Big Finish: ‘The War Master: Only the Good: The Good Master’ (Doctor Who Audio)
By James Aggas
In ‘The Good Master’, the second episode of Big Finish’s‘The War Master: Only the Good’, the Master is after something on the planet Arcking. But when he starts saving lives as a doctor, is it really just another disguise, or is the Master truly beginning to change?
After the opening episode of the Master just being pure evil, we get something different with The Good Master. Here, he’s doing more than just “being nice”: he’s actually doing something helpful. He’s treating the sick and wounded. Every day, he’s saving lives as “Dr. Keller”. (Third Doctor fans are sure to love that reference. I know I did.)
It’s an interesting side that we see to the Master in this episode. Not necessarily “different”, though. He’s clearly after something, although it’s not made initially clear what. And he always enjoys a disguise, so disguising himself as an actual medical doctor this time must help. But does he really need to save lives? Or is there more to it than that? If the Master is changing, is it a natural one? Or is there more to the planet than meets the eye?
I really enjoyed the character exploration that we got in The Good Master. Especially how perfectly placed it is. You couldn’t have it as the opening of the series. I think it would’ve been too misleading, otherwise. But after the evil hijinks of Beneath the Viscoid, it’s nice that we have a depiction of the Master that’s slightly more ambiguous.
Vengeance of the Daleks
In the last episode, once again, the Master had briefly allied himself with the Daleks. Once again, he completely betrayed them by the end. Unsurprisingly, they’re not happy. They’re hardly the most forgiving of pepper pots at the best of times. So when they show up at Arking demanding that the Master be handed over to them, he’s not exactly surprised by this development.
The Daleks have a lot of impact in this episode. Even while they don’t start attacking right away, everyone’s all too aware that it’s just a matter of time. Their presence also causes the Master to speed up his plans, and quickly.
Believe it or not, this is the last episode to actually feature the Daleks in this set. Personally, I think this is definitely a wise choice. Yes, in a Time War series, the Daleks are always going to be an important part of it. The same is also true for the Time Lords. But it’s also important that the series focus on other sides of War, and not just the battles.
This is another reason why I’m glad for the choice of location. A story focusing on a medical facility that helps those who’ve been injured or affected by the War is a great idea. The fact that the Master is part of such a story instead of a Doctor helps give it a deliciously ironic twist.
Cole
Another important element of this episode is the introduction of Cole Jarnish. A young man who should have died but was saved by the Master, he starts to form a bond with him. (Well, so he believes.)
Jonny Green, who also stars in Torchwood: Aliens Among Us, is cast as a really likable guy. He really wants to do some good and help others, but he doesn’t know how. It doesn’t help that he’s hit by survivor’s guilt.
It’s interesting that, throughout the episode, the Master is keen to motivate him. Sometimes, through gentle encouragement. Other times, it’s through showing his true colours and telling Cole to obey him.
Yet by the end, Cole is all too keen to become the Master’s companion. And the Master is happy to accept. So is the Master really beginning to change? Or is this just another one of his grand schemes?
Next: 34 Actors that have been on Doctor Who