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The War Master #9
The War Master: Solitary Confinement
The Drane Institute is home to the galaxy’s most criminally deranged. Patients are kept locked away for the protection of themselves and the rest of the universe... with their most dangerous kept in active isolation.
The Master is one such convalescent. He has no memory of how he came to be there. All he knows for certain is he should be: his presence is part of a greater design. Confiding in the institute’s staff, the Master shares stories of love and loss, madness and glory… but there’s still a final twist in the tale: one the Master’s waiting to share with his enemies.
9.1 The Walls of Absence by James Goss
The Code Purgers of Chift have made a fortune cleaning up the galaxy’s code: subroutines assessed, and errors repaired. So when the Master loses his mind, quite literally, there is only one place he can turn.
9.2 The Long Despair by Tim Foley
On the ocean world of Mehr Kee, the Master enlists the help of a captain to voyage across its seas. Their target: a beacon on a distant isle, shining across the waves. But what deadly trials await?
9.3 The Life and Loves of Mr Alexander Bennett by Alfie Shaw
Alexander Bennett lives a normal life. He has a job, a girlfriend, a plan for the future… and a new home assistant — Maisu — that offers all the advice he could ever need... whether he wants it or not.
9.4 The Kicker by Trevor Baxendale
When a member of the Temporal Inquisition arrives at the Crane Institute, they discover more to the Master’s madness than meets the eye — and his secrets now threaten them all.
The Master is one such convalescent. He has no memory of how he came to be there. All he knows for certain is he should be: his presence is part of a greater design. Confiding in the institute’s staff, the Master shares stories of love and loss, madness and glory… but there’s still a final twist in the tale: one the Master’s waiting to share with his enemies.
9.1 The Walls of Absence by James Goss
The Code Purgers of Chift have made a fortune cleaning up the galaxy’s code: subroutines assessed, and errors repaired. So when the Master loses his mind, quite literally, there is only one place he can turn.
9.2 The Long Despair by Tim Foley
On the ocean world of Mehr Kee, the Master enlists the help of a captain to voyage across its seas. Their target: a beacon on a distant isle, shining across the waves. But what deadly trials await?
9.3 The Life and Loves of Mr Alexander Bennett by Alfie Shaw
Alexander Bennett lives a normal life. He has a job, a girlfriend, a plan for the future… and a new home assistant — Maisu — that offers all the advice he could ever need... whether he wants it or not.
9.4 The Kicker by Trevor Baxendale
When a member of the Temporal Inquisition arrives at the Crane Institute, they discover more to the Master’s madness than meets the eye — and his secrets now threaten them all.
- GenresDoctor Who
Audio CD
First published June 6, 2023
22 people want to read
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 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 9, 2024
9.1 The Walls of Absence - Almost, but not quite, just two people getting to know one another (there are a couple of incidental characters) and testing the boundaries of their relationship. Fascinating. (4/5)
9.2 The Long Despair - Another really good one. Brilliant story-within-a-story that again focuses on two characters in each layer, and a few incidental characters to add some extra texture. (4/5)
9.3 The Life and Loves of Mr Alexander Bennett - If I thought the other stories in this set were good, this is definitely even better. Much, much better. Utterly creepy and certainly believable. (5/5)
9.4 The Kicker - This is good, but I found it a little disappointing. Some of the twists in this one were a bit cliche and others seemed to come out of absolutely no where. (3/5)
9.2 The Long Despair - Another really good one. Brilliant story-within-a-story that again focuses on two characters in each layer, and a few incidental characters to add some extra texture. (4/5)
9.3 The Life and Loves of Mr Alexander Bennett - If I thought the other stories in this set were good, this is definitely even better. Much, much better. Utterly creepy and certainly believable. (5/5)
9.4 The Kicker - This is good, but I found it a little disappointing. Some of the twists in this one were a bit cliche and others seemed to come out of absolutely no where. (3/5)
July 15, 2023
Legitimately the most diabolical set of stories Big Finish have ever done. Made me feel monstrous for rooting for The War Master.
July 24, 2025
Four stories featuring the Master, with a common framing device, but otherwise unconnected, although three of the four are about insanity in one form or another.
The Walls of Absence – The first story sees the Master suffering from a neurological condition that, among things, has erased his memory of who he is. It’s fairly sedate, with walks in the park and trips to art galleries as part of his treatment, but it is well done with strong performances from the two leads. The nuance of Jacobi’s Master comes through here, even though hints of his true nature come through from time to time. The tension comes from wondering what will happen when he recovers and, indeed, whether or not he might be faking it all for some ulterior purpose. The Time War is also a constant menace in the background, off-screen, but adding to the atmosphere as the decay of the world in which he is seeking shelter reflects the Master’s deterioration. 4.5 stars.
The Long Despair – Next, we’re off to a water planet where the Master hires a boat to take him to a distant and mysterious island. The atmosphere is effective (even if the setting is a little implausible from a scientific point of view) adding something to a plot that, for the most part, is formulaic. Having said which, it’s not a formula that Doctor Who has used especially often, consisting of a sea voyage in which the Master and the ship’s solitary pilot must face a series of challenges to reach their goal. There’s more narration than usual, but there is some nice imagery, particularly for the final challenge. And, while the ending doesn’t exactly come out of left field, it’s not obvious which way the story is going to go until it arrives. 4 stars.
The Life and Loves of Mr Alexander Bennett – As is often the case in these collections, one of the stories is told from the point of view of another character coming across the Master and usually coming off worse. Here, it’s an IT worker stuck in a dead-end job developing his planet’s equivalent of Siri/Alexa. His initially dull and insignificant life begins to unravel as the Master manipulates things from behind the scenes. There’s a fair degree of ambiguity as to exactly how he’s doing some of this, although, at least until the final reveal, the mystery is more around why he’s bothering. It’s a dark tale of personal disaster, the sort of thing that audio can do well, and of the sinister manipulation under the guise of helpfulness that this Master excels at. As well, of course, as using Siri/Alexa as an instrument of horror… 5 stars.
The Kicker – The framing device for the collection consists of the Master being locked up in a mental hospital and recounting tales of his past life. This becomes the primary narrative in the final story as investigators arrive to try to determine whether he is who he claims to be. It’s a tale of mind games, full of twists and turns as the Master tries to outmanoeuvre his interviewers, his captors continue to insist he’s delusional about his identity, and we deal with the question of why he’s here in the first place. 4.5 stars.
The Walls of Absence – The first story sees the Master suffering from a neurological condition that, among things, has erased his memory of who he is. It’s fairly sedate, with walks in the park and trips to art galleries as part of his treatment, but it is well done with strong performances from the two leads. The nuance of Jacobi’s Master comes through here, even though hints of his true nature come through from time to time. The tension comes from wondering what will happen when he recovers and, indeed, whether or not he might be faking it all for some ulterior purpose. The Time War is also a constant menace in the background, off-screen, but adding to the atmosphere as the decay of the world in which he is seeking shelter reflects the Master’s deterioration. 4.5 stars.
The Long Despair – Next, we’re off to a water planet where the Master hires a boat to take him to a distant and mysterious island. The atmosphere is effective (even if the setting is a little implausible from a scientific point of view) adding something to a plot that, for the most part, is formulaic. Having said which, it’s not a formula that Doctor Who has used especially often, consisting of a sea voyage in which the Master and the ship’s solitary pilot must face a series of challenges to reach their goal. There’s more narration than usual, but there is some nice imagery, particularly for the final challenge. And, while the ending doesn’t exactly come out of left field, it’s not obvious which way the story is going to go until it arrives. 4 stars.
The Life and Loves of Mr Alexander Bennett – As is often the case in these collections, one of the stories is told from the point of view of another character coming across the Master and usually coming off worse. Here, it’s an IT worker stuck in a dead-end job developing his planet’s equivalent of Siri/Alexa. His initially dull and insignificant life begins to unravel as the Master manipulates things from behind the scenes. There’s a fair degree of ambiguity as to exactly how he’s doing some of this, although, at least until the final reveal, the mystery is more around why he’s bothering. It’s a dark tale of personal disaster, the sort of thing that audio can do well, and of the sinister manipulation under the guise of helpfulness that this Master excels at. As well, of course, as using Siri/Alexa as an instrument of horror… 5 stars.
The Kicker – The framing device for the collection consists of the Master being locked up in a mental hospital and recounting tales of his past life. This becomes the primary narrative in the final story as investigators arrive to try to determine whether he is who he claims to be. It’s a tale of mind games, full of twists and turns as the Master tries to outmanoeuvre his interviewers, his captors continue to insist he’s delusional about his identity, and we deal with the question of why he’s here in the first place. 4.5 stars.
June 8, 2023
It feels like forever since the last War Master set came out, so seeing this release yesterday had me so excited and I almost immediately brought it upon release. I will say however a certain author in this set will probably be mentioned only vaguely due to their very disturbing views.
The Walls of Absence:
The Master is slowly dying, can't quite remember who he is and something inside his head is intent on murdering him. Mendrix is the only person who can save him and possibly her homeworld where her own people don't want to succumb to the Time War. But what if she falls in love with him, what happens then?
James Goss has written a brilliant opening story to this set, it's a love story with a sense of terrifying foreboding and a shocking twist. It's surprisingly beautiful, The Master and Mendrix's relationship with each other feels very genuine at points, but maybe not necessarily in the way one of them perceives it. 9/10
The Long Despair:
Mehr Kee was once a beautiful ocean world, but ever since the temporal beacon arrived it's been a curse to the inhabitants and its environment. The Master needs the help of a naive and grieving Captain to get to the island, the beacon belongs to and only then can he get back his Tardis.
Tim Foley has written a fun adventure story across the seas with an interesting interplay between The Master and The Captain, all leading up to a very typically dark but satisfying ending. Nothing amazing overall, but it's a fun one. 8/10
The Life and Loves of Mr. Alexander Bennett:
Alexander lives a normal and happy life with his beloved girlfriend. But when a home system by the name of Maisu is implemented, his life is about to crumble into a million pieces for The Master has a scheme, and to put it into action, he has to destroy a man's life.
Alfie Shaw has written what I can only describe as a Black Mirror episode for The War Master range, this is a disturbing, twisted, and emotionally draining episode that will make you fear devices like Alexa. This is truly a brilliant story with some really disturbing scenes. 10/10
The Kicker:
The Master is inside an asylum, but nobody believes he's The Master. However, The Daleks have sent out a Time Inquisitor who believes that he might very well be who he says he is. But what has The Master been up to?
This was a really solid finale to this set, that ties up the overarching storyline of The Master being in an asylum brilliantly. It's a shame knowing who the writer of this story is considering their views because this is a truly fantastic story with a shocking twist at the end. 9/10
Overall: 36/40
The Walls of Absence:
The Master is slowly dying, can't quite remember who he is and something inside his head is intent on murdering him. Mendrix is the only person who can save him and possibly her homeworld where her own people don't want to succumb to the Time War. But what if she falls in love with him, what happens then?
James Goss has written a brilliant opening story to this set, it's a love story with a sense of terrifying foreboding and a shocking twist. It's surprisingly beautiful, The Master and Mendrix's relationship with each other feels very genuine at points, but maybe not necessarily in the way one of them perceives it. 9/10
The Long Despair:
Mehr Kee was once a beautiful ocean world, but ever since the temporal beacon arrived it's been a curse to the inhabitants and its environment. The Master needs the help of a naive and grieving Captain to get to the island, the beacon belongs to and only then can he get back his Tardis.
Tim Foley has written a fun adventure story across the seas with an interesting interplay between The Master and The Captain, all leading up to a very typically dark but satisfying ending. Nothing amazing overall, but it's a fun one. 8/10
The Life and Loves of Mr. Alexander Bennett:
Alexander lives a normal and happy life with his beloved girlfriend. But when a home system by the name of Maisu is implemented, his life is about to crumble into a million pieces for The Master has a scheme, and to put it into action, he has to destroy a man's life.
Alfie Shaw has written what I can only describe as a Black Mirror episode for The War Master range, this is a disturbing, twisted, and emotionally draining episode that will make you fear devices like Alexa. This is truly a brilliant story with some really disturbing scenes. 10/10
The Kicker:
The Master is inside an asylum, but nobody believes he's The Master. However, The Daleks have sent out a Time Inquisitor who believes that he might very well be who he says he is. But what has The Master been up to?
This was a really solid finale to this set, that ties up the overarching storyline of The Master being in an asylum brilliantly. It's a shame knowing who the writer of this story is considering their views because this is a truly fantastic story with a shocking twist at the end. 9/10
Overall: 36/40
June 7, 2023
Since the moment I started listening to the series in December 2020, "The War Master" has quickly become my favorite Big Finish range, and quite possibly my favorite piece of Doctor Who related media period. I've looked forward to each upcoming release with huge amounts of anticipation and this was no exception. And as I'm now happy to report, this set did not disappoint! While it doesn't all come together quite as well as my favorite sets in the range, this was still an awesome collection of tales that give us a look at the deliciously demented exploits of the Master during the Time War.
Tim Foley's "The Long Despair" was by FAR my favorite entry in the set. It manages to weave the Time War into the plot in a very creative (and absolutely horrific) way, and also gives us an interesting glimpse at the Master's twisted psyche and the bizarre way in which he sees the world. Alfie Shaw's story is also fantastic and full of pitch black humor, with a great central concept and a fun old-school Master moment at the end for good measure. The other two stories were really good as well (I especially liked some of the character moments in James Goss's story) but they didn't quite connect with me as much on first listen. Also, while the framing device of the Master recounting tales of his exploits while trapped in an asylum worked for me for the most part, I did think the resolution/justification for that situation in the final story was a little underwhelming/underdeveloped.
And this of course goes without saying, but Derek Jacobi gives an INCREDIBLE performance as the Master throughout this entire set. He's just dripping with malice in every scene, and he's an absolute joy to listen to. Siân Phillips as Mendrix, Jacob Dudman as Mr Bennett, and Jason Flemyng as The Captain all give great performances as well.
So on the whole I'd say this set managed to keep up the consistently high quality of the War Master range, and I had an absolute BLAST listening to it. And now begins the six month wait for the next release in December!
Tim Foley's "The Long Despair" was by FAR my favorite entry in the set. It manages to weave the Time War into the plot in a very creative (and absolutely horrific) way, and also gives us an interesting glimpse at the Master's twisted psyche and the bizarre way in which he sees the world. Alfie Shaw's story is also fantastic and full of pitch black humor, with a great central concept and a fun old-school Master moment at the end for good measure. The other two stories were really good as well (I especially liked some of the character moments in James Goss's story) but they didn't quite connect with me as much on first listen. Also, while the framing device of the Master recounting tales of his exploits while trapped in an asylum worked for me for the most part, I did think the resolution/justification for that situation in the final story was a little underwhelming/underdeveloped.
And this of course goes without saying, but Derek Jacobi gives an INCREDIBLE performance as the Master throughout this entire set. He's just dripping with malice in every scene, and he's an absolute joy to listen to. Siân Phillips as Mendrix, Jacob Dudman as Mr Bennett, and Jason Flemyng as The Captain all give great performances as well.
So on the whole I'd say this set managed to keep up the consistently high quality of the War Master range, and I had an absolute BLAST listening to it. And now begins the six month wait for the next release in December!
October 21, 2023
Another wonderful outing for Derek Jacobi!
One small caveat- these stories do not re-invent the wheel and the Master does what he does best (and has done before).
Well, what else should we expect?
It is not as if the Master suddenly became a philanthropist!
So here we see the Master again manipulate, murder and threaten his way through 4 different adventures.
He is breaking hearts, he is destroying souls and minds and whole planets to get what he wants.
For me, the most clever story was the one where the Master poses as a malevolent AI, pretty much an evil Alexa. These household AIs were always massively creepy to me, so the Master going to town in abusing such an AI is only fitting.
The first story was the most heart breaking and the Master had the best chemistry with the retired scientist (since Derek Jacobi and her are friends), but it is a story that had been done in a similar way before.
The performances, especially of the lead, are amazing. As usual, Derek Jacobi is captivating and threatening and scary and malevolent and he can also be nice and friendly when it suits the moment.
So this release is great, and continues to be part of a range that is above the rest- if you can forgive that is it not exactly original anymore. The Master has not changed his MO, he continues to do what he does (and likes) best- creating utter mayhem and suffering.
One small caveat- these stories do not re-invent the wheel and the Master does what he does best (and has done before).
Well, what else should we expect?
It is not as if the Master suddenly became a philanthropist!
So here we see the Master again manipulate, murder and threaten his way through 4 different adventures.
He is breaking hearts, he is destroying souls and minds and whole planets to get what he wants.
For me, the most clever story was the one where the Master poses as a malevolent AI, pretty much an evil Alexa. These household AIs were always massively creepy to me, so the Master going to town in abusing such an AI is only fitting.
The first story was the most heart breaking and the Master had the best chemistry with the retired scientist (since Derek Jacobi and her are friends), but it is a story that had been done in a similar way before.
The performances, especially of the lead, are amazing. As usual, Derek Jacobi is captivating and threatening and scary and malevolent and he can also be nice and friendly when it suits the moment.
So this release is great, and continues to be part of a range that is above the rest- if you can forgive that is it not exactly original anymore. The Master has not changed his MO, he continues to do what he does (and likes) best- creating utter mayhem and suffering.
May 5, 2024
4.5/5, rounding up to 5/5
The Walls of Absence by James Goss - 4.5/5
The Code Purgers of Chift have made a fortune cleaning up the galaxy’s code: subroutines assessed, and errors repaired. So when the Master loses his mind, quite literally, there is only one place he can turn.
A really lovely pairing of actors here, and seeing a gentle side of the Master as he’s lost his memories, like his time as Yana, almost makes you root for him in a different way, for him to enjoy a happy life… but then of course I always root for Jacobi’s Master no matter what. The only thing that’s too bad about
9.2 The Long Despair by Tim Foley
On the ocean world of Mehr Kee, the Master enlists the help of a captain to voyage across its seas. Their target: a beacon on a distant isle, shining across the waves. But what deadly trials await?<
9.3 The Life and Loves of Mr Alexander Bennett by Alfie Shaw
Alexander Bennett lives a normal life. He has a job, a girlfriend, a plan for the future... and a new home assistant - Maisu - that offers all the advice he could ever need... whether he wants it or not.
9.4 The Kicker by Trevor Baxendale
When a member of the Temporal Inquisition arrives at the Crane Institute, they discover more to the Master’s madness than meets the eye - and his secrets now threaten them all.
The Walls of Absence by James Goss - 4.5/5
The Code Purgers of Chift have made a fortune cleaning up the galaxy’s code: subroutines assessed, and errors repaired. So when the Master loses his mind, quite literally, there is only one place he can turn.
A really lovely pairing of actors here, and seeing a gentle side of the Master as he’s lost his memories, like his time as Yana, almost makes you root for him in a different way, for him to enjoy a happy life… but then of course I always root for Jacobi’s Master no matter what. The only thing that’s too bad about
9.2 The Long Despair by Tim Foley
On the ocean world of Mehr Kee, the Master enlists the help of a captain to voyage across its seas. Their target: a beacon on a distant isle, shining across the waves. But what deadly trials await?<
9.3 The Life and Loves of Mr Alexander Bennett by Alfie Shaw
Alexander Bennett lives a normal life. He has a job, a girlfriend, a plan for the future... and a new home assistant - Maisu - that offers all the advice he could ever need... whether he wants it or not.
9.4 The Kicker by Trevor Baxendale
When a member of the Temporal Inquisition arrives at the Crane Institute, they discover more to the Master’s madness than meets the eye - and his secrets now threaten them all.
June 11, 2023
This set is very much the War Master range at its average. Each is a compelling listen, especially The Life and Love of Mr Alexander Bennett, but I just don’t feel there’s anything especially memorable here. Jacobi is here on fine form as always and the supporting actors match him. The ending has a lot of twists; one of which is a great rug-pull moment and the others I felt could have been setup more, perhaps in the framing storyline which is otherwise neither here nor here.
I’m enjoying this range as it continues, but I can’t help but find its lost some kind of spark the initial two sets had.
I’m enjoying this range as it continues, but I can’t help but find its lost some kind of spark the initial two sets had.
July 8, 2023
Another excellent boxset for the War Master range. Thoroughly enjoyed all four stories, but this time the highlights for me were “The Walls of Absence” and “The Life and Loved of Alexander Bennett.”
In “Bennett” Jacob Dudman plays the central character and he delivers a stellar performance. I’ve enjoyed Dudman’s take on the Eleventh Doctor in previous Big Finish stories, and it was refreshing to see him do something a little different. This particular story functions as a takedown of home/surveillance assistance devices and Amazon Echo with Jacobi’s War Master as the voice of Alexa basically. Great story, with a twist you won’t see coming. Highly recommend.
In “Bennett” Jacob Dudman plays the central character and he delivers a stellar performance. I’ve enjoyed Dudman’s take on the Eleventh Doctor in previous Big Finish stories, and it was refreshing to see him do something a little different. This particular story functions as a takedown of home/surveillance assistance devices and Amazon Echo with Jacobi’s War Master as the voice of Alexa basically. Great story, with a twist you won’t see coming. Highly recommend.
June 7, 2023
Interesting concept, though it didn't keep me quite as interested as some of the others.
June 25, 2023
These War Master sets are always so good. Much darker than your usual Doctor Who.
October 26, 2023
The Walls of Absence *****
The Long Despair****
The Life and Loves of Mr Alexander Bennett *****
The Kicker ****
The Long Despair****
The Life and Loves of Mr Alexander Bennett *****
The Kicker ****
November 10, 2023
I liked a lot of the character moments in James Goss’s story, and Alfie Shaw’s story is also quite good. It’s basically about how the Master ruins every relationship that this one man has. The Long Despair is the best story though, because it has a demented and horrifying scheme at the end, and we get a look into the Masters demented and twisted psyche. Though I give the collection only four stars because the final story didn’t make much sense to me. The whole time the Master we were following throughout that story was actually a clone, and the real Master comes in and kills the clone, and there’s a real TARDIS, and a fake TARDIS, and a TARDIS that keeps disappearing…in other words, I was struggling to decipher the plot. But it was still an enjoyable listen. It’s always wonderful to follow The War Master’s demented exploits!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews