There are two things that make me especially happy in this episode, and I can’t decide which I like best--Ian dressed as a big ol’ bird, or the Doctor having a crush.The crew materialize inside the tomb of an Aztec priest. Barbara, who it turns out specialized in MesoAmerican History, casually puts on a bracelet and is mistaken for the reincarnation of the priest Yetaxa. Realizing her power, she decides she’s going to fix Aztec culture by, among other things, abolishing the practice of human sacrifice--which doesn’t really sit well with Tlotoxtl, the priest in charge of human sacrifice (John Ringham). As the rest of the crew are mistaken for Barbara’s servants, Ian is assigned to lead the army, putting him in the path of the present leader, Ixta (Ian Cullen), and the Doctor is sent to spend time with the elders, who form a sort of advisory counsel--especially Cameca (Margot Van der Burgh). When it is perceived that Susan interrupts a sacrifice, Tlotoxtl becomes convinced of what he’s suspecting--that Barbara is not their reincarnated priest, and the whole crew are frauds.
Let’s get the jaguar in the middle of the room out of the way first: all of the Aztec character are played by British actors in make-up. Here is where I remind you that 1964 was not the same as 2020 and sensitivity towards other cultures was not as much a concern as it is today. But in some cases, like with Ringham*, it’s hard to ignore and it can be a little unsettling. There’s also a couple of moments with Susan that are a little winge-worthy (Stop modeling that helmet, girl!)
...which is a pity because, Barbara apparently not being okay with human sacrifice but not above a little grave robbing because she finds something pretty (I try not to think about whether she took this bracelet off of the corpse’s person) notwithstanding, this is a fairly decent episode with a lot more nuance than you’d expect thanks to writer John Lucarotti. Apparently, Lucarotti researched Aztec culture, and I like how he never lose sight of the richness of the period. He seems to approach this as a complex, vital society all their own regardless of what we’ve come to believe in regards to modern morality.
Lucarotti uses the contrast between a 15th century Aztec city and then-modern society to introduce the thesis of the serial--namely that, as the Doctor himself tells Barbara, “You can’t rewrite history--not one line!"** That he does so pretty organically is pretty impressive, and the conflict seems to arise naturally out of the characters. And that naturalness does extend to most of the Aztec personages if, you know, they weren’t British and all. I like both Cameca and Autloc (Keith Pyott), the priest of knowledge...who you suspect has figured out the pointlessness of human sacrifice but continues to go along with it.
Everyone, even Susan seems to have a character moment, but I am so charmed by The Doctor becoming smitten with Cameca, and it’s one of my favorite moments of the first season so far given how unexpected Hartnell’s reaction to her is. I also like the way the Doctor and Ian’s relationship continues to evolve, with Hartnell being allowed to show some dark humor in his responses to Russell’s comment and questions.
Regrettable choices aside, this is a pretty great episode and a good template for what the ‘pure historical’ serials should be. I’m looking forward to seeing this play out.
*--I know you expect me to comment on Ringham’s vaguely Joker-esque make-up job, but I’m more concerned with the way the wig he’s wearing looks vaguely Mod-ish.
**--I know, I know. That rule gets bent, twisted, flaunted and out and out broken in later seasons leading up to and including NuWho. At this point, just go with it.
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