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The War Master #6
The War Master: Killing Time
For centuries, the Stagnant Protocol has been forgotten by the universe: an empire populated by a race that can never advance... a race the Master seeks to seize control of.
Unfortunately for him, he has a rival - Calantha - and she understands how to manipulate the system better than he could ever hope. His only chance of defeating her lies in the hands of some old acquaintances, whether they realise it or not.
One thing, however, is certain. Whichever of them may win, the Stagnant Protocol is destined to lose...
6.1 The Sincerest Form of Flattery by James Goss
6.2 A Quiet Night In by Lou Morgan
6.3 The Orphan by Lou Morgan
6.4 Unfinished Business by James Goss
Unfortunately for him, he has a rival - Calantha - and she understands how to manipulate the system better than he could ever hope. His only chance of defeating her lies in the hands of some old acquaintances, whether they realise it or not.
One thing, however, is certain. Whichever of them may win, the Stagnant Protocol is destined to lose...
6.1 The Sincerest Form of Flattery by James Goss
6.2 A Quiet Night In by Lou Morgan
6.3 The Orphan by Lou Morgan
6.4 Unfinished Business by James Goss
Audiobook
First published August 1, 2021
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About the author
James Goss
231 books181 followersJames Goss has written two Torchwood novels and a radio play, as well as a Being Human book. His Doctor Who audiobook Dead Air won Best Audiobook 2010. James also spent seven years working on the BBC's official Doctor Who website and co-wrote the website for Torchwood Series One. In 2007, he won the Best Adaptation category in the annual LA Weekly Theatre Awards for his version of Douglas Adams' novel Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 4, 2021
Il sesto capitolo della serie dedicata al War Master di Derek Jacobi ci regala nuove nefandezze da parte del Master.
Questa volta lo ritroviamo su un pianeta parte dello Stagnant Protocol e vittima della Guerra del Tempo per colpa del Time Lord.
La sorte degli abitanti del protocollo stagnante non è brutta, rispetto ad altri. Non invecchiano, anche se tendono ad ammazzarsi tra di loro per motivi politici, ma non generano più figli e non possono abbandonare la zona circoscritta da una barriera temporale.
Ma, se nessuno può uscire, qualcuno può aprire un varco ed entrare e se quel qualcuno è il Maestro le cose non possono che volgere al peggio.
Approfittando di una misteriosa pestilenza il Maestro inizia una scalata al potere, scontrandosi con Calantha, un'altra arrivista locale che, apparentemente, riesce tenere a bada e sottomettere il Maestro.
6.1 The Sincerest Form of Flattery by James Goss
Il Maestro cerca di introdursi nella società e allunga i suoi tentacoli un po' ovunque, ma Calantha, interpretata da Alexandria Riley (che abbiamo già conosciuto come Ng nelle serie di Torchwood Aliens e God Among Us), riesce a batterlo grazie alle proprie conoscenze del sistema e all'apparenza capacità di tenere la pestilenza sotto controllo.
6.2 A Quiet Night In by Lou Morgan
Ritroviamo il Maestro sulla Terra, impegnato a confondere memoria e sicurezze di Jo Grant Jones, costringendola con l'inganno, e senza che lei se ne renda conto, a sottrarre un oggetto dalla U.N.I.T., oggetto che scopriremo gli sarà utile nel suo piano contro Calantha.
Episodio ben riuscito, dal punto di vista claustrofobico e angosciante per la povera Jo, ma del tutto slegato dalla trama principale se non per un riferimento secondario.
Poteva essere benissimo un stand alone e, probabilmente, l'avrei gradito di più.
6.3 The Orphan by Lou Morgan
Dopo Jo è il turno di Nyssa, anche lei manipolata dal Maestro e distrutta psicologicamente e, forse, anche fisicamente.
Impiegata su una nave ospedale, occupata nella ricerca di una cura per la pestilenza che affligge lo Stagnant Protocol, viene raggiunta dal Master che, sfruttando il materiale procuratigli da Jo, riesce a creare un ceppo ancor più mortale... non prima di aver mandato in esaurimento Nyssa ed averla abbandonata su una nave impestata, dopo averle dato il colpo di grazia rivelandosi la sua vera identità.
Altro episodio che avrebbe funzionato in solitaria, ma più collegato alla trama principale.
Anche non avendo ascoltato gli audio che raccontano di come Nyssa sia arrivata sulla nave ospedale, la comprensione del tutto non ne risente.
6.4 Unfinished Business by James Goss
Torniamo sul pianeta, con Calantha imperatrice e il Maestro suo fastidioso braccio destro, tanto da venir imprigionato e condannato a morte lenta e dolorosa.
Abbiamo una comparsata dei Dalek, di un loro ambasciatore almeno, e il trionfo del Maestro con un colpo di scena degno di lui.
Ovviamente il Master vince, prende il potere e si mette a coltivare viti, come già fatto in precedenti avventure.
Pur essendo diviso in due parti nette, una legata alle vicende dello.Stagnant Protocol, l'altra che sembra essere stata recuperata e adattata per essere inserita nella storia, nel complesso il boxset è gradevole.
Jacobi come Maestro supera se stesso e l'amabilità con cui compie azioni sempre più atroci è pura poesia.
L'effetto nostalgia con l'inserimento di Jo e Nyssa con me non ha funzionato del tutto, ma le due storie, prese da sole, non erano male e l'interazione tra i protagonisti ottima.
Si resta in attesa del settimo capitolo, con grandi ritorni già annunciati.
Questa volta lo ritroviamo su un pianeta parte dello Stagnant Protocol e vittima della Guerra del Tempo per colpa del Time Lord.
La sorte degli abitanti del protocollo stagnante non è brutta, rispetto ad altri. Non invecchiano, anche se tendono ad ammazzarsi tra di loro per motivi politici, ma non generano più figli e non possono abbandonare la zona circoscritta da una barriera temporale.
Ma, se nessuno può uscire, qualcuno può aprire un varco ed entrare e se quel qualcuno è il Maestro le cose non possono che volgere al peggio.
Approfittando di una misteriosa pestilenza il Maestro inizia una scalata al potere, scontrandosi con Calantha, un'altra arrivista locale che, apparentemente, riesce tenere a bada e sottomettere il Maestro.
6.1 The Sincerest Form of Flattery by James Goss
Il Maestro cerca di introdursi nella società e allunga i suoi tentacoli un po' ovunque, ma Calantha, interpretata da Alexandria Riley (che abbiamo già conosciuto come Ng nelle serie di Torchwood Aliens e God Among Us), riesce a batterlo grazie alle proprie conoscenze del sistema e all'apparenza capacità di tenere la pestilenza sotto controllo.
6.2 A Quiet Night In by Lou Morgan
Ritroviamo il Maestro sulla Terra, impegnato a confondere memoria e sicurezze di Jo Grant Jones, costringendola con l'inganno, e senza che lei se ne renda conto, a sottrarre un oggetto dalla U.N.I.T., oggetto che scopriremo gli sarà utile nel suo piano contro Calantha.
Episodio ben riuscito, dal punto di vista claustrofobico e angosciante per la povera Jo, ma del tutto slegato dalla trama principale se non per un riferimento secondario.
Poteva essere benissimo un stand alone e, probabilmente, l'avrei gradito di più.
6.3 The Orphan by Lou Morgan
Dopo Jo è il turno di Nyssa, anche lei manipolata dal Maestro e distrutta psicologicamente e, forse, anche fisicamente.
Impiegata su una nave ospedale, occupata nella ricerca di una cura per la pestilenza che affligge lo Stagnant Protocol, viene raggiunta dal Master che, sfruttando il materiale procuratigli da Jo, riesce a creare un ceppo ancor più mortale... non prima di aver mandato in esaurimento Nyssa ed averla abbandonata su una nave impestata, dopo averle dato il colpo di grazia rivelandosi la sua vera identità.
Altro episodio che avrebbe funzionato in solitaria, ma più collegato alla trama principale.
Anche non avendo ascoltato gli audio che raccontano di come Nyssa sia arrivata sulla nave ospedale, la comprensione del tutto non ne risente.
6.4 Unfinished Business by James Goss
Torniamo sul pianeta, con Calantha imperatrice e il Maestro suo fastidioso braccio destro, tanto da venir imprigionato e condannato a morte lenta e dolorosa.
Abbiamo una comparsata dei Dalek, di un loro ambasciatore almeno, e il trionfo del Maestro con un colpo di scena degno di lui.
Ovviamente il Master vince, prende il potere e si mette a coltivare viti, come già fatto in precedenti avventure.
Pur essendo diviso in due parti nette, una legata alle vicende dello.Stagnant Protocol, l'altra che sembra essere stata recuperata e adattata per essere inserita nella storia, nel complesso il boxset è gradevole.
Jacobi come Maestro supera se stesso e l'amabilità con cui compie azioni sempre più atroci è pura poesia.
L'effetto nostalgia con l'inserimento di Jo e Nyssa con me non ha funzionato del tutto, ma le due storie, prese da sole, non erano male e l'interazione tra i protagonisti ottima.
Si resta in attesa del settimo capitolo, con grandi ritorni già annunciati.
August 8, 2021
Sinister, Ruthless, Evil. I knew this incarnation of the Master was brutal but this boxset truly shows how evil he can be, and more so, how much he enjoys tormenting and torturing others, not physically, but mentally.
The return of Jo and Nyssa was a nice touch, we see The Master manipulating them to aid him, leaving the big reveal once the work is done only to leave both Jo & Nyssa in horror as to who they have just aided.
In terms of performance, Jacobi excels as usual portraying The Master. His laugh alone is enough to make him a favorite of mine.
Overall, another stellar performance from all involved, keeping up with high standard of scripts and acting one can expect from The War Master series.
The return of Jo and Nyssa was a nice touch, we see The Master manipulating them to aid him, leaving the big reveal once the work is done only to leave both Jo & Nyssa in horror as to who they have just aided.
In terms of performance, Jacobi excels as usual portraying The Master. His laugh alone is enough to make him a favorite of mine.
Overall, another stellar performance from all involved, keeping up with high standard of scripts and acting one can expect from The War Master series.
September 9, 2021
So it's time again for another War Master set and this one I have been looking forward to very much indeed!
The Sincerest Form of Flattery:
The Master arrives on The Stagnant Protocol to try and work his way through the ranks as an ambassador for another of his masterplans. But the people are immortal but also infertile thanks to a mysterious weapon that the people believe to be of Timelord origin. However, he and a woman by the name of Calantha are in a spot of rivalry to achieve their goals but only one can win and this time The Master may just lose.
This was a really fun opening to the set and Derek Jacobi as always is on fire as The Master. Calantha also proves to be a very tricky opponent for him! Really looking forward to seeing how this set concludes! 8.5/10
A Quiet Night In:
Jo Grant has gone to see and stay with her Uncle for a quiet night in but something very mysterious is going on with a strange Party that nobody knows of and a that house seems to twist and change the more she looks for answers whilst a man and a woman talk of papers to do with her uncle. Something terrifying is going on here and Jo Grant may not come out of it the same again.
This was a wicked and disturbing story that sees The Master at arguably his most evil and manipulative and his plan here is so heartbreakingly cruel you will be shattered by the end of it. Such a richly atmospheric story that proves to be terrifying up to the very end. This contains probably both Katy Manning and Derek Jacobi's best performances for Big Finish so far and I would love it if they got to do more together! 10/10
The Orphan:
Nyssa of Traken has been brought in to help put an end to a terrible plague that is taking over The Stagnant Protocol. However, she is in desperate need of help so a newcomer arrives but it's The Master and he has a nasty trick up his sleeve one that Nyssa may not see in time.
This was another really wicked and traumatic story for a companion. Derek Jacobi's Master is definitely the most successful out of his incarnations since most of the time he actually wins and what he does to Nyssa here is nothing short of heartbreaking and Sarah Sutton gives a great performance! I do slightly prefer the last story for its atmosphere but it's still nothing short of amazing. 10/10
Unfinished Business:
The Master returns to The Stagnant Protocol for another attempt to take over but Calantha is empress now and she won't let him even if she has to make her rival suffer!
This was a great way to end the set it starts out as The Master trying to worm his way into being emperor and overthrowing Calantha but as the story progresses we do realize there is a small involvement from The Daleks in this but they don't actually appear which was actually refreshing. The Master and Calantha bounce off of each other really well but towards the end, this story actually gets quite dark with The Master doing arguably one of the most gruesome things he's ever done to another person and it's terrifying!
Not as great as the two-character pieces of the set but I am surprised how the set opened up with a really fun story and then growing more depressing as it's continued on! It shows that the writers at Big Finish aren't afraid to lure the listener into a false sense of security and it works splendidly! 9/10
Overall: 37.5/40
The Sincerest Form of Flattery:
The Master arrives on The Stagnant Protocol to try and work his way through the ranks as an ambassador for another of his masterplans. But the people are immortal but also infertile thanks to a mysterious weapon that the people believe to be of Timelord origin. However, he and a woman by the name of Calantha are in a spot of rivalry to achieve their goals but only one can win and this time The Master may just lose.
This was a really fun opening to the set and Derek Jacobi as always is on fire as The Master. Calantha also proves to be a very tricky opponent for him! Really looking forward to seeing how this set concludes! 8.5/10
A Quiet Night In:
Jo Grant has gone to see and stay with her Uncle for a quiet night in but something very mysterious is going on with a strange Party that nobody knows of and a that house seems to twist and change the more she looks for answers whilst a man and a woman talk of papers to do with her uncle. Something terrifying is going on here and Jo Grant may not come out of it the same again.
This was a wicked and disturbing story that sees The Master at arguably his most evil and manipulative and his plan here is so heartbreakingly cruel you will be shattered by the end of it. Such a richly atmospheric story that proves to be terrifying up to the very end. This contains probably both Katy Manning and Derek Jacobi's best performances for Big Finish so far and I would love it if they got to do more together! 10/10
The Orphan:
Nyssa of Traken has been brought in to help put an end to a terrible plague that is taking over The Stagnant Protocol. However, she is in desperate need of help so a newcomer arrives but it's The Master and he has a nasty trick up his sleeve one that Nyssa may not see in time.
This was another really wicked and traumatic story for a companion. Derek Jacobi's Master is definitely the most successful out of his incarnations since most of the time he actually wins and what he does to Nyssa here is nothing short of heartbreaking and Sarah Sutton gives a great performance! I do slightly prefer the last story for its atmosphere but it's still nothing short of amazing. 10/10
Unfinished Business:
The Master returns to The Stagnant Protocol for another attempt to take over but Calantha is empress now and she won't let him even if she has to make her rival suffer!
This was a great way to end the set it starts out as The Master trying to worm his way into being emperor and overthrowing Calantha but as the story progresses we do realize there is a small involvement from The Daleks in this but they don't actually appear which was actually refreshing. The Master and Calantha bounce off of each other really well but towards the end, this story actually gets quite dark with The Master doing arguably one of the most gruesome things he's ever done to another person and it's terrifying!
Not as great as the two-character pieces of the set but I am surprised how the set opened up with a really fun story and then growing more depressing as it's continued on! It shows that the writers at Big Finish aren't afraid to lure the listener into a false sense of security and it works splendidly! 9/10
Overall: 37.5/40
July 18, 2022
Wow, this is a punch to the gut.
The Master is a true cruel and evil mastermind here.
He excels at gaslighting and what he does to poor Jo is absolutely heartbreaking.
And he does something equally horrific to poor Nyssa.
Plus, yes, while the planetary society he tries to dominate are also not the nicest people, he shows utter delight in screwing them over and completely breaking them.
The Master is nobody anyone messes with.
He really is a weapon of mass destruction all by himself.
All this is performed to near perfection.
It is chilling and heartbreaking and devastating and everybody gives their all.
The Master is a true cruel and evil mastermind here.
He excels at gaslighting and what he does to poor Jo is absolutely heartbreaking.
And he does something equally horrific to poor Nyssa.
Plus, yes, while the planetary society he tries to dominate are also not the nicest people, he shows utter delight in screwing them over and completely breaking them.
The Master is nobody anyone messes with.
He really is a weapon of mass destruction all by himself.
All this is performed to near perfection.
It is chilling and heartbreaking and devastating and everybody gives their all.
August 29, 2024
Derek Jacobi returns to terrorise another system, once again deftly balancing brutal cruelty, and cunning charisma. The War Master range plays with the uncomfortable, innate feeling that deep down that what we really want to see is the villain win. We really do love to see the Master succeed. The series’ has effectively explored this conflicting desire in various creative ways in the past: through crafting new, likeable characters like the Master’s ‘companion’ Cole Jarnish from Only the Good, or the King family in The Master of Callous, by pitting the Master against an equal in the Eighth Doctor in both Rage of the Time Lords and The Hearts of Darkness, and in interrogating exactly what it would mean for the Master to achieve total victory in Anti-Genesis.
How does Killing Time tackle this issue? By taking the most direct and cutting path. James Goss and Lou Morgan effectively created a new and original rival for the Master, and brought back two companions with close connections to him. Established throughout this set, the Master has a new, intelligent and defeatable opponent, Calantha. Performed by Alexandria Riley, Calantha is a cunning, callous opponent of her own right, but she also has considerable advantage over the Master – she is native to the culture and system that he is attempting to seize control of! The Master is not just attempting to dominate the Stagnant Protocol, he’s also quite figuratively killing time by paying a visit to some old ‘friends’, Nyssa of Traken and Jo Jones.
I believe it is quite accurate to say that as fans of Big Finish, and the expanded universe of Who in general, we are intrinsically far more concerned with the fate of returning companions more than any other new, original character or another face of Doctor’s. Integrating a classic companion into a War Master story has an innate advantage over any other.
Frankly, Nyssa and Jo are severely outclassed when facing the Master without the Doctor, and Killing Time had me on tenterhooks throughout their episodes. You may believe that given Nyssa and Jo are classic character’s with highly fleshed out and established canon that high stakes and real danger could not be established, but that could not be further from the truth. Nyssa and Jo are not the same people that travelled with the Doctor. They are both older, wiser and more mature. But they’re also more vulnerable, and less confined by the established events of canon. Ultimately, once the dust has settled, the biggest question that remains is did Killing Time go too far?
Read the full review of each episode here:
https://sonicreviewwho.wordpress.com/...
How does Killing Time tackle this issue? By taking the most direct and cutting path. James Goss and Lou Morgan effectively created a new and original rival for the Master, and brought back two companions with close connections to him. Established throughout this set, the Master has a new, intelligent and defeatable opponent, Calantha. Performed by Alexandria Riley, Calantha is a cunning, callous opponent of her own right, but she also has considerable advantage over the Master – she is native to the culture and system that he is attempting to seize control of! The Master is not just attempting to dominate the Stagnant Protocol, he’s also quite figuratively killing time by paying a visit to some old ‘friends’, Nyssa of Traken and Jo Jones.
I believe it is quite accurate to say that as fans of Big Finish, and the expanded universe of Who in general, we are intrinsically far more concerned with the fate of returning companions more than any other new, original character or another face of Doctor’s. Integrating a classic companion into a War Master story has an innate advantage over any other.
Frankly, Nyssa and Jo are severely outclassed when facing the Master without the Doctor, and Killing Time had me on tenterhooks throughout their episodes. You may believe that given Nyssa and Jo are classic character’s with highly fleshed out and established canon that high stakes and real danger could not be established, but that could not be further from the truth. Nyssa and Jo are not the same people that travelled with the Doctor. They are both older, wiser and more mature. But they’re also more vulnerable, and less confined by the established events of canon. Ultimately, once the dust has settled, the biggest question that remains is did Killing Time go too far?
Read the full review of each episode here:
https://sonicreviewwho.wordpress.com/...
November 20, 2023
As with many of the previous releases in this series, this consists of four individually titled hour-long episodes, but is really one long story that moves between settings. The main focus, featuring in the first and last episodes, is on the Master's attempts to infiltrate the political system of a world that suffered in the Time War. Exactly why he's doing this, other than it offering some vague tactical advantage, isn't really the point of the story, which keeps the War very much in the background. Instead, it's more about his methods... which, initially, hit a significant snag as he finds himself opposed by another power-hungry schemer who understands the local political system far better than he does.
That leads to a rather choppy story as we jump through the years, following both the Master and his opponent in their slow race to the top. The middle two episodes, however, move in a different direction as the Master seeks to manipulate two of the Doctor's former companions to unwittingly do his bidding. These are the best parts of the plot arc, the first a disjointed nightmare as Jo Grant struggles to aid her ailing uncle and the second a more sedate piece as Nyssa finds her humanitarian work subverted. The latter, in particular, plays up how the superficially benevolent nature of this incarnation of the Master masks his true intentions.
A possible weakness here is that the Master is portrayed here as an outright sadist (even if he's good at masking it) rather than someone who is power-hungry and deeply callous, as he has more often been in previous stories. But it is another great performance from Jacobi, and there's the added joy of seeing him face two of the Doctor's companions. And, yes, it's another very dark piece, where the few genuinely good characters tend to come off badly against not only the Master, but his equally ruthless opponent. And, while the route to getting there includes a number of unexpected twists, the ultimate outcome is never really in much doubt.
That leads to a rather choppy story as we jump through the years, following both the Master and his opponent in their slow race to the top. The middle two episodes, however, move in a different direction as the Master seeks to manipulate two of the Doctor's former companions to unwittingly do his bidding. These are the best parts of the plot arc, the first a disjointed nightmare as Jo Grant struggles to aid her ailing uncle and the second a more sedate piece as Nyssa finds her humanitarian work subverted. The latter, in particular, plays up how the superficially benevolent nature of this incarnation of the Master masks his true intentions.
A possible weakness here is that the Master is portrayed here as an outright sadist (even if he's good at masking it) rather than someone who is power-hungry and deeply callous, as he has more often been in previous stories. But it is another great performance from Jacobi, and there's the added joy of seeing him face two of the Doctor's companions. And, yes, it's another very dark piece, where the few genuinely good characters tend to come off badly against not only the Master, but his equally ruthless opponent. And, while the route to getting there includes a number of unexpected twists, the ultimate outcome is never really in much doubt.
September 10, 2021
The Sincerest Form of Flattery:
7/10
Verdict: Recommended
This is a properly good Master story. A really nice infiltration story with fun side characters and a slow but really effective plot. Love the rivalry between the Master and Calantha as they both worm their ways into different parts of this world and tear it down in different ways. The plot was hard to predict and the events were always entertaining. This is a pretty high 7/10.
A Quiet Night:
7/10
Verdict: Recommended
Poor Jo, this story really hit her hard. The acting in this was phenomenal, Manning's desperation and confusion throughout was the main plot pusher, and that ending was heartbreaking. Jacobi was deliciously evil in this, probably the most despicable he's been so far. The side characters kept me invested and interested, and I loved the setting, a properly creepy upperclass mansion that at points gave me Chimes of Midnight vibes. The reason this isn't an 8 is because the mystery behind this was very loose, with not much to go on and it was very slow at points, with the abstractness leading to fatigue, not in an empathetic way but more of a 'tired of running in circles' type deal.
The Orphan:
6/10
Verdict: Recommended
Nyssa is very entertaining in this, and the setting is great, allowing for some claustrophobic vibes. The Master is pretty good in this, but doesn't quite reach the same level of evil as the last story. There's very little action in this and it's quite slow for the most part, but the eventual reveal of the Master's identity is definitely a high point.
Unfinished Business:
7/10
Verdict: Recommended
This has been a solid boxset, definitely the one I can recommend most for the War Master series. For this story, the first half was pretty slow, and I wasn't feeling it all that much, but there's a point where someone is found dead and past that point it's properly entertaining. I absolutely love the scene where The Master talks about torture without pain, it's seriously chilling and really reminds me why I love this character. All the characters are solid from that point onwards and it's clear that no matter how bad it looked for the lead before, everything was going exactly to plan. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next boxset.
7/10
Verdict: Recommended
This is a properly good Master story. A really nice infiltration story with fun side characters and a slow but really effective plot. Love the rivalry between the Master and Calantha as they both worm their ways into different parts of this world and tear it down in different ways. The plot was hard to predict and the events were always entertaining. This is a pretty high 7/10.
A Quiet Night:
7/10
Verdict: Recommended
Poor Jo, this story really hit her hard. The acting in this was phenomenal, Manning's desperation and confusion throughout was the main plot pusher, and that ending was heartbreaking. Jacobi was deliciously evil in this, probably the most despicable he's been so far. The side characters kept me invested and interested, and I loved the setting, a properly creepy upperclass mansion that at points gave me Chimes of Midnight vibes. The reason this isn't an 8 is because the mystery behind this was very loose, with not much to go on and it was very slow at points, with the abstractness leading to fatigue, not in an empathetic way but more of a 'tired of running in circles' type deal.
The Orphan:
6/10
Verdict: Recommended
Nyssa is very entertaining in this, and the setting is great, allowing for some claustrophobic vibes. The Master is pretty good in this, but doesn't quite reach the same level of evil as the last story. There's very little action in this and it's quite slow for the most part, but the eventual reveal of the Master's identity is definitely a high point.
Unfinished Business:
7/10
Verdict: Recommended
This has been a solid boxset, definitely the one I can recommend most for the War Master series. For this story, the first half was pretty slow, and I wasn't feeling it all that much, but there's a point where someone is found dead and past that point it's properly entertaining. I absolutely love the scene where The Master talks about torture without pain, it's seriously chilling and really reminds me why I love this character. All the characters are solid from that point onwards and it's clear that no matter how bad it looked for the lead before, everything was going exactly to plan. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next boxset.
March 28, 2024
6.1 The Sincerest Form of Flattery 4/5
This one was alright! A bit silly at times, but overall fun to see the Master on the backfoot. I think the “Stagnant Protocol” is a very hard name to parse, I had no idea it was referring to a planet/system until I looked it up.
6.2 A Quiet Night 5/5
A truly great one, showing some of the psychological damage that interacting with the Doctor’s world can do to his former companions, and the Master knowing just how to prey on that. One of my favorite War Master stories yet, with Jacobi and Manning absolutely killing it in the their roles.
6.3 The Orphan 4/5
Another tale with a companion of an early Doctor, this one has the Master wrapping a scientist around his finger. It’s really just the two of them the entire time, and while the dialogue was written and performed very well overall, I wasn’t quite as keen on the dynamic here compared to the previous one. Maybe if I knew more about the companion in question.
6.4 Unfinished Business 4.5/5
It’s the final climactic showdown between Calanthe and the Master. It’s not totally clear how he escaped the pinch she had him in partway through (although of course he was going to, I don’t think that’s any sort of spoiler) but I did end up liking the interplay between the two of them, and it’s fun to have a box set where the Master really felt evil and unstoppable.
Overall, this is definitely my favorite of the War Master box sets yet!
This one was alright! A bit silly at times, but overall fun to see the Master on the backfoot. I think the “Stagnant Protocol” is a very hard name to parse, I had no idea it was referring to a planet/system until I looked it up.
6.2 A Quiet Night 5/5
A truly great one, showing some of the psychological damage that interacting with the Doctor’s world can do to his former companions, and the Master knowing just how to prey on that. One of my favorite War Master stories yet, with Jacobi and Manning absolutely killing it in the their roles.
6.3 The Orphan 4/5
Another tale with a companion of an early Doctor, this one has the Master wrapping a scientist around his finger. It’s really just the two of them the entire time, and while the dialogue was written and performed very well overall, I wasn’t quite as keen on the dynamic here compared to the previous one. Maybe if I knew more about the companion in question.
6.4 Unfinished Business 4.5/5
It’s the final climactic showdown between Calanthe and the Master. It’s not totally clear how he escaped the pinch she had him in partway through (although of course he was going to, I don’t think that’s any sort of spoiler) but I did end up liking the interplay between the two of them, and it’s fun to have a box set where the Master really felt evil and unstoppable.
Overall, this is definitely my favorite of the War Master box sets yet!
May 27, 2024
6.1 The Sincerest Form of Flattery - A very unusual story. This rather seems positively Trumpian machinations. Lies within lies. Propaganda as the truth. It’s all a fascinating look at political intrigue (4/5).
6.2 A Quiet Night In - Jo (Grant) Jones is visiting her uncle. The one who got her that job with UNIT all those years ago. But nothing seems quite right. The house. The house keeper. The other visitor. The unexpected party that keeps disappearing. Jo is determined to get to the bottom of this, unless she looses her mind first. Unfortunately, there is an awful lot of Jo running around the house talking to herself. That stuff got old rather quick (3/5).
6.3 The Orphan - This one is dark. Really dark. When you go back and layer the history between The Master and Nyssa, things are really really nasty. And it shows when the truth settles in to take root (5/5).
6.4 Unfinished Business - The Big Finish (I just can’t resist) that brings all the element from the first chapter back into focus, and the tangents from chapters 2 & 3 fit into place nice and tidily. Good solid story, nicely done (4/5).
6.2 A Quiet Night In - Jo (Grant) Jones is visiting her uncle. The one who got her that job with UNIT all those years ago. But nothing seems quite right. The house. The house keeper. The other visitor. The unexpected party that keeps disappearing. Jo is determined to get to the bottom of this, unless she looses her mind first. Unfortunately, there is an awful lot of Jo running around the house talking to herself. That stuff got old rather quick (3/5).
6.3 The Orphan - This one is dark. Really dark. When you go back and layer the history between The Master and Nyssa, things are really really nasty. And it shows when the truth settles in to take root (5/5).
6.4 Unfinished Business - The Big Finish (I just can’t resist) that brings all the element from the first chapter back into focus, and the tangents from chapters 2 & 3 fit into place nice and tidily. Good solid story, nicely done (4/5).
June 12, 2023
I must say, I was afraid that the appearances of Jo and Nyssa would be nothing more than a gimmick for a nostalgia trip; happy to be proven wrong. Both make sense in the context of their respective episode as people with painful history involving the Master, history that allows him to exploit what he perceives as weaknesses to advance his plan, and ultimately they fit nicely in the context of the whole boxset. The Master has outdone himself one more time with an outrageous plan to control an entire system, and Derek Jacobi is having so much fun being an evil genius. Excellent plotting and a brilliantly constructed rivalry with Calantha, top notch.
December 2, 2021
I normally love the War Master boxsets, but I think this one was a bit of a jumbled mess. Jacobi is still on good form and puts in an excellent performance, and there are some nice moments here and there. But Nyssa's storyline kind of ended on a random cliffhanger, and Jo's episode was a completely irrelevant, inconclusive and wasted hour, stranded in the middle of the set.
I hope I don't sound harsh when I say my favourite thing about this set is the picture of Jacobi pulling on his gloves on the cover.
I hope I don't sound harsh when I say my favourite thing about this set is the picture of Jacobi pulling on his gloves on the cover.
May 15, 2023
Tale One 2/5
This was the first story and man this was just not it for me. It felt rather boring? I'm not sure how I could best describe this one.
Tale Two 5/5
THE MASTER IS GASLIGHTING I LOVE HIM
Tale Three 4/5
THE MASTER IS GASLIGHTING I LOVE HIM AGAIN
Tale Four 3/5
James Goss' episodes in this boxset have been rather weak but he does really improve with this one compared to the first episode. It all just came together in the end for me, altough I'm still not really sold on this whole plotline.
This was the first story and man this was just not it for me. It felt rather boring? I'm not sure how I could best describe this one.
Tale Two 5/5
THE MASTER IS GASLIGHTING I LOVE HIM
Tale Three 4/5
THE MASTER IS GASLIGHTING I LOVE HIM AGAIN
Tale Four 3/5
James Goss' episodes in this boxset have been rather weak but he does really improve with this one compared to the first episode. It all just came together in the end for me, altough I'm still not really sold on this whole plotline.
August 31, 2021
The first listen threw this was a result of 2020. I was surprised when I realized the story was written in 2019.
The 2ed thing that was notable was just how terrifying the War Master is. The Master is always evil, but this one has a leg up on all of them. He was despicable and downright horrifying, and I loved every minute of it.
The 2ed thing that was notable was just how terrifying the War Master is. The Master is always evil, but this one has a leg up on all of them. He was despicable and downright horrifying, and I loved every minute of it.
December 13, 2022
Having the likes of Jo and Nyssa go up against The War Master sounds fun, but there was something about the execution that left a bit to be desired. The plague stuff also hit too close to home, though it should be noted this boxset was in the works in the months preceding 2020. Because of this, Heart of Darkness ended up getting released before this one.
August 12, 2021
Increíble the war master es una historia completamente cruda de lo que es the master, las actuaciones son increíbles. Súper recomendable.
August 30, 2021
The master manipulates people to get and manage a plague.
December 13, 2021
Absolutely brilliant, possibly the best yet from Big Finish. Jacobi is a God.
May 12, 2025
The War Master is possibly the best range produced by Big Finish. Best characters, best writing, and constantly adapting something glimpsed momentarily in the main show into its own unique space in the Dr Who universe. The first two boxsets were phenomenal, the two afterwards relatively terrible, so after the incredible fifth set; this one really could’ve gone either way. In the end… it’s fine.
I mean the whole gimmick is we see the Master interact with 2 classic companions he had involvement with in the classic era; but the overarching plot is hardly worth much congratulation. It’s just a basic power struggle between the Master and his rival Calantha, for control over a place, with these asides about the plague to add something more. I mean it took me a lot of effort to finish the set and that’s not because it’s terrible or anything, just because there was hardly anything compelling about it. I really didn’t engage with the characters, and some of the dialogue really made me roll my eyes due to its cliche ridden nature; as well as the fact that the writing in the stories with Jo and Nyssa was so boring. I mean the one with Jo doesn’t even have any point! All it is, is the Master putting in way too much effort to get a vial, and it’s hard not realise that in any other situation he would do that and it would be one line of passing dialogue. It therefore provoked the realisation that this ‘story’ is stretched out just to give a runtime longer than three minutes to the story. The fact the last ten minutes is Jo rambling once the Master is gone is evidence of how threadbare the narrative is here. There is some brilliant stuff with the Master playing with her memories, which really does throw the audience off but it just isn’t enough to make a 105 minute long story interesting. The Nyssa one is slightly better but ironically is evocative of Terminus and is equally as boring. The Master’s plan makes a lot more sense and is justified but it’s all so dull. Even the revelation to her that he is the Master is just a bit ‘whatever’ after being hammered with boring science for 45 minutes. Both those stories were clearly cash-grabbing ideas, and really didn’t work on many levels so I was just left thinking ‘well they’re over now so hopefully the finale is better’.
Unfortunately it is not, and besides some great comedy while the Master is captured; there is not a satisfying ending. Even Rage Of The Time Lords and Anti-Genesis has superb endings despite being weak sets, but as with the rest of it; the ending is bleak, dull, and not really engaging. Derek Jacobi is incredible as ever and makes the set worth listening to, but he hardly gets much of a chance to shine as evil. Compared to his first 2 boxsets, he comes in rather tame. His power struggle with Calantha goes on way to long and even through Alexandria Riley gives a fantastic performance, I still just feel focusing on telling a more interesting story than the gimmick of old Dr Who companions would’ve helped make the set more broadly appealing. The story would be more worth a re-listen, had they just dropped that gimmick and injected more action and drama into the actual main plot. I hardly hated the set but all my minor issues with it did add up, and left me feeling disappointed with the overall release. Thankfully the lovely little thing that always gets a smile from me is that the middle eight in the War Master’s theme.
I mean the whole gimmick is we see the Master interact with 2 classic companions he had involvement with in the classic era; but the overarching plot is hardly worth much congratulation. It’s just a basic power struggle between the Master and his rival Calantha, for control over a place, with these asides about the plague to add something more. I mean it took me a lot of effort to finish the set and that’s not because it’s terrible or anything, just because there was hardly anything compelling about it. I really didn’t engage with the characters, and some of the dialogue really made me roll my eyes due to its cliche ridden nature; as well as the fact that the writing in the stories with Jo and Nyssa was so boring. I mean the one with Jo doesn’t even have any point! All it is, is the Master putting in way too much effort to get a vial, and it’s hard not realise that in any other situation he would do that and it would be one line of passing dialogue. It therefore provoked the realisation that this ‘story’ is stretched out just to give a runtime longer than three minutes to the story. The fact the last ten minutes is Jo rambling once the Master is gone is evidence of how threadbare the narrative is here. There is some brilliant stuff with the Master playing with her memories, which really does throw the audience off but it just isn’t enough to make a 105 minute long story interesting. The Nyssa one is slightly better but ironically is evocative of Terminus and is equally as boring. The Master’s plan makes a lot more sense and is justified but it’s all so dull. Even the revelation to her that he is the Master is just a bit ‘whatever’ after being hammered with boring science for 45 minutes. Both those stories were clearly cash-grabbing ideas, and really didn’t work on many levels so I was just left thinking ‘well they’re over now so hopefully the finale is better’.
Unfortunately it is not, and besides some great comedy while the Master is captured; there is not a satisfying ending. Even Rage Of The Time Lords and Anti-Genesis has superb endings despite being weak sets, but as with the rest of it; the ending is bleak, dull, and not really engaging. Derek Jacobi is incredible as ever and makes the set worth listening to, but he hardly gets much of a chance to shine as evil. Compared to his first 2 boxsets, he comes in rather tame. His power struggle with Calantha goes on way to long and even through Alexandria Riley gives a fantastic performance, I still just feel focusing on telling a more interesting story than the gimmick of old Dr Who companions would’ve helped make the set more broadly appealing. The story would be more worth a re-listen, had they just dropped that gimmick and injected more action and drama into the actual main plot. I hardly hated the set but all my minor issues with it did add up, and left me feeling disappointed with the overall release. Thankfully the lovely little thing that always gets a smile from me is that the middle eight in the War Master’s theme.
June 20, 2023
The War Master: Killing Time is an excellent boxset. It's very dark, but Derek Jacobi just shines in this set. The two bookending stories, The Sincerest Form of Flattery and Unfinished Business, see the Master arrive in the Stagnant Protocol where a Time War weapon has stopped the aging process in this section of space. Here the Master goes up against Calantha (brilliantly played by Alexandria Riley) for control of the region. This is some great political maneuvering between the Master and Calantha and it's a joy to watch their dance. As good as those two episodes are though, it's the middle two that are the darkest and most twisted as the Master, while waiting for his plans in the Stagnant Protocol to come to a boil, plays with the two companions most affected by him. The second story in the set, A Quiet Night In, sees the Master playing with Jo Jones (Katy Manning) by taking the role of her uncle (who got her the job with UNIT) and making her think she's going insane so that she'll steal something from a UNIT vault. The third story is The Orphan, which sees the Master working with Nyssa of Traken (Sarah Sutton) on curing a plague affecting the Stagnant Protocol. In amongst the science, the Master tortures Nyssa psychologically given the fact that he took everything from her (see The Keeper of Traken and Logopolis). This whole set is brilliantly written and brilliantly acting. Sir Derek Jacobi is an acting legend and gives his all to the role of The Master. It's hard to listen to at times, especially if you're familiar with Jo and Nyssa's history with the Master. A must for any Doctor Who fan.
October 17, 2025
While this was record in December of 2019, when COVID was just a faint news story of something in China, this decidedly--whether intentionally or not--predicted some of the main beats of the plague. Which I will not mention and spoil for any dear readers.
To live in this fantasy, where aristocracy gets some of its just desserts...well, it was masterful.
10/17/25 - Update: This is the most diabolical release of any sort in the Doctor Who universe. Simply lovely.
To live in this fantasy, where aristocracy gets some of its just desserts...well, it was masterful.
10/17/25 - Update: This is the most diabolical release of any sort in the Doctor Who universe. Simply lovely.
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