanded the fight be support but it was denied. The contest continued and Ixta had gained the upper hand. Autloc was powerless to stop the fight and Tlotoxl wanted it to go to the death! 

It seemed Ixta had win but Autloc forbade the death of Ian, if it wasn't too late from the scratch anyway. Barbara though surprisingly arrived having exited her place in the temple. Tlotoxl stated a question to Barbara- if she truly is Yetaxa, then she can save him... 

A great cliffhanger to another very good episode! I look forward to seeing how the second half of the serial pans out. 

The Bride of Sacrifice 

Another very good episode and thus far I'm pleasantly surprised as to how good this serial is! It seems every time I watch The Aztecs it improves from the last viewing and unless the last episode is disastrous that will be the case again here. 

After the great cliffhanger of the previous part, this episode begins with 'Yetaxa' being loyal to her servants. She was threatened to save Ian and immediately grabbed a knife and had Tlotoxl at knife point! I loved this from Barbara! Tlotoxl was scared and obeyed the false goddess. The contest between Ian and Ixta was stopped with the latter not permitted to claim victory. 

Ixta told Tlotoxl how the Doctor aided him because he wanted drawings of the layout of the cave of Yetaxa, in which the TARDIS was trapped. It was clear that Tlotoxl was embarrassed at how Barbara had threatened him. She claimed that a sacrifice was 'evil' and most definitely the High Priest of such an event was undoubtedly bad. Autloc revealed how there was to be an eclipse in three days, and a sacrifice would be given to the sun god so the sun would shine again. 

Tlotoxl was interested as to why the Doctor wanted the cave drawings, thinking he wasn't a loyal servant. The Doctor wanted help from Tlotoxl about the caves and in return he'd give the High Priest of Sacrifice his proof that Barbara was a false goddess. 

Ian soon waked but was immediately confronted by Ixta who told him how the Doctor had helped defeat his own companion. Ixta was now helping Ian which was interesting claiming they could be friends until the next meeting. But that would be when Ixta killed Ian. He seemed certain of that! Tlotoxl soon entered and was eager to get the temple drawings from Ixta. However, none existed. Ixta was a selfish man and only cared for his own needs. This confirmed to Ian why the Doctor pitted against him, he of course didn't know Ian was whom he was plotting against. Ixta claimed that the temple's secret died with his father long ago. 

Tonila was fully introduced and Tlotoxl wanted his help in destroying Yetaxa! He refused claiming that if they 'destroy the gods, we'd destroy ourselves.' But Tlotoxl was clever and persuaded Tonila to join him, to create a poison for Barbara to drink and if she'd survive, then undoubtedly she would in fact be the spirit of Yetaxa. If she wasn't, she'd die. Tonila unconvincingly agreed and would prepare the mixture. 

Cameca was now seen in the garden of peace and it was clear she'd taken a shine to the Doctor. The Doctor was intrigued at the sign on a large square stone in the garden. Cameca explained how that was the sacred sign of Yetaxa. She had cocoa beans and the Doctor joyfully prepared a cup of cocoa for the pair who were visibly fond of each other. However, it was pretty evident that Cameca was in love!  

Ian went to see Barbara and he explained how what she was trying to do was wrong. Everyone shared Tlotoxl's view about Barbara. Ian was trying to make Barbara see how she couldn't change a whole civilisation but she still seemed committed to altering the Aztecs! However, with a bit more persuasion, it seemed her realisation had occurred. However, Tlotoxl and Tonila arrived and claimed that if Barbara drank the drink they'd brought, it would be a sign of their new found friendship and Tlotoxl would then serve Yetaxa. She accepted but Ian, in hiding, signalled warning her not to drink it. Instead, she told Tlotoxl to have a drink of it first. He was shocked and stuttering, he wouldn't drink the poison. Barbara was angered and then admitted that she'd have died had she drunk it. She admitted that she was a fake goddess. But claimed that if he said a word, she'd have him destroyed. Ian comforted Barbara as Tlotoxl left, they planned on getting out and to the TARDIS. They'd had enough of 15th century Mexico.

The Doctor had made himself and Cameca a glass of cocoa for the pair to share and from this Cameca took it as a declaration of love from the Doctor! It seemed she'd accepted his proposal (nothing physically had been proposed) but the Doctor, humorously, was more surprised than anyone! This was outstandingly brilliant and showed perfectly why William Hartnell is my favourite classic Doctor. 

Autloc was still loyal to Barbara despite her prophecy of doom. Tlotoxl was looking for a way to expose Barbara as the fake goddess that she was but he knew she was very intelligent. It did though seem that he'd found the weakness of 'Yetaxa' in her servants. He wanted to find a husband for Susan! The next human sacrifice victim was seen. He was honoured to have been chosen to ascend to the sun god. Shockingly, he wanted Susan to be his bride! It seemed the laws were that the next sacrificial victim couldn't be denied anything in his last few days to live. Susan, echoing her thoughts from Marco Polo, refused and broke the law. Tlotoxl wanted her punished. Susan though was sad and sick of the Aztec period now. She just wanted to be with her grandfather. 

Back in the garden of peace and Cameca gave the Doctor a token of love, on which was the sign of Yetaxa. It seemed the Doctor was going along with the seemed engagement and that the pair should have a garden of their own! Meanwhile, Barbara was confronted by Tlotoxl and he explained about an upcoming punishment that was due. Autloc was a witness to the crime and Barbara respected him so wouldn't deny the punishment to occur on the day of the eclipse. Permission was granted but of course she didn't know that it was Susan who would be punished! 

The Doctor showed Ian his token and realised how the sign of Yetaxa was on it as well as the large stone in the garden and that lead the Doctor to believing that behind the large stone was a tunnel through to the temple and to the TARDIS! Ian questioned where the Doctor had received the token and humorously explained how his 'fiancee' had given it to him. That lead to some brief but great banter between the Doctor and Ian, a relationship that is already fantastic. The pair intended on meeting at the stone and hoped to get through to the TARDIS and escape whilst everybody slept. 

Barbara soon found out from Autloc that it was Susan who was to be punished and she wasn't happy at all! She wanted it to be stopped but it wasn't quite that straight forward. It was now night and Ian left the commanding room whilst Ixta slept but as soon as Ian left Ixta sprung into life, was armed and followed after Ian. In the garden, the Doctor was trying to retrieve the large stone and as Ian arrived and had a go himself he managed to remove it and behind it there was in fact a tunnel. Ian went in and was given a torch but mysteriously Ixta loomed, watching on. He soon approached the alone Doctor who was surprised and acted clueless about the stone. Ixta replaced it in its place. Ian was trapped in and then Ixta revealed a horrifying blow. The tunnel was a water course. The Doctor was powerless to prevent the stone from being closed as it would reveal too much. Ian was inside and trapped. The water started to shoot down the tunnel... No way out. 

A magnificent cliffhanger and I look very much forward to seeing how the serial concludes! 

The Day of Darkness

A very good concluding episode and despite it being great it wasn't quite the thrilling finale I had hoped for. With Ian stuck in the tunnel and the water piling in, he looked petrified. He looked above and on the compact ceiling above he saw the sign of Yetaxa and with the water filling up he pushed and pushed but couldn't get any luck. He then tried sliding the panel, success. Ian has escaped in the nick of time! He was crawling through to what he hoped was the temple. The Doctor was seen in the garden at the stone and was very worried, wanting the tunnel reopened. He told Ixta how Ian was within but he was remorseless and just laughed, enjoying how the Doctor had given him victory over his army commander rival. The Doctor was distressed.     

Suddenly, the corpse of Yetaxa was seen and Ian popped out from underneath the raised platform. He saw the TARDIS and was filled with joy. He immediately went to the door leading through to the temple and he seemed he have a plan. There was a long belt-like item by the Yetaxa corpse and he seemed like he was going to use it try and keep the door open, or at least be able to pull it open from the other side. Ian went through, with the belt that was tied to a ledge the other side of the tomb. 

The Doctor rushed to Barbara, gutted and horrified, to tell her about the death of Ian. But to his joy Ian popped out from behind the chair alive and well. The Doctor was very pleased! It seemed everyone else in the community thought Ian was dead. The trio just needed Susan now and wanted to leave to the TARDIS as quickly as possible. Ixta had been chosen to guard Susan though, something Tlotoxl felt was an important duty. 

Ixta told Susan how Ian was dead, but then Ian himself sneaked up from behind and knocked out Ixta! Susan knew her friend wasn't dead. Ian and Susan headed up to the temple. Now for the first time in quite a while, the TARDIS crew were together and planned on pulling the door open. The Doctor knew it would be a lot more difficult than it seemed and the belt seemed to have snapped or come loose! Meanwhile, Ixta awoke and was confused as to how Ian had survived and gotten out of the tunnel. Tlotoxl was not happy with Ixta in letting Ian return and take Susan. With Ian presumed dead, but then returning, this worried Tlotoxl as it would be a sign of Yetaxa's power in allowing her servant to be resurrected. This would convince Autloc beyond doubt that Barbara was the true goddess. But he did have a plan after seeing a weapon of Ian's left close by and it seemed he planned on framing him! 

Ian and Susan left the Doctor and Barbara in the temple, and planned on going through the tunnel and opening the door from the other side allowing the rest of the crew to go through. Meanwhile in the garden, Autloc was seen knocked out, with Ian's club placed right next to him. Ian and Susan noticed him injured and as they went to help the guards sprang out and took Ian and Susan away, guilty. Tlotoxl's framing had worked and with Ian the supposed culprit of the crime, this convinced Autloc that Barbara was a false goddess. This could not be good for the TARDIS crew! With Ian and Susan out of action, Tlotoxl now intended on imprisoning Barbara!    

Things didn't look like improving as Ixta wanted to 'butcher' Ian. The Doctor was visibly affected in the garden and Cameca suggested their wedding be postponed. I guess one good thing had come out of this for the Doctor? Meanwhile, Barbara and Autloc had met and he was questioning her, the false goddess. Barbara though was trying convince him again that she was true, and put forward the question of who'd benefit from the break down of the friendship between Barbara and Autloc. Tlotoxl of course. Autloc did still have respect for Barbara and said that he may be able to save Susan from punishment, but not Ian. He was too closely guarded and still presumed to be his attacker. 

The eclipse loomed and as time passed the Doctor seemed to have constructed a small wheel in the garden. Boredom, or did he have a plan? Cameca realised slowly that her time with the Doctor was ending and this saddened her. Autloc comforted her, the pair had a lot of faith in each other. Autloc gave her an object that he wanted given to Ixta. It was of high value and importance. 

Tonila was organising the ceremony that was in action and it was time for Barbara to attend. She was saddened at Autloc's choice to leave into the wilderness, and he'd never return. Barbara was powerless to ask for the release of Ian and Susan now as most, if not everybody, looked up to Tlotoxl and his views that she was a false goddess. In a guarded room, Cameca arrived with the ornament given to her by Autloc and was about to give it to Ixta. But she claimed he had to earn it. The warriors were forced to leave and was clear that Cameca was helping her lovers friends. It seemed Autloc had remained faithful to Barbara. Ian quickly knocked out Ixta and took his helmet while Susan went off with Cameca into safety. 

Tonila and Tlotoxl were conspiring together and the High Priest of Sacrifice wanted Tonila to replace Autloc as the High Priest of Knowledge now. Their plan seemed to be working well. Inside the temple and Cameca had brought Susan to her love and Barbara. She clearly loved the Doctor and wanted to stay by his side, but without words it was visible the Doctor declined the request. She left, wanting him to think of her in his future. The Doctor definitely liked her in some fashion, but I wasn't sure if it was love. 

Barbara was now in the ceremony with Ian, hidden by the helmet, protecting her. He was mistaken for Ixta by the looks which worked favourably. Tlotoxl was grabbed by Ian as he planned on attacking Barbara! The false goddess quickly ran off to the safety of the temple. Tlotoxl was again embarrassed but was left to go, he still had one last plan. But for now, Ian had other plans. Ixta confronted him and a stand off occurred, the final battle was to commence high above the ground. A fight broke out and now it seemed that the ceremony had been abandoned. After a struggle, Ian was victorious as he catapulted Ixta with his legs to the ground far below, and to his death. The crew were together and in a rush and opened the temple door with the help of the wheel. Tlotoxl and his warriors stormed the temple as they left, allowing them to leave. But a sacrifice was still to be made. 

Barbara returned her garments to the corpse and questioned the point of travelling in time if they couldn't change anything. She was unhappy at how Tlotoxl had won, but he had to win really. He'd gotten his sacrifice. The Doctor placed down his love token from Cameca, but quickly grabbed it back. He definitely liked her in some way which was actually fantastic to see. The grumpy old man had a soft side. 

The TARDIS crew were now inside the TARDIS and it was travelling. They'd arrived and a mysterious scratching noise was heard. It seemed the TARDIS instruments were contradicting each other. One set said the TARDIS had landed while another said it was still moving! Barbara suggested that they'd landed inside something. A good little lead into the next serial! 

My analysis; 

Overall The Aztecs was magnificent! Another wonderful historical by John Lucarotti and this certainly matched the quality of Marco Polo. Due to my love of history, I was hooked from the beginning and the plot that ensued from it was fantastic. It was a simple problem but a great one having the TARDIS trapped through an inoperable door. There were similarities to Marco Polo which I liked as here you had a mischievous and honest enemy in Tlotoxl, similarly to Tegana. I thought it was ironic brilliance in how we weren't supposed to like Tlotoxl and were supposed to worry for Barbara despite the companion clearly being in the wrong in wanting to change history and proclaiming herself a goddess! The relationship between the Doctor and Cameca was fascinating, humorous and just excellent! They got engaged which was marvellous! Autloc was a great character and I really liked how he believed Barbara was Yetaxa. Ixta was a good and unique character who seemed to often sway from being a good person to totally evil! Tonila was also a good character. Susan again giving her strong thoughts about marriage was very good. The cliffhangers were excellent throughout and the mythology, accurate history and twisting plot made this a very strong story. The final part could have been a bit more dramatic but overall I very much enjoyed and the mysterious lead in to the next serial was very intriguing! So far, for the very beginnings of Doctor Who, season one has been mightily impressive.

Rating; 9/10