Doctor Who: The Best of The First Doctor Season 1 Episode 7 The Aztecs, The Bride of Sacrifice

The episode "The Aztecs, The Bride of Sacrifice" is the seventh installment of the first season of Doctor Who: The Best of The First Doctor. The episode follows the Doctor and his companions as they travel back in time to the Aztec empire during the reign of the fifth Aztec emperor, Montezuma.

Upon arriving, the TARDIS crew discovers that they have unwittingly become involved in Aztec politics and must navigate cultural traditions and rules in order to avoid disrupting the course of history. The Doctor is initially eager to explore the city of Tenochtitlan and even tries to bargain for a rare historical artifact, but soon realizes the gravity of the situation as his companions are assigned roles in the Aztec society and are unable to leave.

One companion in particular, Barbara, becomes entangled in an Aztec tradition known as the "Human Sacrifice of Perfect Victims" and is mistaken for the reincarnation of the High Priest's deceased wife. Initially horrified at the prospect of being sacrificed, Barbara begins to see her position as an opportunity to change Aztec culture from within and discourage the practice of human sacrifice.

Meanwhile, the Doctor attempts to stop his other companions, Ian and Susan, from interfering with Aztec culture and inadvertently altering the course of history. The Doctor also becomes involved in a romantic subplot with an Aztec noblewoman, Cameca, who helps him navigate the complexities of Aztec rules and culture.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise as the Doctor and his companions are caught between their desire to preserve history and their empathy for the Aztecs. The episode culminates in a dramatic finale as the Doctor and his companions must decide whether to interfere with Aztec tradition and risk permanent damage to the timeline or to simply escape back to their own time.

Overall, "The Aztecs, The Bride of Sacrifice" is a thrilling and thought-provoking episode that raises questions about cultural relativism, historical preservation, and the morality of time travel. It showcases the First Doctor at his best, cleverly navigating the complexities of Aztec society while remaining true to his values and his companions.