Planet Malcassairo is a planet inhabited by the last of the
human race who have begun to evolve into cannibalistic ‘Future humans’. The
last of humanity rallies around the strength of a Professor named Yana who has
promised to take them to Utopia.
Professor Yana is actually the renegade time lord, the
Master. His mind has been locked in the confines of a fob watch as has happened
to the Doctor before and for all intents and purposes is a human. In the hustle
and bustle of everything that is happening the Master is released from his
human prison and he steals the Tardis, regenerates and creates a paradox
machine so that he can destroy the universe.
John Simm is AMAZING as the Master. If the Doctor is a mad
man with a box then the Master is insanity personified. His devilish grin is
terrifying and there is actually something charming about his evil. The Master
inspires loyalty in people through a form of hypnotism, he ingrains the
drumming in his head into the minds of the people around him and they find
themselves tapping to the beat of 4 knocks. The Master has always had a history
of hypnotism throughout Doctor Who history and it is great to see a modern
twist on the concept.
This episode is probably Martha’s defining moment. She
travels around the entire world, knowing that the Doctor is in danger and can’t
help her and knowing that her family are suffering, to spread the word that the
Doctor will save them and to give instructions to the people of Earth. She
shows bravery and determination in the face of impossible odds and she also
shows an unwavering faith in the Doctor despite his decayed form.
There is something beautiful and heart breaking about the
Doctors relationship with the master and it is emphasised in this episode. The
Master is insane, driven mad by the drumming in his head, he wants the Doctor
out of his way and he wants to cause him physical and mental pain but he just
can’t bring himself to kill his old friend. The Master traps the Doctor and
uses his isomorphic Laser screwdriver to age the Doctor to his true age, as a
withered old man the Doctor is powerless to protect his friends or the universe
from his nemesis.
We know that the Master and the Doctor had been friends as
children but this deep seated care for each other is completely off key for the
renegade Master, yet the sentiment is there and the Doctor reciprocates. As far
as they know the Doctor and the Master are the last of their kind and their connection
and bond runs deep.
These episodes are a real testament to Russell T Davies and
a brilliant end to the 3rd Series. A Definite 5/5
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