I have seen this story before, but back in 1993 (gasp) when it was just out on video. I remember enjoying it, but yet being amused at the quaint old-fashioned nature of it all. I wonder how it will stand up to a re-watch 15 years on. The reason I watched it back then was because I was one of the read-through crew for Kate Orman with her Doctor Who New Adventures novel, The Left-handed Hummingbird.
Right. DVD time.
We open with Barbara revealing her knowledge of Aztec history and a lovely wisdom about people through the ages. I love Barbara; in the context of having seen most of the preceding episodes her character development is wonderful. Susan, on the other hand, seems to have lost her mind or memory or something and is a silly little girl. Cartoons, indeed! The Doctor is excellent, too, and willfully shows his knowledge - which raised the question for me about when Susan joined him? Yet, he's fallible but quickly recovers and uses his mistake to his advantage with Cameca. Oh, that's lovely having Ian doing a 'Billy-fluff' with getting Autloc's name wrong.
Shame you can see the folds in the backdrop, but the important thing is the illusions are conjured successfully. Like the model work, it is something that has obviously changed in the 45 years of television magic. But, yet, it doesn't grate; instead my respect for these pioneers of TV production grows ever more.
I like the retirement village in the park.
The story does suffer a little bit in being so obviously a history lesson. Yet, it's complex and the philosophical debates about changing history are not quite as simple as it appears. Same with the theological discussions about religion, plus the post-modern issues of leaving a separate society to their own codes. And then there's the odd feminism with Susan's refusal to accept arranged marriages.
Barbara is so right describing the Doctor as an old rogue.
Ian's knowledge of pressure points is marvelous.
The Doctor's relationship with Cameca is far more complicated than I remember it.
By the start of ep 3 it's becoming obvious the main theme is how hard it is to be a goddess. Barbara is up for it, but she has flaws. As Ian says, 'You can't fight a whole way of life,' which she accepts logically but perhaps not in her heart. It's that which lies also in the more obvious message of not trying to change history even when you have the chance to.
Four splendid episodes. Next up, another sci-fi adventure, and one I have never seen before and know very little about.
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