The Master’s taunting call
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
The phone rings, Benton answers, and The Master is on the other line for the Doctor.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Initially confident and relieved, but growing cautious and alert as the Doctor’s doubts and the Master’s call introduce new uncertainties. His military instincts kick in, preparing for potential new threats.
The Brigadier stands confidently in the Prison Governor’s Office, overseeing the aftermath of the missile abort. He declares the Keller Machine and the Master defeated, expressing relief and satisfaction. However, his confidence wavers slightly as the Doctor voices his doubts, and he becomes more cautious when the Master’s call disrupts the moment. He listens intently to the exchange, his demeanor shifting from assurance to alert readiness.
- • To maintain order and control within UNIT, ensuring all threats are neutralized and no further risks remain.
- • To support the Doctor while also preparing for the possibility of renewed conflict with the Master.
- • The Doctor’s instincts are often reliable, and his doubts should not be dismissed out of hand.
- • UNIT’s mission is to protect Earth at all costs, even if it means confronting the Master again.
Triumphant and mocking, relishing the opportunity to unsettle the Doctor and assert his superiority. His emotional state is one of confidence and control, using the call as a tool to regain the upper hand.
The Master’s voice, heard over the phone, is dripping with smug satisfaction as he taunts the Doctor. His tone is provocative and calculated, designed to unnerve and challenge the Doctor. The Master’s presence, even through the medium of a phone call, dominates the moment, his words carrying the weight of a direct confrontation.
- • To provoke the Doctor, forcing him into a reactive and potentially vulnerable position.
- • To assert his dominance and remind the Doctor that he is still a formidable adversary, even in defeat.
- • The Doctor’s uncertainty and loss of the dematerialization circuit are weaknesses he can exploit.
- • Psychological manipulation is a powerful tool in his ongoing battle with the Doctor.
Uneasy and anxious, masking his vulnerability with a veneer of calm professionalism. His internal conflict between confidence in his own abilities and fear of the Master’s cunning is palpable.
The Doctor stands in the Prison Governor’s Office, visibly unsettled by the events that have unfolded. He engages in a tense exchange with the Brigadier about the Master’s fate, his unease growing as he realizes he has lost the TARDIS dematerialization circuit. When the phone rings and Benton identifies the caller as the Master, the Doctor’s expression hardens, his voice steady but his posture betraying a mix of frustration and foreboding. He answers the call, his response to the Master’s taunting voice marked by a mix of defiance and wariness.
- • To confirm the Master’s status and intentions, ensuring UNIT is prepared for any further threats.
- • To regain control of the situation by addressing the Master’s taunts directly and strategically.
- • The Master is not truly defeated and will exploit any weakness or oversight.
- • His own loss of the dematerialization circuit could have dire consequences, potentially enabling the Master’s escape.
Neutral and professional, but with an underlying sense of alertness. Benton’s demeanor reflects his readiness to act on any new developments, ensuring UNIT’s operations remain smooth and effective.
Sergeant Benton answers the phone in the Prison Governor’s Office, his professional demeanor unwavering as he identifies the caller as the Master. He hands the phone to the Doctor without hesitation, his actions efficient and precise. Benton’s presence is a steadying force, grounding the tense moment with his calm professionalism.
- • To facilitate communication within UNIT, ensuring that all relevant information is relayed accurately and promptly.
- • To maintain order and professionalism in the face of unexpected disruptions, such as the Master’s call.
- • Clear and efficient communication is critical in high-stakes situations.
- • The Master’s interference is a serious matter that requires immediate attention and a coordinated response.
Guilt-ridden and sorrowful over Barnham’s death, but also deeply concerned for the Doctor’s well-being as the Master’s call introduces a new layer of tension. Her emotional state is a mix of grief and protective instinct.
Jo Grant stands quietly in the background of the Prison Governor’s Office, her expression somber as she processes the loss of Barnham. She listens to the exchange between the Doctor and the Brigadier, her empathy evident as she offers the Doctor a moment of comfort. When the phone rings and the Master’s voice is heard, she tenses, her concern for the Doctor and the situation deepening.
- • To provide emotional support to the Doctor, helping him cope with the losses and uncertainties.
- • To stay alert and ready to assist in any way she can, should the situation escalate further.
- • The Doctor is deeply affected by the events, and she needs to be there for him.
- • The Master’s interference is a dangerous escalation that requires careful handling.
Barnham is mentioned posthumously in the dialogue, his death serving as a poignant reminder of the losses incurred. His role …
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Experimental Thunderbolt Nerve Gas Missile is referenced indirectly in the dialogue as part of the aftermath of the missile abort. Though not physically present in the scene, its destruction is a critical factor in the events leading up to this moment. The missile’s role in the broader conflict is a reminder of the high stakes and the potential devastation that was narrowly averted, adding weight to the tension of the Master’s call.
The Keller Machine is mentioned posthumously in the dialogue, its destruction tied to Barnham’s sacrifice. Though not physically present, its role as a destructive force looms over the scene, a reminder of the dangers that have been faced and the losses that have been incurred. The Machine’s defeat is a bittersweet victory, overshadowed by the tragic circumstances of its destruction.
The Master’s TARDIS Dematerialisation Circuit is a critical object in this event, as its loss is revealed during the Doctor’s exchange with the Brigadier. The Doctor realizes he lost the circuit during his struggle with the Master, raising the stakes significantly. The circuit’s absence is a plot catalyst, introducing the possibility that the Master may have found it and used it to escape. This revelation shifts the dynamic of the scene, introducing a new layer of urgency and tension.
The Prison Governor’s Office Telephone serves as the medium through which the Master’s taunting call is delivered. Its ring cuts through the tense moment, drawing everyone’s attention and setting the stage for the Master’s provocative dialogue. The telephone is more than just a communication device; it is a narrative catalyst, transforming the scene from a moment of reflection to one of renewed conflict and urgency.
The UNIT Coffee Tray, placed on the desk by a soldier, serves as a symbolic gesture of normalcy amidst the chaos. Its presence contrasts sharply with the tension in the room, offering a brief respite before the Master’s call disrupts the moment. The tray and its contents are a reminder of the human elements at play, grounding the scene in the realities of UNIT’s operations and the personal stakes involved.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Prison Governor’s Office serves as the primary setting for this event, a confined space where the tension between the Doctor, the Brigadier, and the Master plays out. The office is cluttered with maps, radios, and other operational tools, reflecting UNIT’s rapid response to the crisis. The atmosphere is one of post-mission debriefing, with a mix of relief and lingering unease. The office’s role is that of a temporary command center, where decisions are made and strategies are adjusted in real-time.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
UNIT is represented in this event through the actions of the Brigadier, Benton, and the broader operational context of the Prison Governor’s Office. The organization is in a state of transition, moving from the immediate aftermath of a successful mission to the realization that new threats may still loom. UNIT’s role is to maintain order, ensure the safety of Earth, and adapt to evolving circumstances, even when those circumstances are introduced by a taunting call from the Master.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Barnham's sacrifice to disrupt the Keller Machine enables the Master to escape (beat_53ab228704531b53). As a result, the Doctor realizes during the following debrief (beat_44fd924a1ae434c7) that he lost the dematerialization circuit during the scuffle, compounding the consequences of that sacrifice."
Barnham’s Sacrifice and the Master’s Escape"Barnham's sacrifice to disrupt the Keller Machine enables the Master to escape (beat_53ab228704531b53). As a result, the Doctor realizes during the following debrief (beat_44fd924a1ae434c7) that he lost the dematerialization circuit during the scuffle, compounding the consequences of that sacrifice."
Doctor confronts Barnham’s death"Barnham's death profoundly affects Jo, who expresses guilt. The weight of Barnham's sacrifice resonates in this conversation."
Barnham’s Sacrifice and the Master’s Escape"Barnham's death profoundly affects Jo, who expresses guilt. The weight of Barnham's sacrifice resonates in this conversation."
Doctor confronts Barnham’s death"The Doctor lost the Dematerialization Circuit during Barnham’s death, resulting in the Master being able to escape in his TARDIS, allowing him to call Dr. from his TARDIS."
Master taunts Doctor from TARDISKey Dialogue
"MASTER: (OC) Put me on to the Doctor, will you?"
"DOCTOR: The Master? Yes?"
"DOCTOR: Yes, but what if it wasn’t? Supposing the Master found it?"