Previously … The Keys of Marinus …

The Aztecs begins with a rapid educational moment from Barbara, with support from Susan, to remind us that Barbara is a history teacher (I’d forgotten).

Most interesting character is easily Tlotoxl who manipulates and schemes while others just go along with the plot.  Given that we later discover there’s a “back door” into the tomb, it makes you wonder why someone as cunning as him hadn’t already worked this con himself and produced his own Yetaxa.

Some nice backdrops in this episode to show the pyramids in the background make you wish that this was an epic on a film budget.  Would have been great to see them go from one pyramid to another, rather than knowing all too clearly that it’s just the corner of the studio.  We never really get the impression that other locations (like the garden) are so far away from the top of the pyramid, as characters like the Doctor seem to arrive in each location in a short time and not even remotely out of breath.

Some good scenes from Hartnell in this one – particularly in his more commanding moments.  This is what we need more of from the first Doctor.  A more commanding stance, not just giving the appearance of a doddery old grandfather.

Next time … The Warriors of Death