Things I've Learnt from Watching My Favourite Doctor Who Stories : Part 47 - The Aztecs

 47: The Aztecs

A cup of cocoa works wonders!



Who knew that the way to an Aztec woman's heart was a cup of cocoa? Well, obviously not the first Doctor, who in this early adventure from the first season, accidentally asks for the hand of an elderly lady by making her a cup of hot chocolate. Big mistake? I should cocoa!

It's just one of many wonderful character moments in this beautifully made early historical, set in one of the most bloody-thirsty civilisations in history. It's fair to say, that most of the things I know about Aztec culture have stemmed from this four part adventure, written by John Lucarotti, thereby achieving the aim of the historical stories as a way of educating as well as entertaining. 

The TARDIS lands inside a tomb and Barbara is mistaken for the reincarnation of the high priest, Yetaxa, basically as a result of thinking fast to save her life. It's Barbara's story, as a history teacher she knows what the Aztecs are like and now sees her opportunity to change them. This brings her in opposition with the Doctor who famously tells her she "can't rewrite history, not one line!"

As the series goes on, we will see he's a fine one to talk, and indeed in less than a year, he'll be giving Nero the inspiration to burn Rome to the ground and changing their own future history to avoid being exhibits in a Space Museum. But here under the cautious eye of writer Lucarotti and script editor David Whittaker, the party line is absolutely no interference in history.

If this story was done in the new series, the clash between the Doctor and Barbara would be far more severe with the Doctor vowing to stop her. Possibly had this story followed immediately after the Edge of Destruction, it's feasible that Hartnell's Doctor would have said the same. Without the several months of journeying alongside Marco Polo where their relationship developed, the clash could, realistically, be much more severe and damaging. It's a fascinating "what if" scenario but fortunately the bond between the two is far stronger and less histrionic. 

The dialogue between the Aztec characters is poetic, written and performed in a cod-Shakespearian style but it works well. John Ringham as Tlotoxl goes the full Richard III while Margot Van der Bergh is gentle but wise as the Doctor's betrothed, Cameca.

The relationship between the Doctor and Cameca,  is charmingly written and performed. For the Doctor's first romance, it's innocent but believable and gives Hartnell the opportunity to show his softer side. Initially the Doctor is flirting with her to get information, but Cameca is equally wily, bringing cocoa beans to their meeting for the Doctor to unwillingly make a drink and propose to her. Their romance however is the first of something that will become a recurring event throughout the show's history, although arguably the 21st century version of the show is much more explicit about it. From Romana to Grace, to Rose and most recently, Yaz; the Doctor's not allowed to love. At least not in the conventional sense. The age difference and species difference (although not established until well after this story) make it impossible for the Doctors to love their companions and also, it's not what the series is all about, well not to a lot of fans. 

So the Doctor says goodbye to Cameca and breaks her heart - and perhaps his too! Just before the TARDIS departs, we see the Doctor leave the brooch Cameca gives him and he heads for his ship. But not before he turns round, changes his mind and picks it up again. The next time we see him, he's at the controls, alone. It's a rather sad image, the Doctor alone and impassive, as if keeping his true feelings in check. It's as if we're being reminded that the adventures must go on. 

And 60 years later, they do go on. But this one is still there to remind us that the Doctor can be lonely just like us, and be heartsbroken just like us too. It's a beautiful moment and one to cherish in this anniversary list. 


Next time: Science comes with responsibility 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

God Bless the Good Ship Atlantis and all who sink in her!

Image
The (waste of) Time Monster  Nietzsche said "life is a choice between suffering and boredom." He obviously never watched the Time Monster... Back in the 1980s, Doctor Who was not as good as it used to be. At least, not according to the older generation of fandom. Season 24 in particular was subject to a barrel of abuse from "the usual suspects" who opined that the series had gone downhill since 1970s. The Pertwee era in particular was held in an almost unassailable high, in comparison to Tom Baker's reign, which was three years of Hinchcliffe highs and three years of wallowing in the Williams era plus one year of him looking miserable in maroon with John Nathan Turner...  JNT came up with the infamous phrase, "The memory cheats" which did very little to quell the argument. In fact it just fed the flames of their hatred and was definitely a case of biting the hands that feed, another cliche JNT used, if memory serves me correctly.  I recently listened...
Read more

Randomiser : Out of Time 1

Image
This blog was set up to review stories in a random order, so here's my thoughts about one of Big Finish's most celebrated stories   Somewhere in an alternate universe, the August Bank Holiday weekend of 2009 saw an extra special with David Tennant, leading into the Waters of Mars. The audience would have whooped with joy at the familiar sight of certain scarf and tall figure, waxing lyrical about Michaelangelo pilfering his ideas as he paints his fresco, talking to a character played by Katherine Drysdale, who played Bliss in Love & Monsters. It also had the Daleks back in their gun metal grey livery as seen in the 1970s along with the red and gold Dalek (Chicken!) Supreme...  OK, in reality, Out of Time is possibly the only benefit I can think of, that was a result of the 2020 pandemic lockdown (apart from an extended period of paternity leave after the birth of our third son!)  Suddenly available thanks to tv and film productions grinding to a halt, David Tennant qu...
Read more

Things I've Learnt from Watching My Favourite Doctor Who Stories: Part 8 - Genesis of the Daleks

Image
 8. Genesis of the Daleks When crossing a wasteland, don't clam up!  Here we go. Iconic, most-repeated classic story, greatest of all time, best villain, tea time brutality for tots, do I have the right, thank you that's what I wanted to know, you don't worry about your jumper if you've got a Dalek up your arse! We've got the novelisation, the LP, the cassette, the CD, the VHS, the DVD, the blu-ray, the Genesis Character Options set, the commemorative coasters...  What can I say about Genesis of the Daleks that hasn't been said already. OK, here goes. I'll tell you the tale of how I met the Thal Politician. Be prepared for a Tale of Youth (copyright Si Hart!) One of my presents for Christmas 1979 was the LP of Genesis, released after the Daleks spectacular return in Destiny of the Daleks. The album was treasured but as a child I was too scared to listen to Side 2 because of the noise of the Dalek guns, an echo of watching the story (my very first memory of t...
Read more