"Doctor Who" The Bride of Sacrifice (TV Episode 1964) Poster

(TV Series)

(1964)

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9/10
The Doctor is engaged!!!
Sleepin_Dragon25 August 2015
Barbara interrupts the stage of the fight, Tlotoxl demands Barbara save Ian, she proves herself resourceful. Barbara seeks Autloc's backing against Tlotoxl, and attempts to stop a sacrifice which it to occur in 3 days time, under an eclipse. Tlotoxl decides to try poisoning Barbara, to see if she is indeed an immortal. Barbara shows her courage and challenges Tlotoxl, admitting in private who she is, Tlotoxl this times turns on Susan. Susan is the definite weak link in the chain, with virtually no knowledge of Aztec ways, and when she refuses marriage a punishment awaits. The Doctor and Ian discover a tunnel they believe leads to Yetaxa's tomb, but Ixta intervenes.

For those that moaned about Tennant's flirtations with Rose, check out Doctor number one with Cameca. Seems the romancing began right at the start. His face when she suggests marriage is priceless.

Susan has been hidden away for the majority of the serial thus far, but has a slightly more substantial role.

This is another excellent episode. Every few minutes one of the TARDIS crew are placed in real peril, it's been great to see a softer side from the Doctor, that could only have happened in these early episodes, how he changes as the series goes on. Brilliant.
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10/10
The Aztecs: Episode 3 - An excellent historical adventure, brilliantly written and acted
A_Kind_Of_CineMagic5 July 2014
The Aztecs - Review of all 4 parts:

This is a 4 part adventure beginning with The Temple of Evil. It is a pure historical adventure with the TARDIS crew arriving in a tomb in 15th Century Mexico during the time of the Aztecs. The TARDIS becomes trapped inside the tomb with the crew outside the tomb's inaccessible sliding door. Barbara is taken to be the reincarnation of their goddess Yataxa by the high priest of knowledge Autloc but is doubted and proclaimed a false God by the high priest of sacrifice Tlotoxl. Barbara tries to influence against human sacrifice despite the Doctor's insistence that this is meddling in the past which cannot be done, and they all try to find a way to get to the TARDIS before the Aztecs turn on them.

This is a top notch adventure, brilliantly scripted by John Lucarotti, following on from his previous great historical adventure 'Marco Polo'. It is beautifully acted with an interesting plot that includes very strong material about whether the time travellers can or should interfere with historical events.

Doctor Who is a time travel adventure not just another space adventure. The time travel aspect made it far more unique at the time and is still a central part of what the programme is. So great historical adventures like this show the value of exploring the time travel aspect of the show. Considering morality and possible outcomes of interference in history is a tremendous concept to bring to audiences and this story does it wonderfully. It really demonstrates how axeing historical stories a few years later was a big mistake. If done seriously and intelligently like this, Marco Polo, The Massacre, The Crusade etc they were a great addition to the series. They provided variety, moral dilemmas and great drama. When turned into lightweight comedy or executed badly they flopped a bit but they needed more thought, not axeing. Rather like the whole show in 1989!

William Russell and Jacqueline Hill as Barbara and Ian are two of the finest companions the Doctor ever had and they are superb here as is William Hartnell as The Doctor.

Carole Ann Ford as Susan has one of her best performances here too. Autloc and a female elder Cameca are fantastic too.

Tremendous adventure across all four episodes.

My Ratings: All 4 Episodes 10/10.
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10/10
The Bride of Sacrifice
guswhovian21 May 2020
The Doctor discovers a way to get back to the TARDIS, but it may endanger Ian's life.

"The Bride of Sacrifice" continues The Aztecs' winning streak. The beginning bit where Barbara pulls the knife on Tlotoxl is yet another reason Barbara was one of the great Doctor Who companions. You go Babs!

There's several great moments throughout the episode: Tlotoxl trying to poison Babs; Ian Cullen "struggling" with a polystyrene stone; and the best of all, William Hartnell's fantastic double take when the Doctor realizes he's engaged.

The camera work is still shoddy, but with writing and acting like this, who cares?
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