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Doctor Who: Story details have been revealed for The War Master: Anti-Genesis!

By James Aggas

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(Clockwise from bottom L) – Seán Carlsen (Narvin), Derek Jacobi (The Master), Richard Clifford (Novar), Zaraah Abrahams (Kaled Corporal), Daniel Brocklebank (Yaren), Nicholas Briggs (The Daleks), Franchi Webb (Lamarius) and Vikash Bhai (Arfor).. Doctor Who: The War Master.. Image Courtesy Big Finish Productions

Story details have been revealed for the fourth series of Doctor Who spin-off The War Master. What grand scheme is the Master planning in Anti-Genesis?

So last week, Big Finish revealed some major news: following his introduction in Doctor Who Unbound audio Sympathy for the Devil, as well as his subsequent appearances in Bernice Summerfield box sets The Unbound Universe and Ruler of the Universe, Mark Gatiss’s Unbound Master will be appearing opposite Derek Jacobi in upcoming box set The War Master: Anti-Genesis!

But how? Well, the latest details that Big Finish have recently revealed on their website might provide a clue to that. Let’s break it down and see what we can work out.

"In a Time War, there is a crime that not even the Daleks would dare consider. But the Master has more than considered – and he is ready to commit…When his TARDIS returns to Gallifrey carrying his corpse, a chain of events ensues that will change established history. Old friendships will be destroyed and dark alliances formed, as the Master exploits a terrifying truth.Even for the two most powerful races, time can be rewritten."

So the opening description – as well as the title and the cover artwork – lets us know one key thing: the Master is going to try to change history in a big way. From the looks of things, it sounds like he’s going back to Genesis of the Daleks. But how? And how does it begin with his apparent “death”?

Gallifrey crossover

"4.1 From the Flames by Nicholas BriggsAfter the Master’s TARDIS returns his remains to Gallifrey, in accordance with his final wishes, an intricate plot begins to change the nature of the universe forever. But even in death the Master threatens life. And only CIA Coordinator Narvin can hope to stop him."

OK, so the first thing that leaps out: Narvin is going to have a key role in this! Definitely excited about that. I’ve written before about how Narvin is such a brilliant character, and is one of the very best original characters that Big Finish has given us. (To find out why, check out the audio spin-off series Gallifrey.) So while we don’t yet know how the War Master’s greatest scheme begins with his death, knowing that Narvin has a major role from the very beginning is an extremely good start.

"4.2 The Master’s Dalek Plan by Alan BarnesAs the Master inflitrates the Kaled scientific elite, the Time Lords seek to counter his interference. But while Narvin and President Livia try to stabilise the past, a new and horrifying future dawns in the wastelands of ancient Skaro."

Several key things with this one. Firstly, this episode’s description makes it extremely explicit that it’s connected to Genesis of the Daleks. If it’s not set during that story, then it may take place in the lead up to it from Skaro’s point of view. But what’s the Master up to?

There’s also the nice nod to the classic Dalek story The Daleks’ Master Plan with the title. It might be a little on the nose, but it certainly appeals to the Classic Series fan in me.

But perhaps the biggest detail – at least, for those who’ve been following Big Finish’s Time War audios – is the inclusion of President Livia. Like Narvin, she’s a key character in the Gallifrey audios.

The fact that she’s still President is also important, as that’s a position she loses in the first volume’s finale, establishing that this series takes place before then. (Admittedly, this isn’t exactly a surprise: the third episode of Gallifrey: Time War is a direct crossover with The War Master: Only the Good, which chronologically takes place last in the series.) So it’s interesting that for this series of The War Master, Gallifrey is involved in a much bigger way. Interesting and exciting.

Mark Gatiss returns as the Unbound Master. Is he the perfect enemy for the War Master?

(Image Courtesy Big Finish Productions.)

Master versus Master

"4.3 Shockwave by Alan BarnesWith all known history threatened, the Daleks take desperate action to preserve their established legacy. When they cross dimensions to recruit an alternative incarnation of the Master, an uneasy alliance is formed… But can either side truly trust the other?"

Ah, so this explains why the Unbound Master is involved. I’m glad to see that he’s featured in the penultimate episode, and that they didn’t just save him for the finale. I’m also glad at who recruits him and why. It’s a desperate action, especially for the Daleks. But considering just how big the Master’s scheme seems to be this time, it’s not surprising that they’ll want an ally as ruthless and dangerous as the Master. And the only Time Lord who fits that description completely is the Master himself.

Bringing him from another universe, so that there’s no paradox, gives us the perfect opportunity for a Master versus Master story. (We kind of got that in the first half of The Two Masters, where one Master was seemingly at war with his earlier self. But there was an interesting reason for that.) So this could be an interesting story. Especially as Gatiss is rather fantastic in the role, so it’s great that he’s being brought into our universe through this box set. But will he survive?

“To lose is to win…”

"4.4 He Who Wins by Nicholas BriggsThe Master has achieved an ultimate victory. But at what cost?"

Speaking of the Unbound audios, it was only when I was writing a review for The True Saviour of the Universe – the finale to the Unbound Universe arc in The New Adventures of Bernice Summerfield – that I suddenly realized what the title of this episode is referring to. I knew it sounded familiar, but it didn’t click until I was reminded of the whole expression, originally from The Five Doctors:

"To lose is to win, and he who wins shall lose."

More from Winter is Coming

Now, it actually wouldn’t be surprising for the War Master to end up “winning”. That’s something that’s been explored a few times this series, which really helps him to stand out as an incarnation. He’s one of the few Masters where we get to see him complete his plans successfully.

However, his plans can also backfire, too. Only the Good highlighted this in particular. So it wouldn’t surprise me if the same proved to be true for Anti-Genesis, especially if his scheme is as huge as it seems to be. Will we be seeing a radically different universe, free of the Time War completely? Will it be worse than what the Master has already experienced? I can’t wait to find out.

The War Master: Anti-Genesis will be released on CD and download in December.

Next. Untangling the Silence arc. dark

What sounds the most exciting to you about the next series of The War Master? The direct link to Genesis of the Daleks? The Unbound Master facing the War Master? The crossover with characters from Gallifrey? Let us know in the comments below.

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