Day 30: The Day of Darkness

The climax of this episode features a fight between the two young males of the cast: Ian (schoolteacher who travels with the Doctor) and Ixta (Aztec warrior). It's well directed, as the fights often have been so far, and it's a pleasure to actually be able to appreciate seeing it, as this story is in the archives. It's interesting to note as well that it's a fight to the death, and Ian kills Ixta, his opponent. It's the first time that we see one of the companions be overwhelmingly responsible for the death of another character, and what makes it difficult is that Ixta seemed to have been a likeable chap, who just found himself under the influence of Tlotoxl, the main antagonist. And so we see the impact that is had by the travellers in a large way, they have caused the death of someone. But, as the Doctor comments at the end of the episode, they have made some minor victories, such as with Autloc, the High Priest of Knowledge, who they helped find a better belief system, and a better life. And so as we depart the land of the Aztecs, we reflect on this dark tale, where our heroes, on the whole, lost. But even within the losses, there can be tiny gains as they try to help other races, cultures and people.