Summary
David Tennant’s return in theDoctor Who60th-anniversary special has led to rumors that one of his most famous adversaries will also appear.
Doctor Who has fought many Cybermanand Daleks in his time, but one of the more intriguing foes has been The Master. ADoctor Whohallmark since even before the series was rebooted in 2005, The Master returns time and again to cause chaos, and he could reappear in the upcoming special that will feature the regeneration of the 14th Doctor.
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The recent issue ofDoctor Who Magazinefeatured an easter egg for the special that seemingly indicates the first Master featured in theDoctor Whoreboot could re-emerge to stir up trouble. In the issue, art director for props Michael van Kesteren discussed the creative process for Tennant’s new sonic screwdriver. According to van Kesteren, the rotating dials on the sonic screwdriver’s base were inspired by the Master’s laser screwdriver. Though nothing has been substantiated, rumors have been swirling that Tennant’s appearance as The Doctor will coincide with John Simm’s return, which is fueled by this easter egg despite van Kesteren saying it was merely a design choice to make the screwdriver look more like a “tool.”
Simm first appeared asthe nefarious Master inDoctor Whoseason 3, episode 11. Masquerading as a professor The Doctor and his companion Martha (Freema Agyeman) were working with, he later revealed himself to be a Time Lord, just like The Doctor. After escaping the genocide in Gallifrey, The Master went in the opposite direction of The Doctor’s altruism and instead became an agent of chaos. After regenerating into Simm, The Master became Prime Minister of Britain to turn Earth into a new Gallifrey. Simm’s alleged return will be the first time he has reprised his role since season 10 when he appeared to have died. But if Tennant can return as the fan-favorite character that he is known for, the same may be said for this version of The Master.
With the Time Lord’s ability to regenerate, Simm has not been the onlyperson to play The Master. The character regenerated into a female counterpart long before The Doctor did, with Michelle Gomez in the role. The Master’s appearance in the series has always been to serve as a direct foil to the optimistic protagonist. Unlike Doctor Who, The Master dealt with the destruction of his home planet differently. In alternate circumstances, this is who The Doctor could have turned out to be if he had not focused on saving humanity.
But as this territory has been explored before with many different variations, this newDoctor Whocasting rumor feels a little tired. If characters can return at a moment’s notice, it removes the stakes of their deaths. That isn’t to say that many people will be mourning The Master, but inexplicably bringing him andTennant back toDoctor Whoseems like a calculated move for a show that has been running for a decade and a half.
Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary special will air on November 23rd, 2023.
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