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The War Master #4
The War Master: Anti-Genesis
A brand-new four-part adventure featuring the Master’s exploits in the Time War.
In a Time War, there is a crime that not even the Daleks would dare consider. But the Master has more than considered – and he is ready to commit...
When his TARDIS returns to Gallifrey carrying his corpse, a chain of events ensues that will change established history. Old friendships will be destroyed and dark alliances formed, as the Master exploits a terrifying truth.
Even for the two most powerful races, time can be rewritten.
4.1 From the Flames by Nicholas Briggs
After the Master's TARDIS returns his remains to Gallifrey, in accordance with his final wishes, an intricate plot begins to change the nature of the universe forever. But even in death the Master threatens life. And only CIA Coordinator Narvin can hope to stop him.
4.2 The Master's Dalek Plan by Alan Barnes
As the Master inflitrates the Kaled scientific elite, the Time Lords seek to counter his interference. But while Narvin and President Livia try to stabilise the past, a new and horrifying future dawns in the wastelands of ancient Skaro.
4.3 Shockwave by Alan Barnes
With all known history threatened, the Daleks take desperate action to preserve their established legacy. When they cross dimensions to recruit an alternative incarnation of the Master, an uneasy alliance is formed... But can either side truly trust the other?
4.4 He Who Wins by Nicholas Briggs
The Master has achieved an ultimate victory. But at what cost?
In a Time War, there is a crime that not even the Daleks would dare consider. But the Master has more than considered – and he is ready to commit...
When his TARDIS returns to Gallifrey carrying his corpse, a chain of events ensues that will change established history. Old friendships will be destroyed and dark alliances formed, as the Master exploits a terrifying truth.
Even for the two most powerful races, time can be rewritten.
4.1 From the Flames by Nicholas Briggs
After the Master's TARDIS returns his remains to Gallifrey, in accordance with his final wishes, an intricate plot begins to change the nature of the universe forever. But even in death the Master threatens life. And only CIA Coordinator Narvin can hope to stop him.
4.2 The Master's Dalek Plan by Alan Barnes
As the Master inflitrates the Kaled scientific elite, the Time Lords seek to counter his interference. But while Narvin and President Livia try to stabilise the past, a new and horrifying future dawns in the wastelands of ancient Skaro.
4.3 Shockwave by Alan Barnes
With all known history threatened, the Daleks take desperate action to preserve their established legacy. When they cross dimensions to recruit an alternative incarnation of the Master, an uneasy alliance is formed... But can either side truly trust the other?
4.4 He Who Wins by Nicholas Briggs
The Master has achieved an ultimate victory. But at what cost?
Audio CD
First published December 1, 2019
1 person is currently reading
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About the author
Nicholas Briggs
375 books133 followersNicholas Briggs is a British actor and writer, predominantly associated with the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who and its various spin-offs. Some of Briggs' earliest Doctor Who-related work was as host of The Myth Makers, a series of made-for-video documentaries produced in the 1980s and 1990s by Reeltime Pictures in which Briggs interviews many of the actors and writers involved in the series. When Reeltime expanded into producing original dramas, Briggs wrote some stories and acted in others, beginning with War Time, the first unofficial Doctor Who spin-off, and Myth Runner, a parody of Blade Runner showcasing bloopers from the Myth Makers series built around a loose storyline featuring Briggs as a down on his luck private detective in the near future.
He wrote and appeared in several made-for-video dramas by BBV, including the third of the Stranger stories, In Memory Alone opposite former Doctor Who stars Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant. He also wrote and appeared in a non-Stranger BBV production called The Airzone Solution (1993) and directed a documentary film, Stranger than Fiction (1994).
Briggs has directed many of the Big Finish Productions audio plays, and has provided Dalek, Cybermen, and other alien voices in several of those as well. He has also written and directed the Dalek Empire and Cyberman audio plays for Big Finish. In 2006, Briggs took over from Gary Russell as executive producer of the Big Finish Doctor Who audio range.
Briggs co-wrote a Doctor Who book called The Dalek Survival Guide.
Since Doctor Who returned to television in 2005, Briggs has provided the voices for several monsters, most notably the Daleks and the Cybermen. Briggs also voiced the Nestene Consciousness in the 2005 episode "Rose", and recorded a voice for the Jagrafess in the 2005 episode "The Long Game"; however, this was not used in the final episode because it was too similar to the voice of the Nestene Consciousness. He also provided the voices for the Judoon in both the 2007 and 2008 series. On 9 July 2009, Briggs made his first appearance in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood in the serial Children of Earth, playing Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Rick Yates.
He wrote and appeared in several made-for-video dramas by BBV, including the third of the Stranger stories, In Memory Alone opposite former Doctor Who stars Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant. He also wrote and appeared in a non-Stranger BBV production called The Airzone Solution (1993) and directed a documentary film, Stranger than Fiction (1994).
Briggs has directed many of the Big Finish Productions audio plays, and has provided Dalek, Cybermen, and other alien voices in several of those as well. He has also written and directed the Dalek Empire and Cyberman audio plays for Big Finish. In 2006, Briggs took over from Gary Russell as executive producer of the Big Finish Doctor Who audio range.
Briggs co-wrote a Doctor Who book called The Dalek Survival Guide.
Since Doctor Who returned to television in 2005, Briggs has provided the voices for several monsters, most notably the Daleks and the Cybermen. Briggs also voiced the Nestene Consciousness in the 2005 episode "Rose", and recorded a voice for the Jagrafess in the 2005 episode "The Long Game"; however, this was not used in the final episode because it was too similar to the voice of the Nestene Consciousness. He also provided the voices for the Judoon in both the 2007 and 2008 series. On 9 July 2009, Briggs made his first appearance in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood in the serial Children of Earth, playing Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Rick Yates.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 21, 2019
4.1 From the Flames by Nicholas Briggs
Per l'ennesima volta il War Master si prende gioco della C.I.A. e di Narvin che, senza Romana in giro, risulta essere ancora più noioso del solito.
Un piccolo giretto nella Matrice e il Maestro può portare avanti il suo piano.
4.2 The Master's Dalek Plan by Alan Barnes
Piano che consiste nel modificare la Storia dei Dalek e, di conseguenza dell'intero universo.
4.3 Shockwave by Alan Barnes
Ma le cose non si limitano al nostro universo, perché il lavoro del Maestro riesce a mettere a rischio tutte le realtà esistenti.
4.4 He Who Wins by Nicholas Briggs
Fino a quando un accordo tra i pochi Dalek originari rimasti, Narvin e un Master di un altro universo non riescono a sistemare le cose... per ora.
Sarà colpa del coinvolgimento di Gallifrey, del fatto che sia Narvin che la Presidente Livia sono noiosi come solo i vecchi gallifreyani sanno essere, ma è il box set che mi ha annoiato di più.
Nonostante la presenza dei Dalek e il crossover con l'universo di Doctor Who Unbound: Sympathy for the Devil, importando il Master alternativo interpretato da Mark Gatiss (comparso anche in alcuni audio con Bernice Summerfield), e l'innegabile bravura di Derek Jacobi il quartetto di avventure ha avuto momenti di calo notevoli.
Un peccato, perché la storia e l'interpretazione dei vari Master restano notevoli.
Per l'ennesima volta il War Master si prende gioco della C.I.A. e di Narvin che, senza Romana in giro, risulta essere ancora più noioso del solito.
Un piccolo giretto nella Matrice e il Maestro può portare avanti il suo piano.
4.2 The Master's Dalek Plan by Alan Barnes
Piano che consiste nel modificare la Storia dei Dalek e, di conseguenza dell'intero universo.
4.3 Shockwave by Alan Barnes
Ma le cose non si limitano al nostro universo, perché il lavoro del Maestro riesce a mettere a rischio tutte le realtà esistenti.
4.4 He Who Wins by Nicholas Briggs
Fino a quando un accordo tra i pochi Dalek originari rimasti, Narvin e un Master di un altro universo non riescono a sistemare le cose... per ora.
Sarà colpa del coinvolgimento di Gallifrey, del fatto che sia Narvin che la Presidente Livia sono noiosi come solo i vecchi gallifreyani sanno essere, ma è il box set che mi ha annoiato di più.
Nonostante la presenza dei Dalek e il crossover con l'universo di Doctor Who Unbound: Sympathy for the Devil, importando il Master alternativo interpretato da Mark Gatiss (comparso anche in alcuni audio con Bernice Summerfield), e l'innegabile bravura di Derek Jacobi il quartetto di avventure ha avuto momenti di calo notevoli.
Un peccato, perché la storia e l'interpretazione dei vari Master restano notevoli.
December 22, 2019
This was amazing.
In it's own way nearly as good as "Only the Good" (which is still the best War Master release).
This feels different from other Master releases.
I think it is because in these stories, the Master does not hold anything back and he definitely is not hiding his villainy, but wears them in bold proud dark colours.
This alone changes the "feel" of the story.
This is not a sneaky evil snake slowly creeping up and whispering in your ear like in the previous sets... this is a black dragon smashing down the gates.
And it is glorious.
The whole set has a very complex plot spun over all four episodes and will definitely benefit from several re-listens.
I loved all the interesting characters, also the immigrants from the Gallifrey range in all of their different time-line versions.
I loved the clever story and the inventive solution at the end.
But I think my favorite part by far was the Unbound Master.
He is absolutely amazing and he is what turns the whole thing into FUN.
It was a stroke of genius to include him, because he saves this from becoming too grim and depressing.
He is just so playful and full of deadly charm- something that the War Master seems to have discarded in his victory tour.
In it's own way nearly as good as "Only the Good" (which is still the best War Master release).
This feels different from other Master releases.
I think it is because in these stories, the Master does not hold anything back and he definitely is not hiding his villainy, but wears them in bold proud dark colours.
This alone changes the "feel" of the story.
This is not a sneaky evil snake slowly creeping up and whispering in your ear like in the previous sets... this is a black dragon smashing down the gates.
And it is glorious.
The whole set has a very complex plot spun over all four episodes and will definitely benefit from several re-listens.
I loved all the interesting characters, also the immigrants from the Gallifrey range in all of their different time-line versions.
I loved the clever story and the inventive solution at the end.
But I think my favorite part by far was the Unbound Master.
He is absolutely amazing and he is what turns the whole thing into FUN.
It was a stroke of genius to include him, because he saves this from becoming too grim and depressing.
He is just so playful and full of deadly charm- something that the War Master seems to have discarded in his victory tour.
May 6, 2024
4.1 From the Flames - is a fun and interesting opening salvo for this series. The (War) Master fakes his own death and becomes indestructible. Where the heck this is going to o go is anyone’s guess (3/5).
4.2 The Master's Dalek Plan - sounds like a nod to Doctor Who: The Daleks' Master Plan, and in many ways it is, except it’s so much more insidious. The Master is definitely on a roll with this one (4/5).
4.3 Shockwave - after shockwave rips across all of space and time as a result of the Time War, bringing alternative Masters to join in the fun (3/5).
4.4 He Who Wins - has got to be the Master. Right? I mean it’s his name on the box set. But it IS the Master, and he always loses in the end. Right? Well, does he? (4/5)
4.2 The Master's Dalek Plan - sounds like a nod to Doctor Who: The Daleks' Master Plan, and in many ways it is, except it’s so much more insidious. The Master is definitely on a roll with this one (4/5).
4.3 Shockwave - after shockwave rips across all of space and time as a result of the Time War, bringing alternative Masters to join in the fun (3/5).
4.4 He Who Wins - has got to be the Master. Right? I mean it’s his name on the box set. But it IS the Master, and he always loses in the end. Right? Well, does he? (4/5)
August 8, 2021
The Masters Dalek plan:
There has only ever been two masters who have really scared me. Roger Delgado and now Derek Jacobi, who plays this war master with such a perfect balance of wittiness and power that you really do feel unsure around him. This story does a fantastic job of showing you how you really must never trust this character. Even towards the end when he gives hope the Lamarius all to just laugh and say that's what makes a villian someone who gives hope and takes away for the laugh. Thank god big finish brought back Derek Jacobi who was absolutely wasted on screen. Although it's a crime we never got to see/hear both the war Dr and war master together.
The story continues on from the last, after tricking/head messing with Narvin the master has gone back to skaro in the early days of the war, kills young Davros and plans to recreate the Daleks with the anti-genesis codes. This story we get to see just how evil and messed up this master can be and yet still give us a glimpse into how the war is starting to mutate people. Which eventually the master triggers with a fully formed Dalek. It's cruel but quite good how this master tricks a weak injured Kaled, gives him his eyesight back, makes him follow his mission and then tricks and mutates him. The writer/the master then goes another step further in trapping a ton of scientists/soldiers and forces them to mutate as Daleks. The sound efx are absolutely brilliant.
There's also alot of great references and master banta moments here throughout which offer a slight break from the horrific tale. We see the master burns the bodies of great fallen hero's. Inculded are Davros, Nada and Shan. Nice nods to both the show/big finish Davros lore. The master also spends most of his time moving around in Davros's chair and even calls him self sorvad. It's just twisted fun.
While the master plan unfolds we get a great continuing story of the timelord Lamarius who was locked in a time stasis for trying to change history to stop her family for being killed from a Dalek attack. She's a brilliant character that Franchi Webb plays so well, you really feel for her as she's been made to do the timelords dirty work in stoping the master, which is revealed that she couldn't care less she wants to die. It's an interesting and sad tale and this story really does a great job of showing how bad/corrupted everyone is. Both the master and the timelords and this time the Daleks weren't that bad.
There are some scenes/characters that did drag or annoy the horrific tale theme for me though, such as Arthur the mutation who does offer a good side plot but is abit to over the top in diologue and performance, very much like some of the alien delegates from "The Daleks master-plan". The story ends as the Daleks are born praising the master after his final evil trick. He lets Lamarius go back to Gallifrey but she's been infected and will soon become a Dalek mutant, but the master had slowed it down for extra torture. It's incredibly evil and awful and I was genuinely impressed and glad big finish killed her off, something they don't usually do anymore. Were as sometimes they make a character last throughout all the boxset with barley any developments and usually leaves me not caring for them. Here I really liked and card for this character and she's gone already. We then start to see Gallifrey change because of the masters meddling, although it's a visual idea that works ok on audio, the idea is still there.
Rating 3/5 8/10
Shockwave:
This war master boxset really does feel like a Netflix bingewatch with how every story continues/connects to each other but still has a stand alone story to tell. It's something I'd like to see new who try and one day adapt to, especially considering how much television has moved on. However this story is one that I had the most mixed feelings about. The first story in this set was very much a set up, but very entertaining. This is even more set up, techno babble and alot of padding out of an hour.
This story does afew things I really don't like about media storytelling today. It's a nothing story, no real plot just alot diologue that futher add to the mystery and add more build-up suspense to that reveal. Not saying you can't do this but it's hard to do well and still have a story to rewatch after the reveals. But we don't even get any reveals. Meaning once you know that answer the story is useless and has nothing going for it on a re-listen. Which for £25-30 a boxset for a nothing story that can only be listened to once really is a worrying sign. But of course most people want an hour of mystery boxes today but I find it lazy.
That's not to say this story is completely useless and not enjoyable, far from it, it's got some really amazing moments and ideas during it. The Daleks have detected that there history as well as all of time is being changed so they capture/team up with an alternative timeline Master to help the timelords stop it. It's great to hear the Dalek time strategest again and hear Mark gatiss as the master. Mark is very enjoyable as the master and did surprise me as to how good he was, you can clearly tell hes loving every minute of it.
Majority of this story is listening to repeated or different alternative timelines of gallifrey, it's really enjoyable although not enough ideas/possibilities were really done with it, it seemed to be either farm people, people who don't fight wars or timelords. But I did really enjoy hearing it. From then on it's a guessing game for the Dalek time strategest and the master as they try find who the time tsunami causer is. If they kill them it stops all this time stuff going on. Sadly we never find out who it is so I'll have to wait for that.
The war master doesn't do awhole lot here but there's is one great scene were he waits for the 4th Dr, Sarah and Harry to arrive and has his Dalek kill them, which he later watches over and over again. It's a reference probably for the sake of it but I did really like it.
Rating 3/5 6/10
He who wins:
The finale to this boxset pleasantly surprised me in the direction it took and how it decided to tell said story. The story is essentially alternative timeline Master teams up with the Dalek time strategest to fix the timelines. I expected an all out war between the two with lots of banta and very little get in the head of the war master stuff that should of been expanded on. What I really loved here was the entire story is that, getting into the head of the war master and trying to convince him to change the timelines. That's really hard to do with the master but this story decided to show enough time of what would it be like if the master won. Everything died how would he feel.
It's a great idea that Nicholas Briggs pulls off very well. It still fits with the character of the master and just gives us some great insight and unspoken thoughts. The master is bored. He's won and he's bored just like any evil monster would be. He's become inpatient with the Daleks and we slowly discover why the master really is bored. Alot of monsters don't really work with the whole "I'll destory everything" but what then. Here the master doesn't really want ultimate power, he likes the game/build up of it, the pain it causes others. We see this in a fascinating scene with him actually pleading with the Daleks not to kill the timelord survivors.
It's why roger Delgado and Jon Pertwees master and Dr will always be my favourite. I've never seen the master as someone who really wants to kill the Dr, or care about being supreme of people etc. It's all a dominance game against the Dr, the one man upmanship, it's why roger Delgados master actually respects the Dr and doesn't allow him to die in "The mind of evil". New who has damaged/change this idea to an evil man who wants to kill the Dr, John Simms I'm looking at you. But that's not the master to me. Here this master even misses the doctor.
We don't get too much time to dive into this alternative masters head although he's very similar to the original just more straightforward thinking and more rational. Although I did like the very subtle idea thats played here about how they both have what they also wanted. A planet of peace all by themselves, everything and everyone destoryed. But the war master is very lackluster about it and it's almost as if the other alternative master doesn't enjoy his world either so it gives his other self a chance to change time. But let's be honest nothing is really effecting him so why does he need to help the Daleks, I highly doubt it's for another planet like he says.
I was also really impressed and loved how the Dalek time strategest was involved here, and I like how essentially all three characters here are just playing a game against each other of who fixes time first. Probably because in there mind, he who wins first gets the choice of what to do with it. The Dalek time strategest meets and fear mongers this master about what the Daleks will always become, they will always disobey and follow themselves. It's a really amazing scene between the two. Were as timelords victorious didn't really work, big finish have been able to connect everything with the time war (or more importantly the Daleks) together. The Dalek time strategest mentions how an alternative Davros was miniuplted and then abadonded in "Palindrome/restoration of the Daleks" almost to make the master fear them. Nice nods in this set to that story arc alone.
The ending although alittle timey and techno babble does make sense and I did enjoy it, they have to stop the thing/person that caused the master to be able to go back in time and change everything. The person was Crazlus, the thal who was saved by the master to use as a way to trick and hide away Narvin in the matrix to allow him to go back to skaro. While also tricking him into believing he died and bringing his body back on Gallifrey for a funeral. Which considering what happened to him I believe that's what somehow gives him the chance to slip through timelocked events. It's not quite clear how that's even possible but it still kinda works well enough.
Overall this was a very good ending and a great experience of a boxset. I do still feel there was some ideas that was really good but didn't quite go anywhere sadly. Last episode the timelord president dying was so desperate she nearly gave the handover to the alternative master, something that could of been made into a really interesting story of how both masters have a planet of there own. Mabey then bring back Narvin as he's advertised on the boxset for some reason when he barley plays into much after part 1 and then conclude Lamarius's story and give her a proper ending as it's not clear what happened to her or if she repeated the actions from part 1. I'm not saying rewrite this story as I loved it but do something more with those other arcs/ideas.
Rating 4/5 8/10
Boxsets rating 3/5 7/10
Best to least favourite:
1. The masters Dalek plan
2. He who wins
3. From the flames
4. Shockwave
There has only ever been two masters who have really scared me. Roger Delgado and now Derek Jacobi, who plays this war master with such a perfect balance of wittiness and power that you really do feel unsure around him. This story does a fantastic job of showing you how you really must never trust this character. Even towards the end when he gives hope the Lamarius all to just laugh and say that's what makes a villian someone who gives hope and takes away for the laugh. Thank god big finish brought back Derek Jacobi who was absolutely wasted on screen. Although it's a crime we never got to see/hear both the war Dr and war master together.
The story continues on from the last, after tricking/head messing with Narvin the master has gone back to skaro in the early days of the war, kills young Davros and plans to recreate the Daleks with the anti-genesis codes. This story we get to see just how evil and messed up this master can be and yet still give us a glimpse into how the war is starting to mutate people. Which eventually the master triggers with a fully formed Dalek. It's cruel but quite good how this master tricks a weak injured Kaled, gives him his eyesight back, makes him follow his mission and then tricks and mutates him. The writer/the master then goes another step further in trapping a ton of scientists/soldiers and forces them to mutate as Daleks. The sound efx are absolutely brilliant.
There's also alot of great references and master banta moments here throughout which offer a slight break from the horrific tale. We see the master burns the bodies of great fallen hero's. Inculded are Davros, Nada and Shan. Nice nods to both the show/big finish Davros lore. The master also spends most of his time moving around in Davros's chair and even calls him self sorvad. It's just twisted fun.
While the master plan unfolds we get a great continuing story of the timelord Lamarius who was locked in a time stasis for trying to change history to stop her family for being killed from a Dalek attack. She's a brilliant character that Franchi Webb plays so well, you really feel for her as she's been made to do the timelords dirty work in stoping the master, which is revealed that she couldn't care less she wants to die. It's an interesting and sad tale and this story really does a great job of showing how bad/corrupted everyone is. Both the master and the timelords and this time the Daleks weren't that bad.
There are some scenes/characters that did drag or annoy the horrific tale theme for me though, such as Arthur the mutation who does offer a good side plot but is abit to over the top in diologue and performance, very much like some of the alien delegates from "The Daleks master-plan". The story ends as the Daleks are born praising the master after his final evil trick. He lets Lamarius go back to Gallifrey but she's been infected and will soon become a Dalek mutant, but the master had slowed it down for extra torture. It's incredibly evil and awful and I was genuinely impressed and glad big finish killed her off, something they don't usually do anymore. Were as sometimes they make a character last throughout all the boxset with barley any developments and usually leaves me not caring for them. Here I really liked and card for this character and she's gone already. We then start to see Gallifrey change because of the masters meddling, although it's a visual idea that works ok on audio, the idea is still there.
Rating 3/5 8/10
Shockwave:
This war master boxset really does feel like a Netflix bingewatch with how every story continues/connects to each other but still has a stand alone story to tell. It's something I'd like to see new who try and one day adapt to, especially considering how much television has moved on. However this story is one that I had the most mixed feelings about. The first story in this set was very much a set up, but very entertaining. This is even more set up, techno babble and alot of padding out of an hour.
This story does afew things I really don't like about media storytelling today. It's a nothing story, no real plot just alot diologue that futher add to the mystery and add more build-up suspense to that reveal. Not saying you can't do this but it's hard to do well and still have a story to rewatch after the reveals. But we don't even get any reveals. Meaning once you know that answer the story is useless and has nothing going for it on a re-listen. Which for £25-30 a boxset for a nothing story that can only be listened to once really is a worrying sign. But of course most people want an hour of mystery boxes today but I find it lazy.
That's not to say this story is completely useless and not enjoyable, far from it, it's got some really amazing moments and ideas during it. The Daleks have detected that there history as well as all of time is being changed so they capture/team up with an alternative timeline Master to help the timelords stop it. It's great to hear the Dalek time strategest again and hear Mark gatiss as the master. Mark is very enjoyable as the master and did surprise me as to how good he was, you can clearly tell hes loving every minute of it.
Majority of this story is listening to repeated or different alternative timelines of gallifrey, it's really enjoyable although not enough ideas/possibilities were really done with it, it seemed to be either farm people, people who don't fight wars or timelords. But I did really enjoy hearing it. From then on it's a guessing game for the Dalek time strategest and the master as they try find who the time tsunami causer is. If they kill them it stops all this time stuff going on. Sadly we never find out who it is so I'll have to wait for that.
The war master doesn't do awhole lot here but there's is one great scene were he waits for the 4th Dr, Sarah and Harry to arrive and has his Dalek kill them, which he later watches over and over again. It's a reference probably for the sake of it but I did really like it.
Rating 3/5 6/10
He who wins:
The finale to this boxset pleasantly surprised me in the direction it took and how it decided to tell said story. The story is essentially alternative timeline Master teams up with the Dalek time strategest to fix the timelines. I expected an all out war between the two with lots of banta and very little get in the head of the war master stuff that should of been expanded on. What I really loved here was the entire story is that, getting into the head of the war master and trying to convince him to change the timelines. That's really hard to do with the master but this story decided to show enough time of what would it be like if the master won. Everything died how would he feel.
It's a great idea that Nicholas Briggs pulls off very well. It still fits with the character of the master and just gives us some great insight and unspoken thoughts. The master is bored. He's won and he's bored just like any evil monster would be. He's become inpatient with the Daleks and we slowly discover why the master really is bored. Alot of monsters don't really work with the whole "I'll destory everything" but what then. Here the master doesn't really want ultimate power, he likes the game/build up of it, the pain it causes others. We see this in a fascinating scene with him actually pleading with the Daleks not to kill the timelord survivors.
It's why roger Delgado and Jon Pertwees master and Dr will always be my favourite. I've never seen the master as someone who really wants to kill the Dr, or care about being supreme of people etc. It's all a dominance game against the Dr, the one man upmanship, it's why roger Delgados master actually respects the Dr and doesn't allow him to die in "The mind of evil". New who has damaged/change this idea to an evil man who wants to kill the Dr, John Simms I'm looking at you. But that's not the master to me. Here this master even misses the doctor.
We don't get too much time to dive into this alternative masters head although he's very similar to the original just more straightforward thinking and more rational. Although I did like the very subtle idea thats played here about how they both have what they also wanted. A planet of peace all by themselves, everything and everyone destoryed. But the war master is very lackluster about it and it's almost as if the other alternative master doesn't enjoy his world either so it gives his other self a chance to change time. But let's be honest nothing is really effecting him so why does he need to help the Daleks, I highly doubt it's for another planet like he says.
I was also really impressed and loved how the Dalek time strategest was involved here, and I like how essentially all three characters here are just playing a game against each other of who fixes time first. Probably because in there mind, he who wins first gets the choice of what to do with it. The Dalek time strategest meets and fear mongers this master about what the Daleks will always become, they will always disobey and follow themselves. It's a really amazing scene between the two. Were as timelords victorious didn't really work, big finish have been able to connect everything with the time war (or more importantly the Daleks) together. The Dalek time strategest mentions how an alternative Davros was miniuplted and then abadonded in "Palindrome/restoration of the Daleks" almost to make the master fear them. Nice nods in this set to that story arc alone.
The ending although alittle timey and techno babble does make sense and I did enjoy it, they have to stop the thing/person that caused the master to be able to go back in time and change everything. The person was Crazlus, the thal who was saved by the master to use as a way to trick and hide away Narvin in the matrix to allow him to go back to skaro. While also tricking him into believing he died and bringing his body back on Gallifrey for a funeral. Which considering what happened to him I believe that's what somehow gives him the chance to slip through timelocked events. It's not quite clear how that's even possible but it still kinda works well enough.
Overall this was a very good ending and a great experience of a boxset. I do still feel there was some ideas that was really good but didn't quite go anywhere sadly. Last episode the timelord president dying was so desperate she nearly gave the handover to the alternative master, something that could of been made into a really interesting story of how both masters have a planet of there own. Mabey then bring back Narvin as he's advertised on the boxset for some reason when he barley plays into much after part 1 and then conclude Lamarius's story and give her a proper ending as it's not clear what happened to her or if she repeated the actions from part 1. I'm not saying rewrite this story as I loved it but do something more with those other arcs/ideas.
Rating 4/5 8/10
Boxsets rating 3/5 7/10
Best to least favourite:
1. The masters Dalek plan
2. He who wins
3. From the flames
4. Shockwave
February 23, 2022
Now even though I enjoyed Rage of The Timelords to an extent it felt like to be a very generic kind of Doctor Who story and was lacking in the same level of drama as the first two sets so in a way I was skeptical about this set but also hoping it would be a grand epic with two masters, clever ideas and heavy with drama and I must say this set is exactly what I wanted!!
This story is a grand epic on a universal scale where The Master's interference on Skaro at the genesis of the Daleks not only gives him total victory but also means the demise of the entire universe! The Master's plan is a bold and clever one and maybe this time it won't just take Narvin, The Madam President, or even The Daleks to stop him? Perhaps they need help from The Master himself...
This story was brilliantly brimming with intense drama, new and engaging characters, and a multi-master story I never knew I wanted! There is plenty of fan service in this story but how it's utilized is so well done and just fits in perfectly!
I loved this set so much that I would even go as far as to say I think it's the best War Master set so far, it's everything I have wanted from this range and it's glorious!
From The Flames: 9/10
The Master's Dalek Plan: 9/10
Shockwave: 10/10
He Who Wins: 10/10
Overall: 38/40!
This story is a grand epic on a universal scale where The Master's interference on Skaro at the genesis of the Daleks not only gives him total victory but also means the demise of the entire universe! The Master's plan is a bold and clever one and maybe this time it won't just take Narvin, The Madam President, or even The Daleks to stop him? Perhaps they need help from The Master himself...
This story was brilliantly brimming with intense drama, new and engaging characters, and a multi-master story I never knew I wanted! There is plenty of fan service in this story but how it's utilized is so well done and just fits in perfectly!
I loved this set so much that I would even go as far as to say I think it's the best War Master set so far, it's everything I have wanted from this range and it's glorious!
From The Flames: 9/10
The Master's Dalek Plan: 9/10
Shockwave: 10/10
He Who Wins: 10/10
Overall: 38/40!
May 5, 2025
From The Flames
From The Flames really felt more like a Narvin story than a War Master story, and thankfully that was not a disappointment. As someone really unfamiliar with the Gallifrey range, I found that Narvin was introduced really well with the need for reams of backstory. All the Time Lord characters have a unique presence in the story and are quite likeable, making you almost forget that the Master is eventually present. The story doesn’t have much importance to the overall story arc aside from the Anti-Genesis codes, which does sound disappointing; but thankfully the time spent in the Matrix was captivating. It was full of such drama and emotion in such short a space of time that I was really impressed and sad that it had to end to further the main narrative. Aside from president Livia and Narvin the side characters were uninteresting but thankfully they bore no real significance to the plot, and were merely there to provide questions and means to different characters ends. The ending was very interesting and exciting, not exactly a surprise given Skaro and the Master in Kaled uniform is on the cover; but it was delightful to see the Master slipping into place to set his plans in motion.
The Master’s Dalek Plan
The Master’s Dalek Plan was unfortunately the weakest story of the set. Besides a humorous title and some fun with the Master progressing his plans, I found most of the story dull. It was hardly terrible but everything felt so plain and the characters generally unlikeable. Lamarius was an important character given she is the person who is most significant in trying to stop the Master, but it didn’t help that she was just tedious. Her annoying raging nonsense grated on me heavily, and I could not come to like her at all. The Master too really wasn’t written with much personality, more just an attempt at ambient evil; allowing for the story to progress with no interesting characters. Alan Barnes fails to make the attempt to stop the Master remotely interesting, and the fun of him slipping into Davros’ place is undercut by the lack of drama or threat. Ultimately you are left with a story that feels necessary but dull, with no mystery or proper drama. It’s clear that the idea is that the Master is two steps ahead for once, but making the threats to him incompetent and boring takes away from engagement in the plot.
Shockwave
Shockwave was a really fun story, and that really was a relief after a pretty mediocre one. From the moment the unbound universe was entered I was having full listening. There is simply one aspect of the story that makes it brilliant and that is Mark Gatiss. His version of the Master is superb, and honestly outshone Derek Jacobi. The story is really a sideline from Skaro and the Master’s plan, something that would normally disinterest me but in this case was definitely enjoyable. The focus is more on the effects of the War Master’s actions and it was nice to get to see repercussions of his plans for once. The story didn’t just skip past it after ten minutes, it really focused on Gallifrey and an occasion where the Daleks were fun. The humour in the story is great, aside from the failed humour in one really dragged out ‘Shockwave’ alternate Gallifrey. The scene is important to the plot but the attempt at humour from anyone else than the Unbound Master fell flat. The War Master is still present and furthering his plane but now that his ultimate plan is transparent, all the mystery and suspense is gone. I think that the middle section of this boxset was really to provide something to kill time until the finale rather than be part of the storyline; only really succeeding in this story thanks to Mark Gatiss who thankfully continuous his presence in the finale.
He Who Wins
He Who Wins was an interesting finale, succeeding in being very dramatic but struggling to maintain interest throughout. The idea of the Master winning completely but his victory being hollow was nice, and the bleakness of the story was well executed via the sound design and music. Derek Jacobi proved interesting dialogue and drama to his mock victory, and the appearance of the Daleks and alternative Master as surprising protagonists. The lack of side characters contributes to the claustrophobic feel, and helps the feeling of desperation build up as the listener sees the Master almost share the same fate as Davros. The ending flowed seamlessly into the first story of the War Master range, and the contrast between the quiet beginning to the bombastic climax worked very well. Derek Jacobi’s performance is most remarkable as he is able to carry scenes of only him playing the Master and the same Master from a future time; with great drama captivating the listener. The actual resolution was underwhelming and coming to nothing more than a technobabble ex machina with dramatic music, but thankfully is not the main thing to focus on in the story. I wouldn’t say the set is just about bearable as there are some fantastic moments, but those are spread scarcely around a four hour runtime. The Master’s actual plan isn’t helped by the fact that he could easily have resolved it in part one if he’d stopped to think for a moment about what his plan would ultimately lead to. It’s the performances in the story that make for interest and I’m just glad that the story didn’t rely on exposition and boring science.
From The Flames really felt more like a Narvin story than a War Master story, and thankfully that was not a disappointment. As someone really unfamiliar with the Gallifrey range, I found that Narvin was introduced really well with the need for reams of backstory. All the Time Lord characters have a unique presence in the story and are quite likeable, making you almost forget that the Master is eventually present. The story doesn’t have much importance to the overall story arc aside from the Anti-Genesis codes, which does sound disappointing; but thankfully the time spent in the Matrix was captivating. It was full of such drama and emotion in such short a space of time that I was really impressed and sad that it had to end to further the main narrative. Aside from president Livia and Narvin the side characters were uninteresting but thankfully they bore no real significance to the plot, and were merely there to provide questions and means to different characters ends. The ending was very interesting and exciting, not exactly a surprise given Skaro and the Master in Kaled uniform is on the cover; but it was delightful to see the Master slipping into place to set his plans in motion.
The Master’s Dalek Plan
The Master’s Dalek Plan was unfortunately the weakest story of the set. Besides a humorous title and some fun with the Master progressing his plans, I found most of the story dull. It was hardly terrible but everything felt so plain and the characters generally unlikeable. Lamarius was an important character given she is the person who is most significant in trying to stop the Master, but it didn’t help that she was just tedious. Her annoying raging nonsense grated on me heavily, and I could not come to like her at all. The Master too really wasn’t written with much personality, more just an attempt at ambient evil; allowing for the story to progress with no interesting characters. Alan Barnes fails to make the attempt to stop the Master remotely interesting, and the fun of him slipping into Davros’ place is undercut by the lack of drama or threat. Ultimately you are left with a story that feels necessary but dull, with no mystery or proper drama. It’s clear that the idea is that the Master is two steps ahead for once, but making the threats to him incompetent and boring takes away from engagement in the plot.
Shockwave
Shockwave was a really fun story, and that really was a relief after a pretty mediocre one. From the moment the unbound universe was entered I was having full listening. There is simply one aspect of the story that makes it brilliant and that is Mark Gatiss. His version of the Master is superb, and honestly outshone Derek Jacobi. The story is really a sideline from Skaro and the Master’s plan, something that would normally disinterest me but in this case was definitely enjoyable. The focus is more on the effects of the War Master’s actions and it was nice to get to see repercussions of his plans for once. The story didn’t just skip past it after ten minutes, it really focused on Gallifrey and an occasion where the Daleks were fun. The humour in the story is great, aside from the failed humour in one really dragged out ‘Shockwave’ alternate Gallifrey. The scene is important to the plot but the attempt at humour from anyone else than the Unbound Master fell flat. The War Master is still present and furthering his plane but now that his ultimate plan is transparent, all the mystery and suspense is gone. I think that the middle section of this boxset was really to provide something to kill time until the finale rather than be part of the storyline; only really succeeding in this story thanks to Mark Gatiss who thankfully continuous his presence in the finale.
He Who Wins
He Who Wins was an interesting finale, succeeding in being very dramatic but struggling to maintain interest throughout. The idea of the Master winning completely but his victory being hollow was nice, and the bleakness of the story was well executed via the sound design and music. Derek Jacobi proved interesting dialogue and drama to his mock victory, and the appearance of the Daleks and alternative Master as surprising protagonists. The lack of side characters contributes to the claustrophobic feel, and helps the feeling of desperation build up as the listener sees the Master almost share the same fate as Davros. The ending flowed seamlessly into the first story of the War Master range, and the contrast between the quiet beginning to the bombastic climax worked very well. Derek Jacobi’s performance is most remarkable as he is able to carry scenes of only him playing the Master and the same Master from a future time; with great drama captivating the listener. The actual resolution was underwhelming and coming to nothing more than a technobabble ex machina with dramatic music, but thankfully is not the main thing to focus on in the story. I wouldn’t say the set is just about bearable as there are some fantastic moments, but those are spread scarcely around a four hour runtime. The Master’s actual plan isn’t helped by the fact that he could easily have resolved it in part one if he’d stopped to think for a moment about what his plan would ultimately lead to. It’s the performances in the story that make for interest and I’m just glad that the story didn’t rely on exposition and boring science.
September 26, 2022
Although the individual episodes are titled, this is very much one complete story featuring another of the Master's villainous schemes and the various efforts of different factions to stop him. The first half is relatively traditional, as we see the Master set his plan in motion and then carry it through as an assassin tries to hunt him down. As will probably be apparent from the title (and, to some extent, the cover image) much of this ties into the events of Genesis of the Daleks with plenty of grim scenes and a high body count.
The second half, though, gets much stranger as the Master's interference with the very event that sparked the Time War starts to unravel reality. We see glimpses of alternate universes, some of which come in rapid succession, the characters embedded within them unaware of the changes in continuity happening around them. There's also the introduction of an interesting character played by Mark Gatiss, whose role is key to the story but who remains enigmatic due to the limited constraints of the situation he finds himself in. The Master himself is often in the background here, although he does get a larger part as we approach the conclusion.
As with most of the Master-focussed stories, this is often dark and, despite the presence of the Daleks, there's little doubt that he's the main villain here. The second half is also not one for those who don't want crossing timestreams and shifting realities in their stories, and things can get rather complex. Neither of those are negatives for me, although it is disappointing that, especially in the second half, the Master is mostly just being megalomaniacal and evil, rather than giving Jacobi the chance to play the more nuanced character he does so well. But it does give the opportunity for a particularly grandiose plot that plays with time travel themes, and I think it's worth 4.5 stars.
The second half, though, gets much stranger as the Master's interference with the very event that sparked the Time War starts to unravel reality. We see glimpses of alternate universes, some of which come in rapid succession, the characters embedded within them unaware of the changes in continuity happening around them. There's also the introduction of an interesting character played by Mark Gatiss, whose role is key to the story but who remains enigmatic due to the limited constraints of the situation he finds himself in. The Master himself is often in the background here, although he does get a larger part as we approach the conclusion.
As with most of the Master-focussed stories, this is often dark and, despite the presence of the Daleks, there's little doubt that he's the main villain here. The second half is also not one for those who don't want crossing timestreams and shifting realities in their stories, and things can get rather complex. Neither of those are negatives for me, although it is disappointing that, especially in the second half, the Master is mostly just being megalomaniacal and evil, rather than giving Jacobi the chance to play the more nuanced character he does so well. But it does give the opportunity for a particularly grandiose plot that plays with time travel themes, and I think it's worth 4.5 stars.
June 20, 2023
This is my favorite boxset so far of the War Master releases. Derek Jacobi is brilliant, and his version of the Master attempts his most ambitious plan yet: supplanting Davros and attempting to rewrite the history of the Daleks in order to “win” the Time War on his own terms.
Going in, I initially thought this story would be a rehash of “Only the Good,” where in that release the War Master also attempts to alter the Time War for his own ends. While the first story in this boxset “From the Flames” started off slow for me, the narrative picks up in the next story “The Master’s Dalek Plan,” continues the momentum in “Shockwave” and culminates in “He Who Wins.”
I’ve been listening to a lot of Big Finish recently from the various Eighth Doctor releases to the first three War Master boxsets, to the Eric Roberts Master and Missy boxsets. So far “Anti-Genesis” and “Day of the Master” from Ravenous 4 are the my favorite Master stories on audio.
Other highlights from this release include Nicholas Briggs as the Dalek Time Strategist and Mark Gatiss as the Unbound Master. I’m not familiar with the Unbound universe, but I enjoyed Gatiss’ take on an alternative Master who can go toe to toe with Jacobi’s. And as a fan of the Eighth Doctor Time War 4 boxset, hearing the Time Strategist return was a welcome surprise. 5/5
Going in, I initially thought this story would be a rehash of “Only the Good,” where in that release the War Master also attempts to alter the Time War for his own ends. While the first story in this boxset “From the Flames” started off slow for me, the narrative picks up in the next story “The Master’s Dalek Plan,” continues the momentum in “Shockwave” and culminates in “He Who Wins.”
I’ve been listening to a lot of Big Finish recently from the various Eighth Doctor releases to the first three War Master boxsets, to the Eric Roberts Master and Missy boxsets. So far “Anti-Genesis” and “Day of the Master” from Ravenous 4 are the my favorite Master stories on audio.
Other highlights from this release include Nicholas Briggs as the Dalek Time Strategist and Mark Gatiss as the Unbound Master. I’m not familiar with the Unbound universe, but I enjoyed Gatiss’ take on an alternative Master who can go toe to toe with Jacobi’s. And as a fan of the Eighth Doctor Time War 4 boxset, hearing the Time Strategist return was a welcome surprise. 5/5
July 10, 2021
This was a lot of fun. Essentially, it takes the TV story "Genesis of the Daleks" and allows Derek Jacobi's War Master to jump in and take over. When the War Master turns up on Gallifrey dead, it's all part of a feindish plot that threatens to escalate the Time War to it's darkest, most terrible heights (or depths). Unfortunately, the Master's plot threatens to destroy reality. It then falls to the Unbound Master to convince the War Master to fix reality.
This really was a lot of fun. Jacobi shines as the completely evil War Master. Mark Gatiss does well as the Unbound Master, and Nicholas Briggs does well as the Daleks. The plotting requires a bit of concentration towork out the Master's plans, but getting is just so much fun. If you think that Jacobi's run as the Master on TV was exceedingly short, then definitely give these a try. Plus, listen to the Bomus Disc of interviews if that's something you normally skip. First of all, they're great insights into the plot and characters. Second, and the most important reason, this set has a bonus disc that ends with Derek Jacobi and Nick Briggs playing around with the ring modulator that creates the Dalek voices. And that is very worth it to listen to.
This really was a lot of fun. Jacobi shines as the completely evil War Master. Mark Gatiss does well as the Unbound Master, and Nicholas Briggs does well as the Daleks. The plotting requires a bit of concentration towork out the Master's plans, but getting is just so much fun. If you think that Jacobi's run as the Master on TV was exceedingly short, then definitely give these a try. Plus, listen to the Bomus Disc of interviews if that's something you normally skip. First of all, they're great insights into the plot and characters. Second, and the most important reason, this set has a bonus disc that ends with Derek Jacobi and Nick Briggs playing around with the ring modulator that creates the Dalek voices. And that is very worth it to listen to.
September 2, 2021
7/10
Verdict: Recommended
This story has a lot of fun scenes, Jacobi is amazing as usual and has probably his best master laugh in this. The side characters are fun as well, but the plot does get pretty slow when focusing solely on them. I don't think mentioning the 'other master' is much of a spoiler since he's on the cover and is in the story relatively early, but anyway he's really great, Gatiss really suits the role, and his introduction made me chuckle. If I had watched Genesis of the Daleks before this maybe I'd get more out of it, but a lot of the nods and quotes flew over my head. Maybe I'll appreciate it more once I've watched it. Overall it's good, verging on bad with how slow it is at points so is only a low 7/10.
Verdict: Recommended
This story has a lot of fun scenes, Jacobi is amazing as usual and has probably his best master laugh in this. The side characters are fun as well, but the plot does get pretty slow when focusing solely on them. I don't think mentioning the 'other master' is much of a spoiler since he's on the cover and is in the story relatively early, but anyway he's really great, Gatiss really suits the role, and his introduction made me chuckle. If I had watched Genesis of the Daleks before this maybe I'd get more out of it, but a lot of the nods and quotes flew over my head. Maybe I'll appreciate it more once I've watched it. Overall it's good, verging on bad with how slow it is at points so is only a low 7/10.
January 8, 2022
This is my second favorite War Master box set (behind the first one). In hindsight, I should’ve known the title Anti-Genesis, combined with Daleks on the cover, meant that this would have something to do with Genesis of the Daleks. What we get is what if The Master had changed the timeline and created the Daleks in Davros’ stead. Bringing in the Unbound Master played by Mark Gatiss made this an interesting multi-Master story. They played off of each other pretty well.
August 23, 2022
Just sort of lost me towards the end. Sadly lacking in Derek Jacobi being deliciously evil in comparison to the other boxsets, not that it wasn't fun to hear Livia and Narvin making an appearance. Also, Mark Gatiss' Master is unfamiliar to me and, in all honesty, a bit of a cookie cutter interpretation of the character that didn't do anything particularly interesting, so that didn't win any bonus points from me (though that's more on the writers than Mark himself, soz Mark).
February 16, 2020
This was a fantastc adventure. The master goes back to the creation of the daleks and killed Davros. Changing the time war changes the time lines but is it for the best. Is the master happy with his results. Find out.
April 16, 2020
Another terrific set with Derek Jacobi's Master - and continues to highlight how much of a limited view we had of him in this role on the TV. Also a great reference in the episode name for the Master's Dalek Plan.
April 2, 2023
Wasn’t sure I was going to be interested in a Gallifrey-centric plot from the first episode, but Gatiss as the second Master was a delight, and I enjoyed the third episode with its weird time resetting.
January 9, 2020
Masterful.
January 18, 2020
Very nearly rated this a 5, actually-- consider this as a 4.5 at least. :)
May 6, 2020
I'm really not sure how to rate this boxset. The ideas were good but I felt Narvin and Livia were very out of character for the majority of the time...
July 12, 2020
Perfect
August 16, 2020
Loved this bit of the Master being a bit overambitious, even for him. Nice way to show how the Time War was basically a mess.
October 16, 2022
The first half was fantastic. Part 2 was super creepy and I loved it. But it lost me on the second half, part 4 in particular. I felt like it was too drawn out?
December 27, 2024
Very good. Took me way too long to get through this (on account of personal stuff more so than anything to do with this set’s quality). But I really enjoyed this.
October 20, 2025
4.1 'From the Flames' by Nicholas Briggs: 4,5*
4.2 'The Master's Dalek Plan' by Alan Barnes: 5*
4.3 'Shockwave' by Alan Barnes: 5*
4.4 'He Who Wins' by Nicholas Briggs: 3,5*
4.2 'The Master's Dalek Plan' by Alan Barnes: 5*
4.3 'Shockwave' by Alan Barnes: 5*
4.4 'He Who Wins' by Nicholas Briggs: 3,5*
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