Doctor Who: Why the Master was the black sheep of the UNIT family

The Master has been a major enemy in Doctor Who for many years. But in his earliest appearances in the UNIT era, he was also far more than that.

Ah, the UNIT family. For many reading this, those words will instantly bring a wave of nostalgia. But for those unaware of the term, it essentially references a major part of the Third Doctor’s era. With the Doctor stuck on Earth in his third incarnation (at least for his first three years), he decided to work for UNIT as their scientific adviser. As a result, he also made a few key friends along the way.

There was of course Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, who became one of the greatest friends the Doctor ever had. There was also Liz Shaw, a scientist, who eventually left (sadly off-screen), and Jo Grant. While not a scientist, the Third Doctor was closest to Jo than his other companions during that era.

But with UNIT being such a large organization, it’s unsurprising that of course, there were a few other faces that we got to know. There was the ever likable Sergeant Benton and the loyal (for a time, at least) Mike Yates.

But there was also one more person who was practically a member of the UNIT family. This person wasn’t a member of the organization, though. Quite the opposite, in fact, as he was a major enemy for both the Doctor and UNIT during this era. I’m talking, of course, about the Master.

Was the Master as important to the UNIT family as Jo Grant was?

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: BBC.)

The black sheep

Roger Delgado’s Master was, in many ways, a major part of the UNIT years. True, he didn’t make an appearance in Pertwee’s first season, but then again, that was true of both Jo and Mike. However, like Jo, he appeared in every story of season eight.

This was not only something that had never been done before. It’s also something that has never been done since. True, we’ve had major enemies appear multiple times in one season. And, of course, we’ve had “Big Bads”. But no other villain since has featured in every story in an entire season.

It’s also worth noting that the Master had never appeared in Doctor Who before season eight’s opening story Terror of the Autons. (And yes, that’s right: it took them eight seasons to create one of the best villains in the show’s long history!) So having him appear in every story of the same season that they introduce him in was a huge risk.

A familiar face

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Fortunately, the role of the character was cast perfectly – and I do mean perfectly – with Roger Delgado. Whereas Jon Pertwee’s Doctor was arrogant and authoritative, Delgado’s Master was incredibly charming and likable. Naturally, it made the moments when he was completely ruthless and psychopathic so much more shocking. Delgado was clearly a naturally charming man himself, which of course helped.

And there were moments when he was forced to help the Doctor. Reluctantly, of course, but he still did it. Mainly if the Earth was in danger, and he was still on it. These moments were rare, but they also helped to make the criminal mastermind much more appealing.

Also, while he appeared considerably less in later seasons, he still showed up semi-regularly, appearing in two stories in season nine, before appearing once more in season ten.

The Master was, back then, at least, a huge foe not just for the Third Doctor, but also for UNIT. He was almost as much of a recurring and familiar face as Benton or Yates. In some ways, while he wasn’t an official part of UNIT, he was the black sheep of the UNIT family.

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What are your thoughts on Roger Delgado’s Master? Do you think he was a key part of the UNIT family? Let us know in the comments below.

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