The problem with the early Doctor stories is that many of them seem to begin with basically the same plot device, namely the TARDIS landing somewhere,the Doctor + assistants leaving the TARDIS and then spending the remaining episodes trying to get back to it. Sometimes they are separated by the Doctor needing some part (The Daleks), sometimes by obstacles either physical (The Aztecs) or human (Marco Polo), or simply wandering off for miles (The Reign of Terror, The Romans)
Yes but back then that was the point. The show was a bit like Sliders. The Doctor had no control over where and when it would land and so with every trip they just had to hope it was the one that got them home, or as close to it as possible. I understand what you mean about them going out, overcoming an obstacle and then returning, but that was the point. Leaving the TARDIS and saying 'this is nice' then going again doesn't make for much of a story. The show has always followed that format. Wherever the Doctor lands, even now, there is always something going on or something to fix wherever he goes. It's just the way it is, and far easier than chalking it up to bad luck that the last 250 times the TARDIS has landed, it's been in the middle of some sort of drama.
