Barbara is the start of this story. Mistaken as an Aztec god, she wields her power benevolently and tries to charge their bloody culture. The Doctor warns her against changing history and works to keep the rest of the crew out of peril. Ian plays the valiant and brave warrior and Susan is the hand maiden. With the TARDIS trapped inside the temple, the crew has to figure out how to get it back without getting killed.
Whereas the last historical trip to Marco Polo didn't pose any peril of changing time or avoiding disaster, this story sets the mold for the type of historical story for decades to come. Knowing this culture will die out soon, Barbara tries to avert this disaster. In the new series episode The Fires of Pompey, Donna tries to avert the death of thousands in the face of Vesuvius. The seeds of that story lie here with The Aztecs.
This also sees the Doctor get engaged to Cameca via a drink of cocoa. I think the Doctor actually felt bad for breaking her heart. Of course the Doctor finally made it to the alter almost 50 years later with the wedding of River Song.
It's not accident that the Doctor's first two companions are a science teacher and a history teacher. The story, for many years, fall into one of these two categories. These early historicals were so well done, with the BBC excelling at costume historical dramas. In the late 90's, I took a cruise to the Caribbean and when on an excursion to Mayan ruins in Mexico. When I climbed to the top of the step pyramid, I could imagine Barbara on her throne, Ian fighting Ixta, and the Doctor in the garden. It's because of this Doctor Who story that I appreciated the history and culture of these people so much more as I walked the ground they lived upon and climbed the temples they died upon.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Aztecs_(Doctor_Who)
Next episode- The Sensorites!
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