It’s not a good idea to bet against the Doctor. There are lots of lessons learned in Doctor Who’s second “pure” historical, The Aztecs, but the folly going against the instructions of the curmudgeon with the time ship is probably the biggest. Of course, Barbara’s attempts to rewrite history by softening the more barbaric instincts of the eponymous civilization are what gives this particular story its weighty drama, so we’ll forgive her for not getting the memo. But the true lesson of this serial is up for debate: Is it the best historical of the entire series? And if so, what does that say about the other 59 years of the franchise?
Commentary for The Aztecs begins at 20:34.
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Story Essentials
Season 1, Serial 6
Story number: 6, per the The Pull To Open Codex
Writer: John Lucarotti
Director: John Crockett
Producer: Verity Lambert
Aired 23 May – 13 June 1964
Pull To Open: The Aztecs
Season 4
Episode 36
Hosts: Pete Pachal and Chris Taylor
Music: Martin West/Thinking Fish
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