A Matter of Time: The Aztecs

ORIGINAL BROADCAST: 06/06/1964
DOCTOR: William Hartnell
COMPANIONS: Jacqueline Hill, William Russell and Carole Ann Ford

STORY: The First Doctor and his companions Barbara, Ian and Susan land in fifteenth century Mexico, where they encounter a tribe of bloodthirsty Aztecs. After Barbara is mistaken for a reincarnation of the ancient high priest Yetaxa, she is given control of the entire land. However, the Doctor refuses to allow Barbara to change the warlike ways of the Aztecs, even if it means mass death…

FACTS:
• This story is often considered to show an early hint of the Doctor’s romantic side, as the scenes between himself and Cameca are played with real affection for each other.
• The Doctor tells Barbara “You can’t rewrite history! Not one line!”, although it is unclear if he means that it is impossible to alter established history, or if it is an ethical principle.
• Carole Ann Ford was on holiday for two weeks during the filming of this story, so she only appeared in pre-filmed inserts in Episodes 2 and 3.

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