1.6 The Aztecs

This is generally considered one of the best Doctor Who episodes, and definitely thought to be one of the best in William Hartnell's collection.

Maybe because it was mercifully only in four parts, I would agree that it has been the best so far. My husband took great pains to assure me that the writers wanted to make this episode as historically authentic as possible, down to the props, costumes, religion, etc.  Having allowed my brain to rot over the years, I remember very little about the Aztecs and their culture. So I will have to rely on others to assure me of the accuracy of this episode. And 'they' have.

So while I writhed in agony at having to learn something from a fictional TV show, I was forced to admit that it had a major amount of entertainment value.  This time, Barbara was very much showcased, and Susan's irritating little habits were closeted away in the seminary. [YES! Make her marry that dumbcluck! She deserves it! *ahem*]  What interested me is that the characters were separated, and had their own little story lines throughout the four weeks. 

Big picture, it flowed rather smoothly, and I think the pace stumbled a bit at times, but picked up towards the end. Again, the fact that there were only four chapters helped considerably. 

As always, there were several ludicrous moments such as:

Ian knowing how to injure people with his thumb.  Good gracious, when did he meet the Vulcans?

Ian fighting with a shield and sword.  Maybe teacher learn martial arts when we not looking?

I have noticed that there are humorous elements added to this episode, such as the Doctor drinking a cup of hot chocolate before realizing that it's part of a courtship ritual.  Come on Doctor, you are over seven hundred years now. Surely you saw this coming.  I'm excited about added humor.  Face it, the Dalek episode was not exactly a barrel of laughs. 

And who could ignore Ian in his delightful sunflower outfit? Hey mom, my acting career has just been flushed down an Aztec toilet! *But I'll do anything to buy that Jaguar.* 

Of course we had the crazy villain, who managed to be crazy in every single shot:

And again:

Yet again:

Hey, maybe you should kinda back off with all that crazy. Or maybe you just have a crush on Barbara, and this is the only way you can express it.

But really Barbara, did yah think that you could alter Aztec civilization for ever? Did yah?

The Doctor is changing. For the first time ever, he seemed genuinely concerned that he had unwittingly caused Ian to lose the fight.  In fact he seemed downright alarmed. Don't tell me you're becoming a better person, ye old sod!

Next up: The Sensorites