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The War Master #12
The War Master: His Greatest Trick
Gallifrey's most evil Time Lord has become so dangerous that both sides of the Time War agree on one thing: the Master must be destroyed!
12.1 The Grievance Bureau by Lizzie Hopley - Like many a top-class criminal, the Master has been caught on a misdemeanour. Both the Time Lords and the Daleks intend to destroy him forever but they can’t do it alone. Can the two sides of the deadly Time War come together to eradicate a mutual enemy? But as the Master’s show trial commences, there’s a danger that his 'misdemeanour' may not be as minor as they thought.
12.2 Last Girl Standing by Katharine Armitage - The Master has taken charge of an exclusive alien girls’ school, where he's lying low in comfort. But when pushed by a suspicious colleague, he weaves a treacherous web around students and teachers alike. Under the guise of choosing a new Head Girl, the 'Head Master' sets off a twisted competition; a race for survival where there can only ever be one winner.
12.3 The Worst of All Evils by Ian Winterton - Damaged by a Dalek time-destructor, the Master’s TARDIS is spat from the vortex onto Horoka – the hub of Earth Empire's transmat network, and the site of a refugee camp. Injured, the Master is taken to a hospital run by the ever-hopeful activist Carla Zheng. Their situation is desperate, but to the Master there is one thing even worse than despair.
12.4 The Blue Shift Ritual by Adam Christopher - On the run from both the Daleks and the Time Lords, the Master stumbles across an out-of-control time capsule. The crew are on a mission from Ancient Gallifrey to the legendary planet of Arkheparas, where they hope to prevent the Cult of the Infinite from activating their great Engine – a device which the seers foresaw would end all of time. But with both factions of the Time War on his tail, the apocalypse is just what the Master needs...
12.1 The Grievance Bureau by Lizzie Hopley - Like many a top-class criminal, the Master has been caught on a misdemeanour. Both the Time Lords and the Daleks intend to destroy him forever but they can’t do it alone. Can the two sides of the deadly Time War come together to eradicate a mutual enemy? But as the Master’s show trial commences, there’s a danger that his 'misdemeanour' may not be as minor as they thought.
12.2 Last Girl Standing by Katharine Armitage - The Master has taken charge of an exclusive alien girls’ school, where he's lying low in comfort. But when pushed by a suspicious colleague, he weaves a treacherous web around students and teachers alike. Under the guise of choosing a new Head Girl, the 'Head Master' sets off a twisted competition; a race for survival where there can only ever be one winner.
12.3 The Worst of All Evils by Ian Winterton - Damaged by a Dalek time-destructor, the Master’s TARDIS is spat from the vortex onto Horoka – the hub of Earth Empire's transmat network, and the site of a refugee camp. Injured, the Master is taken to a hospital run by the ever-hopeful activist Carla Zheng. Their situation is desperate, but to the Master there is one thing even worse than despair.
12.4 The Blue Shift Ritual by Adam Christopher - On the run from both the Daleks and the Time Lords, the Master stumbles across an out-of-control time capsule. The crew are on a mission from Ancient Gallifrey to the legendary planet of Arkheparas, where they hope to prevent the Cult of the Infinite from activating their great Engine – a device which the seers foresaw would end all of time. But with both factions of the Time War on his tail, the apocalypse is just what the Master needs...
- GenresDoctor Who
Audio CD
First published October 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 28, 2025
12.1 The Grievance Bureau - The Trial of a Time Lord, The Master Edition. The Daleks and the Time-Lords cooperate to bring an end to The Master’s involvement with the Time War. Just how much of a threat is he that these enemies came together to bring his end. Except The Master turns the tables on the proceedings, making everyone suspect each other. A perfect example of exactly why this series of War Master audio-dramas has endured for so many volumes. (5/5)
12.2 Last Girl Standing - Girls School Headmaster? Lame. This one didn’t really work for me at all. I think part of the problem was how good the previous episode was, this one just felt flat and predictable. (2/5)
12.3 The Worst of All Evils - There’s a reason why The Master is such a formidable opponent, an antagonist one should never, ever underestimate. And that reason is on full raw display in this episode. (4/5)
12.4 The Blue Shift Ritual - Another one that is quite good. This one almost seems to set up this Master’s appearance in Utopia, certainly seems to be headed in that direction as it closes. (4/5)
This release also includes the usual Big Finish bonus feature with behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and crew.
12.2 Last Girl Standing - Girls School Headmaster? Lame. This one didn’t really work for me at all. I think part of the problem was how good the previous episode was, this one just felt flat and predictable. (2/5)
12.3 The Worst of All Evils - There’s a reason why The Master is such a formidable opponent, an antagonist one should never, ever underestimate. And that reason is on full raw display in this episode. (4/5)
12.4 The Blue Shift Ritual - Another one that is quite good. This one almost seems to set up this Master’s appearance in Utopia, certainly seems to be headed in that direction as it closes. (4/5)
This release also includes the usual Big Finish bonus feature with behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and crew.
October 24, 2025
12.1: The Grievance Bureau by Lizzie Hopley
This one was good but not great. The story is kind of boring, and the twist at the end is very predictable. There were some interesting things about the bureau itself, but weren’t really fleshed out or explored. This story is saved by Derek Jacobi’s performance as the Master. (3/5)
12.2: Last Girl Standing by Katharine Armitage
This is easily the best story in the whole set. Nothing about the Time War plot, just the Master having fun. Derek Jacobi’s performance is perfect, as always, and the story is very engaging. There were some twists that were really cool, and the final scenes are just awesome. (5/5)
12.3: The Worst of all Evils by Ian Winterton
This one has some pretty interesting concepts, but I feel like the pacing was just a little too slow. Once again, the ending is sort of predictable. (3/5)
12.4: The Blue Shift Ritual by Adam Christopher
This one is very interesting. It has a really cool ending, and the concept of the Cult of the Infinite is really cool.
Overall, another great set, but not among the best. I have yet to encounter a bad War Master set.
This one was good but not great. The story is kind of boring, and the twist at the end is very predictable. There were some interesting things about the bureau itself, but weren’t really fleshed out or explored. This story is saved by Derek Jacobi’s performance as the Master. (3/5)
12.2: Last Girl Standing by Katharine Armitage
This is easily the best story in the whole set. Nothing about the Time War plot, just the Master having fun. Derek Jacobi’s performance is perfect, as always, and the story is very engaging. There were some twists that were really cool, and the final scenes are just awesome. (5/5)
12.3: The Worst of all Evils by Ian Winterton
This one has some pretty interesting concepts, but I feel like the pacing was just a little too slow. Once again, the ending is sort of predictable. (3/5)
12.4: The Blue Shift Ritual by Adam Christopher
This one is very interesting. It has a really cool ending, and the concept of the Cult of the Infinite is really cool.
Overall, another great set, but not among the best. I have yet to encounter a bad War Master set.
October 23, 2025
The smugness of the War Master is what really makes him feel evil.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews