Master! Planet Doom

Master! #3

by Robert Whitelock, Barnaby Kay, Robert Valentine

The Master and Vienna Salvatori form an unlikely alliance when they’re forced into joining an expedition to a forbidden planet. Accompanied by elite marines, government scientists and a corporate mercenary with access to some very old UNIT files, they go in search of an ancient, subterranean labyrinth infested by an alien lifeform the Master knows all too well.

3.1 Basilisk by Robert Whitelock - Vienna finds herself prisoner on a warship. Private contractors working with the military's scientific division want her to help them resurrect the Master. Why? Because they need a guide into the bowels of a nameless planet... and the Master is their man.

3.2 Axos Rising by Barnaby Kay - The Master and Vienna are joined at the hip as they head into the alien labyrinth. But deadlier things than ancient booby-traps await them. Deep in the subterranean darkness, they discover the terrifying entity that has been waiting for millennia to be set free. Vienna is horrified... but the Master knows an opportunity when he sees one.

3.3 Hellbound by Robert Valentine - With the countdown ticking, the Master and Vienna are desperate to escape, but if Axos gets loose, the entire galaxy is doomed. Vienna needs a miracle, and perhaps she's found one. But probably not the miracle she was expecting.

Genres: Doctor Who

Audiobook

Published February 29, 2024

Reviews

[Steven Shinder]

Paul McGann makes everything better. There’s also a compelling bit of romance.

[Helen]

Once again, this final set in the Master! range feels far more like a Vienna Salvatori story, featuring the Master. I’m not complaining, I really like Vienna as a character, and I’ve enjoyed listening to her going up against the Master. But three box sets in a row is a bit much, if I’m honest.


Episode 1 - Basilisk - 4 stars
I enjoyed the start to this set. It’s mostly just set up for the rest of the box set, but it’s still interesting to listen to. Vienna and the Master are a fabulous duo, and it was fun to hear them having to play nice for a bit.

Episode 2 - Axos Rising - 5 stars
Another enjoyable episode. The Master and Vienna are finally in the depths of their joint mission and I still really love their dynamic. The Master is oh so charming, whilst simultaneously being incredibly sinister and threatening. Passion pops up again, which I wasn’t expecting, but it’s nice to know how she and Vienna are still close after the events of the previous box set. The story ends on a thrilling cliffhanger, leading into the final episode, which I have high hopes for!

Episode 3 - Hellbound - 4 stars
An enjoyable conclusion to the story of this set. Though I am very confused as to how the final scene happened, as there was a clear skip between that scene and the previous scene involving that particular character. Either way, an enjoyable ending.
And that surprising character reveal! I hadn’t checked the cast list before listening to this episode, so I had no idea that a certain character was going to make a little cameo in this episode.


Overall, I liked the refreshing dynamic of the Master and Vienna having to work together. The mission was interesting, and it was really great to see a Classic villain return, especially since it’s one who got the better of the Master in the Classic series!

[Rick]

This one, like the previous in this series, is one long story broken up into three episodes.

3.1 Basilisk - A blast of a start for this set. Lots of fun. (4/5)

3.2 Axos Rising - This one is much more typical of the Master! series. Didn’t knock my socks off or anything. But still fun. (3/5)

3.3 Hellbound - The interactions between The Master and Vienna are still fun. But the over-the-top, scenery-eating performances of both Eric Roberts and Chase Masterson can get a bit old at times. In any case, this is another fun one with a surprise (and a set up for volume 4?) at the end. (3/5)

[GB Rogo]

Solid volume of Master, though compared to volumes one and two, this one feels the most just like a Vienna series, guest starring the Master. Eric Roberts’ Master feels very much like an after thought, which is disappointing. But, as a Vienna series it’s pretty good.

[Joseph S]

Stories were great. Paul McGan only in it for 20 mins. Stories were all under 55 minutes and last was only 47 minutes. Therefore, 3.5 star but rounded up.

[Debra Cook]

Vienna and the Master are captured to try and get into the axios world.