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Master! #1
Master!
Abandoned in the Vortex, the Master’s lost incarnation is about to be thrown a lifeline. Earth rebuilds in the aftermath of invasion, and power rests with those who innovate. Genius Lila Kreeg makes a deal with the devil to see her dreams fulfilled. As the Master returns, there are those – like Vienna Salvatori – who wish to hunt him, and those upon whom he wishes vengeance himself.
1.1 Faustian by Robert Valentine - Drake Enterprises is the most powerful company on Earth. Dr Lila Kreeg is its most valued asset. But her experiments open a doorway which allow an evil back into the universe. The Master can offer Lila the world, so long as she obeys him.
1.2 Prey by Robert Whitelock - Impossibly glamorous assassin Vienna Salvatori has a new target. Crossing time and space, Vienna takes one final job to free her from this life. But when the Master is hunted through the slums and ganglands of London, the line is blurred between predator and prey.
1.3 Vengeance by Matt Fitton - The Daleks are returning. Their plan, long in the making, is complete. Earth will be theirs once more. But someone stands against them. Someone with his own reasons for revenge – and Vienna and Lila are caught in the crossfire. Because Earth’s greatest hope against the Daleks lies with the Master.
1.1 Faustian by Robert Valentine - Drake Enterprises is the most powerful company on Earth. Dr Lila Kreeg is its most valued asset. But her experiments open a doorway which allow an evil back into the universe. The Master can offer Lila the world, so long as she obeys him.
1.2 Prey by Robert Whitelock - Impossibly glamorous assassin Vienna Salvatori has a new target. Crossing time and space, Vienna takes one final job to free her from this life. But when the Master is hunted through the slums and ganglands of London, the line is blurred between predator and prey.
1.3 Vengeance by Matt Fitton - The Daleks are returning. Their plan, long in the making, is complete. Earth will be theirs once more. But someone stands against them. Someone with his own reasons for revenge – and Vienna and Lila are caught in the crossfire. Because Earth’s greatest hope against the Daleks lies with the Master.
- GenresDoctor Who
Audiobook
First published March 30, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 25, 2021
Escludendo alcune comparsate negli episodi multi Maestro in casa Big Finish, il Master del film, interpretato da Eric Roberts, lo avevamo lasciato a cuocere del vortice del tempo... almeno fino ad ora.
1. Faustian by Robert Valentine
Un vero patto con il demonio è quello che la dottoressa Lila Kreeg fa con il misterioso individuo che riesce a contattarla durante i suoi esperimenti di viaggi nel tempo.
Siamo dopo la cacciata dei Dalek dalla Terra, all'interno della Drake Enterprises, grande azienda che promuove gli studi di Lila, e ottimo luogo di partenza per la solita conquista dell'Universo del Master... appena riuscirà ad uscire dal vortex.
2. Prey by Robert Whitelock
Il Diva Master incontra Vienna Salvatori, assassina a pagamento e una dei primi personaggi originali della Big Finish e interpretata da Chase Masterson, ed entrambi incontrano Jena Snake Plissken.
In fuga da un assassino a pagamento, il Maestro e Lila precipitano in un quartiere londinese dominato da gang criminali... solo un patto con la loro inseguitrici li potrà aiutare.
3. Vengeance by Matt Fitton
Non potevano mancare i Dalek, che decidono di tornare per riprendersi la Terra.
Tra complotti, alleanze e colpi di scena, sarà difficile decidere di chi fidarsi
Non mi era dispiaciuto il Maestro di Roberts nei vari audio ascoltati fino ad ora, mentre invece non sopporto l'interprete.
Per contro adoro Chase Masterton, anche se non ho mai ascoltato nulla della serie di Vienna, quindi non ho nessun metro di paragone.
Le storie sono anche carine, ma l'insieme non mi ha entusiasmato, non so neppure per colpa di chi.
Un prossimo capitolo della serie finirebbe in coda ad altre millemila uscite.
1. Faustian by Robert Valentine
Un vero patto con il demonio è quello che la dottoressa Lila Kreeg fa con il misterioso individuo che riesce a contattarla durante i suoi esperimenti di viaggi nel tempo.
Siamo dopo la cacciata dei Dalek dalla Terra, all'interno della Drake Enterprises, grande azienda che promuove gli studi di Lila, e ottimo luogo di partenza per la solita conquista dell'Universo del Master... appena riuscirà ad uscire dal vortex.
2. Prey by Robert Whitelock
Il Diva Master incontra Vienna Salvatori, assassina a pagamento e una dei primi personaggi originali della Big Finish e interpretata da Chase Masterson, ed entrambi incontrano Jena Snake Plissken.
In fuga da un assassino a pagamento, il Maestro e Lila precipitano in un quartiere londinese dominato da gang criminali... solo un patto con la loro inseguitrici li potrà aiutare.
3. Vengeance by Matt Fitton
Non potevano mancare i Dalek, che decidono di tornare per riprendersi la Terra.
Tra complotti, alleanze e colpi di scena, sarà difficile decidere di chi fidarsi
Non mi era dispiaciuto il Maestro di Roberts nei vari audio ascoltati fino ad ora, mentre invece non sopporto l'interprete.
Per contro adoro Chase Masterton, anche se non ho mai ascoltato nulla della serie di Vienna, quindi non ho nessun metro di paragone.
Le storie sono anche carine, ma l'insieme non mi ha entusiasmato, non so neppure per colpa di chi.
Un prossimo capitolo della serie finirebbe in coda ad altre millemila uscite.
November 5, 2023
1.1 Faustian - What happened to The Master after the events of the made-for-TV-film (aka Doctor Who: The Novel of the Film)? Well, Eric Roberts returns to help answer that very question about his version of The Master. This first “episode” is a strong opening that reintroduces this particular Master and his brand new companion in crimes and schemes. Very entertaining to discover what happened to The Master after he was trapped in the temporal vortex at the end of Doctor Who: The Novel of the Film (3/5).
1.2 Prey - A thrilling chase as the Master meets up with Vienna Salvatori (portrayed by Chase Masterson, and who last appeared in Vienna: Retribution) and all bets are off on who’s gonna come out on top. It’s a lot of fun. But there isn’t a lot of tension. Which is kind of sad, as I was looking forward to these two sparring. Still, as I said, it’s a lot of fun and a lot of scenery gets chewed (3/5).
1.3 Vengeance - The Master! The Daleks! Vienna Salvatori! Holy shi…! Run! And don’t look back! Who do you root for? The villain? The antagonist? The assassin anti-hero? If the “protagonist” is an “antagonist” and the anti-hero is trying to assassinate the villain … I’m so confused! Everything has been building to this confrontation of confrontations! This is nuts! This is crazy! Wait a second, who has made an alliance with whom? If you thought it was toss-up who would come out on top in the last episode, this one is even more … well … there’s only one word to describe this - chaos! The only thing worse would be if this was actually imbedded within the Time War! Oh crap! Now I’ve given Big Finish the idea (4/5)!
The ending wants me to boost this one up to 4-stars, but I think it’s safer to keep the overall rating at 3. This set also included the usual bonus features of behind-the-scenes interviews with members of the cast and crew (3/5).
1.2 Prey - A thrilling chase as the Master meets up with Vienna Salvatori (portrayed by Chase Masterson, and who last appeared in Vienna: Retribution) and all bets are off on who’s gonna come out on top. It’s a lot of fun. But there isn’t a lot of tension. Which is kind of sad, as I was looking forward to these two sparring. Still, as I said, it’s a lot of fun and a lot of scenery gets chewed (3/5).
1.3 Vengeance - The Master! The Daleks! Vienna Salvatori! Holy shi…! Run! And don’t look back! Who do you root for? The villain? The antagonist? The assassin anti-hero? If the “protagonist” is an “antagonist” and the anti-hero is trying to assassinate the villain … I’m so confused! Everything has been building to this confrontation of confrontations! This is nuts! This is crazy! Wait a second, who has made an alliance with whom? If you thought it was toss-up who would come out on top in the last episode, this one is even more … well … there’s only one word to describe this - chaos! The only thing worse would be if this was actually imbedded within the Time War! Oh crap! Now I’ve given Big Finish the idea (4/5)!
The ending wants me to boost this one up to 4-stars, but I think it’s safer to keep the overall rating at 3. This set also included the usual bonus features of behind-the-scenes interviews with members of the cast and crew (3/5).
November 11, 2022
Faustian:
6/10
Verdict: Optional
I enjoyed this story but it was pretty slow, the characters felt generic and there wasn't much in the way of plot, I predicted the way it would go and it followed that path exactly, bar one character death which ultimately felt completely functional to get them out of the rest of the boxset. Eric Roberts was pretty great and The Master's characterisation in this really worked. Even with the flaws, this is a decent start with enough intrigue built to follow through with the next two stories.
Prey:
7/10
Verdict: Optional
Really fun setting, good side characters and a nice rhythm and energy to the story and it's pacing. Roberts gets some good scenes where he's really able to show off his manipulative side. I'm still not sure how I feel about Master Inc but his evil CEO thing does work pretty well. I'm putting this as a low 7/10 as some elements do come off as pretty run of the mill and it can get somewhat slow, but it's fun nonetheless.
Vengeance:
6/10
Verdict: Optional
Very typical season finale. Everything works about this, but I didn't really feel any connection to the events or characters. I wish I could say more but there's very little to write about. Everyone's acting was top notch, and I do like the dalek squabbles, even though I've seen this type of dalek story told quite a few times now. The surprise twist character was mildly interesting I guess, but given the screentime they get across the boxset I didn't feel anything for them or their actions in this story. Overall, it was alright, if you've listened to the last two stories in the boxset you might as well listen to this one.
6/10
Verdict: Optional
I enjoyed this story but it was pretty slow, the characters felt generic and there wasn't much in the way of plot, I predicted the way it would go and it followed that path exactly, bar one character death which ultimately felt completely functional to get them out of the rest of the boxset. Eric Roberts was pretty great and The Master's characterisation in this really worked. Even with the flaws, this is a decent start with enough intrigue built to follow through with the next two stories.
Prey:
7/10
Verdict: Optional
Really fun setting, good side characters and a nice rhythm and energy to the story and it's pacing. Roberts gets some good scenes where he's really able to show off his manipulative side. I'm still not sure how I feel about Master Inc but his evil CEO thing does work pretty well. I'm putting this as a low 7/10 as some elements do come off as pretty run of the mill and it can get somewhat slow, but it's fun nonetheless.
Vengeance:
6/10
Verdict: Optional
Very typical season finale. Everything works about this, but I didn't really feel any connection to the events or characters. I wish I could say more but there's very little to write about. Everyone's acting was top notch, and I do like the dalek squabbles, even though I've seen this type of dalek story told quite a few times now. The surprise twist character was mildly interesting I guess, but given the screentime they get across the boxset I didn't feel anything for them or their actions in this story. Overall, it was alright, if you've listened to the last two stories in the boxset you might as well listen to this one.
September 28, 2022
Eric Roberts’ Master finally gets the spotlight he deserves. It’s great to hear him on top form, but the story is really forgettable and doesn’t have the most thrilling payoff.
April 14, 2021
Solid three-part adventure showcasing the Eric Roberts version of The Master.
I hadn't been too impressed with Eric Roberts' previous few appearances in Big Finish releases. "The Lifeboat and the Deathboat" (from The Diary of River Song) was very meh. And in Masterful and the finale of "Ravenous" he was sharing the spotlight with other incarnations of the Master. So I wasn't sure how he was going to be in his first "starring role." Master! puts the focus on him and really gives him an opportunity to show us what this incarnation of the Master can be. And just like each incarnation of The Doctor is different, so is each incarnation of The Master. Roberts' Master comes off like a calculating corporate CEO and/or crime boss rather than a lunatic with crazy, universe-conquering (or destroying) plans. Perhaps it's because he's the only American to play the role, but I think this persona works well for him, and should provide the template for future appearances. And I hope there are plenty of future appearances.
Though Vienna doesn't show up until Part 2, this feels very much like Vienna, Series 5. (And I hope we do eventually get a Vienna, Series 5, but this will be the placeholder for now.) Sidekick Jexie is name-checked (placing this somewhere post-Series 2), though she doesn't appear. Rather, Vienna is paired with a robot she nicknames Artie. It works, and gives her someone to talk to during the action, but this is Vienna, on her own, doing one last bounty-hunting job against Jexie's advice. And Chase Masterson once again nails the cheerfully cynical role. (In the "behind the scenes" portion she refers to Vienna as a combination of La Femme Nikita and Elaine from Seinfeld. My goodness, what a comparison.)
While Vienna is technically a spinoff of Doctor Who, this is the first time since her intial appearance in The Shadow Heart where the Whoniverse has even been referenced. As with Counter-Measures, I don't think Vienna needs "stunt casting" from the parent series, but if that's what it takes to boost sales of her own series and make a Vienna, Series 5 (and 6 and 7) more likely, then go ahead, and have her encountering The Master and Daleks.
Daleks. Yeah, I was rather skeptical that Daleks were going to be shoved into this release. But there's a very in-universe reason for them to be here, and it works. Nor do they dominate the narrative. Also, who knew there was such a thing as a Dalek Litigator. BF has given us many different kinds of Daleks, but a Lawyer-Dalek was amusingly unexpected.
To sum up -- it's the sort of solid, fun adventure one expects from a Vienna, release, and Eric Roberts absolutely owns the role of The Master. At last.
I hadn't been too impressed with Eric Roberts' previous few appearances in Big Finish releases. "The Lifeboat and the Deathboat" (from The Diary of River Song) was very meh. And in Masterful and the finale of "Ravenous" he was sharing the spotlight with other incarnations of the Master. So I wasn't sure how he was going to be in his first "starring role." Master! puts the focus on him and really gives him an opportunity to show us what this incarnation of the Master can be. And just like each incarnation of The Doctor is different, so is each incarnation of The Master. Roberts' Master comes off like a calculating corporate CEO and/or crime boss rather than a lunatic with crazy, universe-conquering (or destroying) plans. Perhaps it's because he's the only American to play the role, but I think this persona works well for him, and should provide the template for future appearances. And I hope there are plenty of future appearances.
Though Vienna doesn't show up until Part 2, this feels very much like Vienna, Series 5. (And I hope we do eventually get a Vienna, Series 5, but this will be the placeholder for now.) Sidekick Jexie is name-checked (placing this somewhere post-Series 2), though she doesn't appear. Rather, Vienna is paired with a robot she nicknames Artie. It works, and gives her someone to talk to during the action, but this is Vienna, on her own, doing one last bounty-hunting job against Jexie's advice. And Chase Masterson once again nails the cheerfully cynical role. (In the "behind the scenes" portion she refers to Vienna as a combination of La Femme Nikita and Elaine from Seinfeld. My goodness, what a comparison.)
While Vienna is technically a spinoff of Doctor Who, this is the first time since her intial appearance in The Shadow Heart where the Whoniverse has even been referenced. As with Counter-Measures, I don't think Vienna needs "stunt casting" from the parent series, but if that's what it takes to boost sales of her own series and make a Vienna, Series 5 (and 6 and 7) more likely, then go ahead, and have her encountering The Master and Daleks.
Daleks. Yeah, I was rather skeptical that Daleks were going to be shoved into this release. But there's a very in-universe reason for them to be here, and it works. Nor do they dominate the narrative. Also, who knew there was such a thing as a Dalek Litigator. BF has given us many different kinds of Daleks, but a Lawyer-Dalek was amusingly unexpected.
To sum up -- it's the sort of solid, fun adventure one expects from a Vienna, release, and Eric Roberts absolutely owns the role of The Master. At last.
October 31, 2025
The Master! 3 vol set
Audio version
Big Finish Productions
Eric Roberts has the best-ever Master voice. I remember him in the crappy 1996 movie (that I have watched a thousand times) that tried to reboot the series in the US with US funding. Didn’t happen. Which is good. They changed the regeneration into a Frankenstein rip-off. That didn’t go down well with anybody.
In an interview on the audiobook, Eric Roberts said, Dr. Who at the time was very campy (it was, and we still loved it), and he asked if he could play it straight. The producers said, OK. And he gave us one of the best Masters until Sacha Dhawan came along. Yes, Roger Delgado and Anthony Ainley were great in their time.
The audio script (I should say book as everything is acted out) was written by Robert Valentine, Robert Whitelock, and Matt Fitton (One book each for the three-book series)
Starring Eric Roberts and Chase Masterson.
Earth is rebuilding after an invasion by the Daleks. Drake enterprises is one of the top research companies in the world. Their top scientist is Lila and while researching teleportation, she stumbles into the Vortex and starts to hear a voice, whispering to her all the answers to the universe. All she has to do is find a way to free this person, calling himself, The Master.
This three book series is totally badass. The Master is devious but I feel he could have been written a little darker. I loved Simms at his second run as The Master. He was dark and crazy as fuck. Brilliant. Missy was also brilliant.
In the audio script, you will enjoy The Master taking control, facing as assassin, taken prisoner in the streets, chased through the underground system, Daleks return. And someone who died but she not dead. Not really.
The books are short. Or they seemed short as I listened at every opportunity.
Audio version
Big Finish Productions
Eric Roberts has the best-ever Master voice. I remember him in the crappy 1996 movie (that I have watched a thousand times) that tried to reboot the series in the US with US funding. Didn’t happen. Which is good. They changed the regeneration into a Frankenstein rip-off. That didn’t go down well with anybody.
In an interview on the audiobook, Eric Roberts said, Dr. Who at the time was very campy (it was, and we still loved it), and he asked if he could play it straight. The producers said, OK. And he gave us one of the best Masters until Sacha Dhawan came along. Yes, Roger Delgado and Anthony Ainley were great in their time.
The audio script (I should say book as everything is acted out) was written by Robert Valentine, Robert Whitelock, and Matt Fitton (One book each for the three-book series)
Starring Eric Roberts and Chase Masterson.
Earth is rebuilding after an invasion by the Daleks. Drake enterprises is one of the top research companies in the world. Their top scientist is Lila and while researching teleportation, she stumbles into the Vortex and starts to hear a voice, whispering to her all the answers to the universe. All she has to do is find a way to free this person, calling himself, The Master.
This three book series is totally badass. The Master is devious but I feel he could have been written a little darker. I loved Simms at his second run as The Master. He was dark and crazy as fuck. Brilliant. Missy was also brilliant.
In the audio script, you will enjoy The Master taking control, facing as assassin, taken prisoner in the streets, chased through the underground system, Daleks return. And someone who died but she not dead. Not really.
The books are short. Or they seemed short as I listened at every opportunity.
May 19, 2021
The story begins with a familiar scene-
mysterious lab with some crazy future scientists- familiar, because it reminded me of the science lab setup we get in Dark Eyes.
However, the placement in time, after the Dalek Invasion of Earth, is certainly interesting.
And yes, I was a bit hesitant about this release because Roberts did not really captivate me in the previous outings.
However, I need not have worried since we get some wonderful villain overacting.
Perfect for the character.
This was what I had been waiting for in the other releases!
In the extras to part one Roberts says that his Master was at first to be quite camp, so he asked to tone him down. Okay.... I have to say this worked out perfectly???
I just wonder now how this Master would have turned out if he was even more camp?
In the second story, we finally meet up again with Vienna.
The story develops into an exciting dystopian hit and run thriller, and I definitely really liked that.
I admit, I mainly got this because of Chase Masterson, and Vienna is even more the fun and bada$$ character than I expected out of this. She is great.
In short:
This was fun and entertaining.
While Roberts was better in this than in his previous outings, the star for me definitely was Vienna. She is just an amazing character.
mysterious lab with some crazy future scientists- familiar, because it reminded me of the science lab setup we get in Dark Eyes.
However, the placement in time, after the Dalek Invasion of Earth, is certainly interesting.
And yes, I was a bit hesitant about this release because Roberts did not really captivate me in the previous outings.
However, I need not have worried since we get some wonderful villain overacting.
Perfect for the character.
This was what I had been waiting for in the other releases!
In the extras to part one Roberts says that his Master was at first to be quite camp, so he asked to tone him down. Okay.... I have to say this worked out perfectly???
I just wonder now how this Master would have turned out if he was even more camp?
In the second story, we finally meet up again with Vienna.
The story develops into an exciting dystopian hit and run thriller, and I definitely really liked that.
I admit, I mainly got this because of Chase Masterson, and Vienna is even more the fun and bada$$ character than I expected out of this. She is great.
In short:
This was fun and entertaining.
While Roberts was better in this than in his previous outings, the star for me definitely was Vienna. She is just an amazing character.
April 19, 2021
The title of this boxset really should’ve been something more original. But anyway, I think I enjoyed this a bit more than Masterful. The Eric Roberts Master is definitely more interesting here than in that and the Doctor Who movie where he first appeared. Normally the inclusion of Daleks can get tiresome, but I appreciated how this tied back to The Master’s trial at the hands of the Daleks that’s alluded to at the beginning of the movie.
February 4, 2022
A solid drama, one that perfectly fits Eric Robert's Master that he originated in 1998. Robert's Master feels so at ease here, so perfectly placed, in comparison to his other Big Finish appearances where he feels slightly more awkward. I also like the very American feel to the set, which differs it from their usual stories. 4 stars.
April 14, 2021
Very much enjoyed this. I hope there will be more releases with this Master.
May 1, 2021
Great to hear Eric Roberts back as the Master
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2021
The master tricks someone into freeing him then salvatori fights to send him back.
December 6, 2024
Faustian 3.5
Prey 3
Vengeance 3
found on a podcast app
Prey 3
Vengeance 3
found on a podcast app
April 11, 2021
Bloody brilliant this was!
(Nice to hear some Americans...aha)
(Nice to hear some Americans...aha)
June 10, 2021
Eric Roberts originally was not an itteration of The Master I was particularly interested in, following the TV movie, but Big Finish did what they do best and developed him into an evil sinister Master that earns that title.
With involvements within previous Big Finish Ranges such as River Song and 8th Doctor Ravenous, there wasn't much development on the character. Eric Roberts is clearly enjoying himself playing such an evil character and I would recommend this boxset to anyone who loves The Master.
With involvements within previous Big Finish Ranges such as River Song and 8th Doctor Ravenous, there wasn't much development on the character. Eric Roberts is clearly enjoying himself playing such an evil character and I would recommend this boxset to anyone who loves The Master.
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