After the dramatic cliffhanger in the previous episode, it’s a rather low key return to earth for the Doctor, Captain Jack and Martha. However, Earth isnt the same as when they were last there. It’s the day after the General Election where the Master has been elected Prime Minister. Once the titles finish we have a scene which leaves us under no illusion that this is the Master as he kills everyone in the cabinet. It’s a big thing to do so early on.
The moment when the Doctor and the Master speak on the phone is one of the finest moments of the series. It’s not easy to try and do a dramatic scene with two people on the phone yet credit to Simm and Tennant they manage it. I thought that the explanation as to how the Master is still alive despite being sucked into the Eye of Harmony in the US TV Movie was sublime. Being resurrected by the Timelords to take part in the Time War was a smart move and in a way shows how the Timelords at times at like Gods. John Simm is a brilliant Master, not anywhere near on par with Roger Delgado but still manages to bring a believeable side to the role that has at times bordered on pantomime.There is a nice moment which is a nod to the classic era where the Master is watching the Teletubbies. In the 1972 story ‘The Sea Devils’ the Master is watching The Clangers. It still relatively early in the return of the show and this is perhaps the biggest nod to the long time fans who (like me) would have instantly known what it was referring to. The Toclafane are a curious creation because they have a certain menace but they don’t look like anything more than a ball with some lights on it. They are the Master’s minions and I don’t like them. Ok they are impressive in extremely large numbers (see final scene) but apart from that (like Capt Jack) they offer very little. Speaking of Captain Jack, his only real contribution is getting shot by the Master and revealing to the Doctor he works for Torchwood. I like John Barrowman and think that he’s very good in Torchwood however his return however brief to Doctor Who is a poor idea. David Tennant does well with connecting with John Simm. Freema Agyeman continues to impress as by the end of the story its clear that she will be important in the story.
However the story isnt perfect. I really cant stand Martha’s mother and find her sister to be a bit bland and uninteresting. Only the dad was of any interest and when the family were arrested and dragged in front of the Master and Martha, I really wasn’t fussed. I thought that it’s the least they deserved. Also what the bloody hell was the point in casting Reggie Yates. He appears briefly and then that’s it. Goodbye Mr Yates, it was a utter waste of time you bothering to drag your backside out of the Radio 1 studio to do these brief scenes where you were presumably paid a considerable amount of licence payers money. There that’s my mini rant over with.
The final moments end with the Master taking charge, getting the Toclafane to kill the US President and then opening the tear in space allowing 6 billion of them to swarm the earth were very good. With the Doctor reduced to an old man and Captain Jack still recovering from being shot by the Master – twice – its down to Martha to do a disappearing act before proclaiming that she will be back. The final word goes to the Master who feels good at what is happening and there is an uneasy feeling that the Doctor cant do anything about it.
Its another good episode. The build up from Utopia continues and the thing about this story it that it isn’t a holding pattern for the final story. It ploughs on ahead and never gets dull. Its only now that Captain Jack has some use but its still not enough to justify his involvement in the story.
The moment when the Doctor and the Master speak on the phone is one of the finest moments of the series. It’s not easy to try and do a dramatic scene with two people on the phone yet credit to Simm and Tennant they manage it. I thought that the explanation as to how the Master is still alive despite being sucked into the Eye of Harmony in the US TV Movie was sublime. Being resurrected by the Timelords to take part in the Time War was a smart move and in a way shows how the Timelords at times at like Gods. John Simm is a brilliant Master, not anywhere near on par with Roger Delgado but still manages to bring a believeable side to the role that has at times bordered on pantomime.There is a nice moment which is a nod to the classic era where the Master is watching the Teletubbies. In the 1972 story ‘The Sea Devils’ the Master is watching The Clangers. It still relatively early in the return of the show and this is perhaps the biggest nod to the long time fans who (like me) would have instantly known what it was referring to. The Toclafane are a curious creation because they have a certain menace but they don’t look like anything more than a ball with some lights on it. They are the Master’s minions and I don’t like them. Ok they are impressive in extremely large numbers (see final scene) but apart from that (like Capt Jack) they offer very little. Speaking of Captain Jack, his only real contribution is getting shot by the Master and revealing to the Doctor he works for Torchwood. I like John Barrowman and think that he’s very good in Torchwood however his return however brief to Doctor Who is a poor idea. David Tennant does well with connecting with John Simm. Freema Agyeman continues to impress as by the end of the story its clear that she will be important in the story.
However the story isnt perfect. I really cant stand Martha’s mother and find her sister to be a bit bland and uninteresting. Only the dad was of any interest and when the family were arrested and dragged in front of the Master and Martha, I really wasn’t fussed. I thought that it’s the least they deserved. Also what the bloody hell was the point in casting Reggie Yates. He appears briefly and then that’s it. Goodbye Mr Yates, it was a utter waste of time you bothering to drag your backside out of the Radio 1 studio to do these brief scenes where you were presumably paid a considerable amount of licence payers money. There that’s my mini rant over with.
The final moments end with the Master taking charge, getting the Toclafane to kill the US President and then opening the tear in space allowing 6 billion of them to swarm the earth were very good. With the Doctor reduced to an old man and Captain Jack still recovering from being shot by the Master – twice – its down to Martha to do a disappearing act before proclaiming that she will be back. The final word goes to the Master who feels good at what is happening and there is an uneasy feeling that the Doctor cant do anything about it.
Its another good episode. The build up from Utopia continues and the thing about this story it that it isn’t a holding pattern for the final story. It ploughs on ahead and never gets dull. Its only now that Captain Jack has some use but its still not enough to justify his involvement in the story.
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