"You failed to save a civilization, but at least you helped one man."
It turns out that the tunnel that Ian was trapped in did lead into the tomb. While he is winding his way through the tunnel the Doctor begs Ixta to remove the stone and free Ian. Ixta just rubs it in as he walks off.
By the time that the Doctor runs to Barbara to tell her about Ian's presumed death, Ian has had the time to make his way up and through the tomb trailing a line tied to a stone to allow them to get back inside.
But a quick escape isn't in the cards for the time travelers. Susan is under guard awaiting punishment for her refusal to marry the Perfect Sacrifice. Ian joins her shortly thereafter once he's been framed for an assault on Autloc.
On top of that the line going back into the tomb isn't strong enough to lift the heavy stone on it's own. They could really use a pulley, but the Aztecs don't have the wheel.
Autloc decides to leave civilization and find his way in the wilderness. He gives all of his worldly possessions to Cameca to use as a bribe to secure Susan's release. Cameca makes the arrangements knowing that her love will soon be fleeing.
In the end the Doctor makes a pulley, Ian kills Ixta and the travelers return to the tomb's interior. Tlotoxl performs the sacrifice and Barbara wonders what the point of time travel is if she can't help.
An excellent story. I think the only thing that I haven't complimented this serial on is the costuming which is imaginative and probably well researched.
This story juggled four sub-plots well. Although I think that Susan's story was a little weak.
Next up: Strangers in Space
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