Stories Television Doctor Who Season 1 Serial: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The Aztecs 1 image Overview Episodes Characters How to Watch Reviews 22 Statistics Related Stories Quotes 5 Transcript Overview First aired Saturday, May 23, 1964 Production Code F Written by John Lucarotti Directed by John Crockett Runtime 100 minutes Time Travel Past Tropes (Potential Spoilers!) Breaking the Fourth Wall, Mistaken Identity, Pure Historical, Rewriting History, Romance Location (Potential Spoilers!) Earth, Mexico Synopsis The arrival of the TARDIS in 15th century Mexico leads the crew to encounter the doomed Aztec people, a mixture of high culture and brutal savagery. Matters are further complicated when Barbara is mistaken for a god and the Doctor becomes engaged to be married. Watch Watched Favourite Favourited Add Review Edit Review Log a repeat Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Owned Save to my list Saved Edit date completed Custom Date Release Date Archive (no date) Save 4 Episodes The Temple of Evil First aired Saturday, May 23, 1964 Runtime 25 minutes Written by John Lucarotti Directed by John Crockett UK Viewers 7.4 million Appreciation Index 62 Synopsis The TARDIS arrives on Earth landing in 16th century Aztec society. Barbara goes off exploring - despite the Doctor's orders not to wander off - and is taken away by the high priest Autloc who believes she is the reincarnation of the goddess Yetaxa. They believe it is a sign that the rains - which are late - will now come. The high priest of sacrifice Tlotoxl recruits Ian to lead their army but he finds he has a rival in Ixta. Ian is less than comfortable with his role when he learns that they are to deliver the human sacrifice to the high priest at the rain ceremony. The Doctor emphasizes that they must not interfere with Aztec rituals, something that does not sit well with Barbara. The Warriors of Death First aired Saturday, May 30, 1964 Runtime 25 minutes Written by John Lucarotti Directed by John Crockett UK Viewers 7.4 million Appreciation Index 62 Synopsis Barbara tries to change the course of history - and Ian fights for his life. The Bride of Sacrifice First aired Saturday, June 6, 1964 Runtime 25 minutes Written by John Lucarotti Directed by John Crockett UK Viewers 7.9 million Appreciation Index 57 Synopsis While the Doctor tries to find a way back to the TARDIS, Tlotoxl continues to plot Barbara's downfall and sees an opening when Susan questions Aztec custom. The Day of Darkness First aired Saturday, June 13, 1964 Runtime 25 minutes Written by John Lucarotti Directed by John Crockett UK Viewers 7.4 million Appreciation Index 58 Synopsis Tlotoxl's machinations result in both Susan and Ian being arrested. With the TARDIS once again trapped inside the tomb, the travellers' only hope for escape lies with Autloc and Cameca. Show All Episodes Characters First Doctor William Hartnell Susan Carole Ann Ford Barbara Wright Jacqueline Hill Ian Chesterton William Russell Tlotoxl John Ringham First Appearance Cameca Margot Van der Burgh Autloc Keith Pyott Ixta Ian Cullen Show All Characters (8) How to watch The Aztecs: Watch on iPlayer DVD The Aztecs VHS The Aztecs (VHS) DVD The Aztecs: Special Edition Reviews Add Review Edit Review Sort: Date (Newest First) Date (Oldest First) Likes (High-Low) Likes (Low-High) Rating (High-Low) Rating (Low-High) Word count (High-Low) Word count (Low-High) Username (A-Z) Username (Z-A) Spoilers First Spoilers Last 22 reviews 15 May 2025 · 120 words Review by EBP I find this one kind of interesting, partly because it puts Barbara on a really cool pedestal for the serial as a high priestess of the Aztec civilization and partly because it’s the first one I really feel like asks the question “can we as the Doctor and his companions change history?” in a way that isn't like with the Tribe of Gum. The answer is, well… no. Which makes sense, but it’ll be neat to revisit this stance on the idea between this serial and the point where Donna Noble accidentally renames gravity to be “mavity.” I feel like this could have moved a little faster like The Keys of Marinus did, but for a four-part serial it’s alright. EBP View profile Like Liked 0 8 May 2025 · 137 words Review by Dogtor 1 Original (French) Translation (English) But you can’t rewrite History ! Not one line ! Jacqueline Hill et William Hartnell ont une présence dingue, et portent au sommet le premier grand drame de la série. Mais là aussi John Lucarotti surprend avec des petites touches qui dessinent des personnages complexes et touchants dans un monde pourtant grossièrement dessiné. En fait, la grande force de The Aztecs c’est surtout qu’en défiant la vision très manichéenne et libérale de Barbara il lui offre un développement très touchant. Or, là où l'épisode rencontre en même temps des limites vraiment intéressantes c'est que même si Lucarotti et Barbara voient le bien dans la société aztèque, ils excusent quand même la violence coloniale par la cruauté des sacrifices. Dès lors, l’épisode a beau être puissant (et il l’est), son histoire est toujours celle des vainqueurs et non des vaincus. But you can’t rewrite History ! Not one line ! Jacqueline Hill and William Hartnell have an incredible presence, and they elevate the series' first great drama to new heights. But here too, John Lucarotti surprises with subtle touches that paint complex and touching characters in an otherwise crudely drawn world. In fact, the real strength of The Aztecs is that by challenging Barbara's very Manichean and liberal view, it offers her a very touching development. However, where the episode simultaneously encounters really interesting limits is that even though Lucarotti and Barbara see the good in the Aztec society, they still excuse colonial violence by the cruelty of the sacrifices. Therefore, even though the episode is powerful (and it is), its story remains that of the victors and not the vanquished. (Translation generated by AI, so mistakes are possible). Dogtor View profile Like Liked 1 7 May 2025 · 232 words Review by Dragonwitch 1 'The Aztecs' and 'The Keys of Marinus' often vie for the title of 'Favorite Season One Story,' as they're both brilliant, but in quite different ways. Here we're treated to yet another impressive opening episode, with Hartnell still apparently riding that post-vacation energy boost. The way he delivers that iconic speech sends shivers. The Doctor and Barbara play off each other perfectly throughout this story; Susan bounces between playful, horrified, and outraged; and Ian is often forced to stand by and watch others wield the agency he so often does. The supporting cast is wonderful, too, imbuing their characters with just the right amount of pathos to help convey the sense of darkness and inevitability that pervades this story. And make no mistake - the story is quite dark. Our heroes seemingly cannot catch a break as they, and the Aztecs they've met, maneuver for position about the board (Tlotoxl is delightfully slimy and off-putting), with the resolutions of their various gambits yet to come. Indeed, our main characters back themselves into corners by being too clever by half (including a lovely subplot involving The Doctor's engagement). But how can they do otherwise than hold to their various convictions? The character development really shines through in this story, and there is just so much to love here - this TARDIS team has really come together, resulting in another easy 10/10 from me. Dragonwitch View profile Like Liked 1 3 May 2025 · 8 words Review by kawaii2234 companions of the Doctor: messing with history since 1964 kawaii2234 View profile Like Liked 0 2 April 2025 · 119 words Review by rainbownixie Spoilers 1 This review contains spoilers! Barbara facing the "why travel through time and space if we can't change anything" dilemma is good enough on its own, but to make her the focus of the episode and show various traits of her character at the same time is just perfect. The sub-plots were so entertaining and endearing (the Doctor is such a gentleman it warms my heart. Ian remains iconic showing his skills. And Susan fighting for her rights to choose how to live and who to love?? She's my dearest) but Barbara carried the whole thing. Not a bad thing to say about this serial, tbh. Historicals are often my favorites and I'm glad they're also Barbara's time to shine because I adore her. rainbownixie View profile Like Liked 1 Show All Reviews (22) Open in new window Statistics AVG. Rating658 members 3.92 / 5 Trakt.tv AVG. Rating634 votes 3.67 / 5 Member Statistics Watched 1143 Favourited 159 Reviewed 22 Saved 7 Skipped 1 Related Stories The Blogs of Doom Tlotoxl Rating: ??? Story Skipped Short Story More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: The Blogs of Doom Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Other adaptations of this story: We define an adaptation as a recreation of a similar story but on a different medium or with different characters. Target Collection Doctor Who: The Aztecs Rating: 3.56 Story Skipped Book Reviews(1) More Actions View Sets Close Related Sets Set of Stories: Target Collection Add Review Edit Review Skip Skipped Unowned Owned Save to my list Saved Quotes Add Quote Link to Quote Favourite DOCTOR: But you can't rewrite history! Not one line! — First Doctor, The Aztecs Show All Quotes (5) Open in new window Transcript Needs checking Episode One - The Temple of Evil [Tomb] (The TARDIS has landed inside a tomb chamber. There is a table upon which a corpse is laid out in all his jeweled finery) BARBARA: Look at that.SUSAN: I am.BARBARA: It's an Aztec mask. He must have been a priest.SUSAN: Well, the Aztecs were Mexicans. We must be on Earth again. I wonder what year it is.BARBARA: He must have died around 1430, I should think.SUSAN: How do you know that?BARBARA: All these things belong to the Aztec's early period.SUSAN: That's what I call really knowing your subject.BARBARA: Ah, well, that was one of my specialties, Susan. (She puts on an arm band) Show Full Transcript Open in new window
