Ranking the Master Stories (Part 2)
Guest contributor Will Atkinson concludes his countdown of the best Master stories.
Hello, again! Last time I got half way through counting down/up through my favourite Master stories, so without further ado, here’s number ten…
10. The Sea Devils
9. The End of Time
I prefer The End of Time to The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords for several reasons. First of all, I like its funereal tone – the Doctor knows he’s going to die, and will do anything not to. John Simm is superior as the Master to his previous outing, imbuing the character with a greater air of menace and playing his final moment of redemption well. I also like it for Bernard Cribbin’s Wilf, and for the Vinvocci, and the spaceship crash…well, I like a lot of it anyway. I remember the shock I felt as I first saw the cliffhanger to Part 1 – for me it was properly unexpected. However, I’m not a fan of some of the story – it can look a bit cheap in places and Naismith is a weak villain. This is probably the most epic Doctor Who story ever, but some parts of this epic are a little bit creaky.
8. The Claws of Axos
The Claws of Axos is bonkers. Absolutely bonkers. And I love it all the more for it. From trippy aliens in their fleshy cave, to naff American agents, to random, but awesome, yokels, this is one of those Doctor Who stories that really are in its own little world. The regulars are all great, the monsters are great and the ideas are great. Available in a great new special edition packaging, this is a story that you definitely need to see if you haven’t already. It is wonderful.
7. The Mind of Evil
The Mind of Evil was neglected for a long time due to the fact it was only available to watch in black and white. Now, with its colour restored, it can be viewed properly, and it is actually very enjoyable. With three plots running alongside each other, there was the possibility of it becoming confused, but instead it showcases Doctor Who at its most grown up and chilling. The Master, only in his second appearance, is great as a more mafia boss-esque character, and Roger Delgado is great, but that goes without saying. I really like The Mind of Evil, and it’s recommended viewing for those of you who haven’t seen much of the Third Doctor’s era.
6. Logopolis
Tom Baker’s last story as the Doctor, Logopolis is quite atypical for his era. It is bereft of jokes, and has a very dark tone, with the Doctor being constantly followed by a figure clad all in white, and with a great swathe of the universe being destroyed in a single moment. It is a story that takes multiple viewings to fully appreciate, but it features some of the most interesting scenes of Doctor Who there’s ever been, and there’s a lot more here than just the regeneration. Also, you’ve got to love the Master’s TARDIS, which is shaped like a stone column, no matter where it lands.
5. Terror of the Autons
The Master’s first story is, in my opinion, one of his best. Controversial at the time for its inclusion of a set of magnificently macabre killings, Terror of the Autons also serves as the introductory story for both Mike Yates and Jo Grant. This is a story that has a lot going for it – chilling imagery, a great, if a little unsure of himself, Master and a witty script. I enjoy Terror of the Autons more and more every time I watch it, and while I can’t say its best Master story there’s ever been, it certainly needs recognition for setting the bar high for all those that came after it.
4. Utopia
I really like Utopia, as it’s a story that takes a lot of risks. It introduces a new actor as the Master, only then to have him change within minutes of revealing his identity. It’s a story that unfurls slowly, only becoming faster as it rockets towards its conclusion. The baddies of the story – the Futurekind – have failed miserably, but somehow they manage to come across as a credible threat. But the real highlight for this story for me is the acting. Tennant, Barrowman and Agyeman turn in good performances, but Sir Derek Jacobi is my favourite, making his Master truly chilling despite his limited screen time. Also this conspires to give me my favourite Master story of New Who, though I hope Dark Water/Death in Heaven takes this title.
3. Survival
For seven years this was the most recent Doctor Who story on television, and this is very much a good story to go out on. Gritty, down to earth and with a great script, Survival manages to be completely unique – and in doing so, setting the tone for much of the revival. It also gives us one of the best interpretations of the Master ever. In his last televised appearance in the role, the Ainley Master is overhauled, with the actor’s age both apparent and appropriate for the story. The idea of a Master on his last legs is in tune with the visual ethos of Survival, and this is definitely a story where everything comes together. The Seventh Doctor and Ace are at their best, and so is the Master.
2. The Deadly Assassin
The Deadly Assassin shows Doctor Who at its most violent and dark. In one story Robert Holmes turns the world of Doctor Who upside down, reinventing both the Time Lords and the Master. Peter Pratt, in his only appearance as the Master, is brilliant. The emaciated Master was a great idea. He looks terrifying, with mad eyes and rotting skin. He’s perfectly suited to a story that shows the Time Lords being corrupt. There’s so much I love about this story – the bonkers dream sequence, the final fight on the eye of harmony and the Fourth Doctor’s Byronic look. The Deadly Assassin is fantastic. If you haven’t seen it… Watch. It. Now.
Well, that’s almost every story. But my number one Master story is….
1. The Daemons
The Daemons is my favourite Master story. With the UNIT Family on top form, a great monster, awesome action, a funny script… this is so much fun. I can’t watch its five episodes without smiling. I thoroughly enjoy it every time I watch it. Delgado is never better, and neither is Pertwee.
I’m going to run out of ways to say it so I’ll stop, but I love the Daemons, and if you watch any Master story before Saturday, make it this one.
So that’s it. Every Master story from worst to best.
Except for one.
0. The TV Movie
As I sat, trying to place all the Master stories in order; there was only one I couldn’t place and that was the TV Movie. I’m not sure how I feel about it. The Master is one of the things I like the least about the TV Movie, so if I marked it based on him this would be very near to the bottom. But if I based my placement on the Doctor, or the design, or the direction, this would be towards the top, because I think that McGann is one of the best Doctors ever, and that the design and direction is very good. So, like The Five Doctors, I’ve left The TV Movie unplaced. Sorry about that.
Anyway, thanks for reading, and please go ahead and tell me your favourite Master story in the comments.
