History Recap / DoctorWhoNSS3E12TheSoundOfDrums

[[quoteright:330:[[InsultBackfire http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/themasterthumbsup_8908.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:330: "YoureInsane"]]

-> ''"That's him. He's Prime Minister. The Master is Prime Minister of Great Britain... the Master. ... And his ''wife?''"''
-->-- '''The Doctor'''

The Doctor, Martha and Jack return to 21st century Earth, using Jack's (quickly fixed) time travel watch. The Master has been on Earth for 18 months, limited by the Doctor's last-ditch block of the TARDIS controls. As for the reason he'd been living as a human: he was resurrected by the Time Lords to fight in the Time War, saw what was required of him, and ''ran the fuck away'' to the end of the universe.

It turns out the Master is actually Mr. Harold Saxon, who has been elected prime minister, and first order of business is killing his cabinet. Using his satellite network, he's blocked his own Time Lord energy from alerting the Doctor, globally replacing it with the sound of drums that he's heard ever since he was a child. (This will be very important a few series later.)

This incarnation of the Master turns out to be just as manic as Ten, combined with a real love for mocking people, dancing to catchy pop music and snogging his very hot -- and very hypnotised -- wife, Lucy. The Doctor phones him up, leading to one very [[FoeYay special]] conversation:

->'''The Master''': Doctor?
->'''The Doctor''': Master.
->'''The Master''': ''[sigh]'' I like it when you use my name.
->'''The Doctor''': You chose it. Psychiatrist's field-day.
->''[About half a minute of exposition later]''
->'''The Doctor''': I've been alone ever since. But not any more. Don't you see? All we've got is each other.
->'''The Master''': ...Are you asking me out on a ''date''?

Anyway, Saxon labels the three as fugitives and they end up on the run. Also, the TARDIS, which had been restricted by the Doctor to only travel between now and the end of time, has now been turned into a paradox machine.

Jack and Martha share a moment when they realise they're both crushing on the Doctor, though he appears to be ObliviousToLove. The Doctor also talks about an event that Gallifreyan children go through before they can enter the academy: they have to look into the Untempered Schism, which shows all of time. Apparently this [[FreudianExcuse made the Master go mad]].

Eventually the three sneak on board the ''Valiant'', holding TARDIS keys with perception filters. Here, the Master alleges to be arranging first contact with a race of aliens called the Toclafane. The Toclafane assassinate the US President (who, with the help of UNIT, has attempted to take command of the situation away from the Master), and then at the Master's command, decimate Earth's population, removing one-tenth of the human race. To some pretty catchy pop music.

The Doctor is heavily aged by the [[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS3E6TheLazarusExperiment Lazarus technology]], using [[Recap/DoctorWho2005CSTheChristmasInvasion the hand from the Sycorax fight]] that Jack used [[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS3E11Utopia the last episode]]. Martha teleports herself to earth, still holding a perception filter, stating that she will return.
----
!!Tropes featured prominently in this episode include:

* AirborneAircraftCarrier: The ''Valiant'', a homage to [[Series/CaptainScarletAndTheMysterons Cloudbase]].
* AssholeVictim: President Winters. He starts by berating Saxon (and the UK) for not following UN protocols for FirstContact, only to have the US seize control over the situation, then hypocritically order his aids to make sure ''his'' presidential seal (and not the UN logo) is being shown during the ceremony. The Master is naturally ''very'' relieved when he finally gets to order the Toclafane to [[PayEvilUntoEvil disintegrate him]].
** Similarly, because this takes place ''before'' the Master enacts his plan, Winter's death ends up being the only one that sticks after time is reversed in the next episode.
* BigBrotherIsWatching: Saxon uses all the tools of the modern security state to his advantage.
* BigStupidDoodooHead: The Doctor fuses out a security camera the Master is [[BigBrotherIsWatching using to watch him]].
-->'''The Master:''' "Ooh you... public menace! Better start running!"
* BlackComedy: Vivian Rook's death. Also, the cabinet ministers being gassed to death.
* BoardToDeath / YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: The Master uses two speakerphones with hidden nozzles to lethally gas all of his cabinet ministers, while he himself comes prepared by wearing a gas mask. It is perhaps the most impressive and also the most comedic use of this trope ever seen.
* CallBack: Jelly baby? Also, the Master enjoying the ''Series/{{Teletubbies}}'' calls back to a previous Master watching ''WesternAnimation/TheClangers''.
** Using a WeakWilled subordinate to carry out his plans was a favourite tactic of the Master in TheSeventies. ([[ContinuitySnarl Or was it the eighties?]]) Likewise, the flash of satin we see inside the Master's coat (though that's more a reflection of John Pertwee's extravagant dress sense).
** [[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS2E3SchoolReunion Nice chips.]]
** Martha's television is from [[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS2E7TheIdiotsLantern Magpie Electricals]].
* ContinuityNod: The Master did the four-drum-beat with his fingers [[Recap/DoctorWhoTVMTheTVMovie once before]], although it didn't mean anything until this episode.
* CurbStompBattle: Pretty much the entire episode is the Doctor getting his arse handed to him.
** Ironically that the next episode reveals that it was all part of the Doctor's BatmanGambit.
* DeadManWriting / VideoWill: A message from [[SacrificialLamb Vivian Rook]], the journalist killed by the Toclafane.
-->"If I haven't returned to my desk by 2200 this file will be emailed to Torchwood. Which means if you're watching this then I'm... Anyway, the Saxon files are attached."
* DeathTrap: The Master has ''finally'' become GenreSavvy -- he knows full well the Doctor will escape the {{Cliffhanger}} and the IncrediblyObviousBomb, but uses these deadly distractions to put pressure on the Doctor and his companions until they fall into the ''real'' trap.
* DistressedDude: The Doctor and Jack.
* {{Eagleland}}: US President Winters.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: The Master wasn't fond of his Cabinet's behavior betraying their parties for his. Then again, he likely didn't want them backstabbing him.
* FauxAffablyEvil
* FoeRomanceSubtext: The phone conversation between The Master and the Doctor. "Are you asking me out on a ''date''?" The way The Master ''sighs'' when he says "I love it when you say my name..."
* {{Foreshadowing}}: The Doctor offhandedly mentions that Gallifrey was only perfect to look at.
* ForTheEvulz: The Toclafane view this as an excuse to decimate the Earth. Bonus points for proper use of the word "decimate".
* TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou: The Master keeps pulling InUniverse versions on the Doctor, giving media interviews that make it clear he knows the Doctor is watching.
-->'''The Master:''' Tomorrow we take our place in the universe. Every man, woman and child. Every teacher and chemist and lorry driver and farmer. I dunno, every ''(looks directly at camera)'' ...medical student?
-->''(The Doctor, Martha and Jack look shocked. The Doctor looks behind the TV and finds an IncrediblyObviousBomb)''
* GenreBlind: Saxon's Cabinet really should have run away and never looked back from the moment he started calling them traitors.
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: The entirety of the Doctor and the Master's phone call could be described as sounding like [[FoeYay phone sex between two bitter ex-lovers]].
* GoMadFromTheRevelation: The Doctor's story about how the Master went insane after looking into the [[EldritchLocation Untempered Schism]] as a child.
** The Doctor admits that he was one of the children that "ran away" and that in some ways, he never really stopped.
* HopeSpot: When the Doctor and company found the TARDIS on the ''Valiant'', and then they went inside. They discovered that it was cannibalised to make a "Paradox Machine".
* IAlwaysWantedToSayThat: When the Time Lords meet face-to-face. "We meet at last, Doctor! Oho, I love saying that!"
* IHaveYourWife: The Master has Martha's ''entire family''...except her brother, who she manages to warn in time. He was going to show up in the next episode, but the actor wasn't available. Just imagine being Leo and finding everyone in your family except you has suddenly lived through a year of torture.
* IncrediblyObviousBomb: Seriously, the bomb on the back of Martha's TV looks like something [[WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes Wile E. Coyote would use to catch the Roadrunner]].
** Well, the Master does love his children's programmes. He's seen watching the Teletubbies at one point.
* InLoveWithYourCarnage: The Master is very impressed when he realises how the Doctor ended the Time War.
--> "What did it feel like, though? Two almighty civilisations, burning...''(breathy)'' ooh, tell me, how did that feel?"
--> "Stop it!"
--> "You must have been like '''God'''."
* InsultBackfire: The Master, upon being accused of insanity, just gives a thumbs up.
* {{Jerkass}}: Guess who?
* KickTheSonOfABitch: See RewardedAsATraitorDeserves.
* LargeHam / ChewingTheScenery: John Simm makes a determined effort to act everyone else off the screen.
* LastOfHisKind: As the President walks away the Master says "The ''last'' President of America". (The Master means "of UsefulNotes/TheUnitedStates", but he's not from around here in the first place.)
* MindControl: The Master is sending a subconscious signal broadcast over a satellite phone network. It doesn't contain complex brainwashing instructions (which would be rejected) but a simple message like "Believe in me" or "Vote for Saxon", enough to swing a crucial majority behind Saxon, and later to [[ResistanceIsFutile cow most forms of resistance]].
* MythologyGag[=/=]DiscontinuityNod: To the controversial proposed post-[[Recap/DoctorWhoTVMTheTVMovie TV Movie]] story-line. No, the Master is ''not'' the Doctor's brother.
* NewEraSpeech: "...What this country really needs - ''right now'' - is a Doctor."
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: WordOfGod is that due to the Doctor preventing "The Golden Age" of Harriet Jones, this created an irregularity in the course of history that wasn't ''supposed'' to happen. As a Time Lord, the Master naturally ''noticed'' and readily exploited this to become Prime Minister.
** Bet having a Prime Minister that only shot at hostile invading aliens on Christmas Day doesn't seem so bad ''now'', eh?!
*** [[Recap/DoctorWho2005CSTheChristmasInvasion Quite right.]] [[Recap/DoctorWho2006CSTheRunawayBride Hey, wait a second...]]
* NoHuggingNoKissing: Definitely averted with the Master shamelessly [[PetTheDog embracing]] and snogging Mrs Saxon. [[CelibateHero The Doctor seems amazed]] that the Master has a wife at all, even for political reasons. [[Recap/DoctorWhoNSS4E8SilenceInTheLibrary If only he knew...]]
* ObliviousToLove: Really, Doctor? Really?
--> '''Doctor:''' It's like when you fancy someone, and they don't even know you exist. [He rushes off to do something, leaving Martha stewing in frustration.]
--> '''Jack:''' (To Martha) You too, huh?
* OhCrap: The Doctor spends most of the episode doing this.
* OrangeBlueContrast: In the warehouse scene. The Doctor's face is 50-50 blue-orange as he starts his Gallifrey monologue.
* OverlyLongGag: The Toclafane kill a journalist who was close to unmasking Saxon's cover. He closes the door on her screams. Several seconds later, he opens it: She is still screaming. He winces and closes the door. After some more time, he opens it again and she is ''[[CrossesTheLineTwice still screaming]]''.
--> '''Freema:''' (on the commentary) That's ''so'' naughty...oh, he's ENJOYING it!
* PreemptiveDeclaration: Why is Mr Saxon wearing a gas mask in a meeting with the cabinet?
-->'''Master:''' Because of the gas.
-->'''Cabinet member:''' What gas?
-->'''Master:''' ''This'' gas.
* [[PresidentEvil Prime Minister Evil]]
* PsychopathicManChild: Not just the Master, but also the Toclafane with their little girl voices and the pleasure they take from slaughtering people in painful ways.
* PunctuatedForEmphasis: The Master would like to remind everyone of [[ExpospeakGag the imminent arrival of the percussion instruments heralding violent engagement]]. [[NoIndoorVoice At high volume levels]].
* RaceAgainstTheClock: Invoked and lampshaded by the Master.
-->'''The Master:''' Three minutes to align the black-hole converters. Counting down! I never could resist a ticking clock.
* RaceLift: This episode is notable as the first ''Series/DoctorWho'' TV story to show a black Time Lord. (The ''Magazine/DoctorWhoMagazine'' comics previously had a lengthy story arc about a black regeneration of the Master, and ''AudioPlay/BigFinishDoctorWho'' featured a black regeneration of Rassilon.) The concept wouldn't be discussed until [[Recap/TheSarahJaneAdventuresS4E5E6DeathOfTheDoctor "Death of the Doctor"]], though, in which the Doctor confirms that he can be "anything".
* RealPersonCameo: Sharon Osborne. Ann Widdecombe. And more.
* RewardedAsATraitorDeserves: Invoked (though obviously not justified) by the Master before gassing his Cabinet:
-->As soon as you saw the vote swinging ''my'' way, you abandoned your parties and you jumped on the Saxon bandwagon! So ''this'' is your reward... [Dons gas mask.]
* SayMyName: He likes it when you do.
* SceneryPorn: Gallifrey is given a big CGI scene.
* SharpDressedMan: We see a flash of red satin inside the Master's coat.
* ShoutOut: The Toclafane saying [[LordOfTheRings "Master is our friend!"]] when they find themselves dealing with President Winters instead of the Master.
** The Doctor manages to sonic Jack's watch into operational state, but sending them aboard a US battleship leaves them all rather messed up.
* SignificantAnagram: Mister Saxon = Master No. Six [[note]]numbering Anthony Ainley's Master as the second incarnation, and counting Gordon Tipple's Master that we only saw for a few seconds[[/note]]
* StrawmanPolitical: Winters.
* SoundOnlyDeath: Vivian Rook. Played for laughs - see OverlyLongGag.
* SoundtrackDissonance: The Master dances to pop music [[WhileRomeBurns as the Toclafane descend]] to exterminate 1/10th of the world's population.
* TakeThat: Some elements of the Master's fictitious backstory parody the actual life of politician, writer, compulsive CV-padder and perjurer Jeffrey Archer.
* TakeThatKiss: The Master blows one of these at the Doctor.
* TeleportationSickness: Using the vortex manipulator doesn't look like fun.
* TerribleTicking
* TooDumbToLive: Winters turns into a blubbering, outclassed idiot when the Toclafane show up. What follows is, well, you know.
* VillainBall: Clutched with a glee not seen on the series since the last days of Ainley, and if you think he's hamming it up here, check the next episode.
* WeComeInPeace
* WhamLine: "Every, I dunno, medical student?" ''That's'' when Martha notices the IncrediblyObviousBomb behind her TV.
* WickedCultured:
** Decimation is used as properly defined.
** Also a [[ContinuityNod reference]] to the Master's [[Recap/DoctorWhoTVMTheTVMovie little known]] [[GrammarNazi obsession with proper grammar]].
* TheXOfY
* YouKeepUsingThatWord: Averted, the word "decimate" is used to mean "reduce by one-tenth."
** Also a StealthPun--the earth's population is reduced by one-tenth; likewise, the cast is reduced ''by one [[Creator/DavidTennant Tenth]]''.
* YouWatchTooMuchX:
-->'''Martha:''' I thought you were gonna say he was [[DevelopmentGag your secret brother or something]].\\
'''The Doctor:''' You've been watching too much TV.
* YoureInsane: [[InsultBackfire TWO THUMBS UP!]]
----

Jack and Martha share a moment when they realise they're both crushing on a Doctor who's ObliviousToLove. The Doctor also talks about an event that Gallifreyan children go through before they can enter the academy: they have to look into the Untempered Schism, which shows all of time. Apparently this [[FreudianExcuse made the Master go mad]].

Eventually the three sneak on board the ''Valiant'', holding TARDIS keys with perception filters. Here, the Master alleges to be arranging first contact with a race of aliens called the Toclafane. The Toclafane assassinate the US President (who, with the help of UNIT, has attempted to take command of the situation away from the Master), and then at the Master's command, ''literally'' decimate Earth's population. To some pretty catchy pop music.

** Using a WeakWilled subordinate to carry out his plans was a favourite tactic of TheSeventies Master. Likewise the flash of satin we see inside the Master's coat (though that's more a reflection of John Pertwee's extravagant dress sense).

* CurbStompBattle: Pretty much the entire episode is the Doctor getting his ass handed to him.

* SignificantAnagram: Mister Saxon = Master No. Six

* YouKeepUsingThatWord: Averted, the word "decimate" is indeed properly used to mean "reduce by one-tenth."
** Also a StealthPun--the earth's population is reduced by one-tenth; likewise, the cast is reduced ''by one Tenth''.

-->'''Martha:''' I thought you were gonna say he was [[MythologyGag your secret brother or something]].\\

* AssholeVictim: President Winters. He starts by berating Saxon (and the UK) for not following UN protocols for FirstContact, only to have the US seize control over the situation, then hypocritically order his aids to make sure ''his'' presidential seal (and not the UN logo) is being shown during the ceremony. The Master is naturally ''very'' relieved when he finally gets to order the Toclafane to [[PayEvilUntoEvil disintegrate him]].
** Similarly, because this takes place ''before'' the Master enacts his plan, Winter's death ends up being the only one that sticks after time is reversed in the next episode.

* CallBack: Jelly baby? Also, the Master enjoying the ''Series/{{Teletubbies}}'' calls back to a previous Master watching ''Series/TheClangers''.

* NewEraSpeech

Eventually the three sneak on board the ''Valiant'', holding TARDIS keys with perception filters. Here, the Master alleges to be encountering first contact with a race of aliens called the Toclafane. The Toclafane assassinate the US President (who, with the help of UNIT, has attempted to take command of this first contact away from the Master), and then at the Master's command, ''literally'' decimate Earth's population. To some pretty catchy pop music.

* TakeThat: Some elements of the Master's fictitious backstory parodies the actual life of politician, writer, compulsive CV-padder and perjurer Jeffrey Archer.

** The Doctor manages to sonic Jack's watch into operational state, but sending them aboard a US battleship leaves them all rather messed up. [[Film/ThePhiladelphiaExperiment That happens a lot with US battleships, doesn't it?]]

It turns out the Master is actually Mr Saxon, who has been elected prime minister, and first order of business is killing his cabinet. Using his satellite network, he's blocked his own Time Lord energy from alerting the Doctor, globally replacing it with the sound of drums that he's heard ever since he was a child. (This will be very important a few series later.)

->'''The Master''': ... Are you asking me out on a ''date''?

!Tropes featured prominently in this episode include:

* MythologyGag: No, the Master is ''not'' the Doctor's brother.

* YoureInsane
** Leading to the biggest visual demonstration of InsultBackfire.

* SoundOnlyDeath: Played for laughs - see OverlyLongGag.

* WickedCultured: Decimation, as properly defined.

** Well, the Master does love his children's programmes...

* CallBack: Jelly baby? Also, the Master enjoying the ''{{Teletubbies}}'' calls back to a previous Master watching ''TheClangers''.

-->'''Master:''' "Ooh you... public menace!"
* BoardToDeath / YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: The Master uses two speakerphones with hidden nozzles to lethally gas all of his cabinet ministers, while he himself comes prepared by wearing a gas mask.

-->'''PM Saxon:''' Tomorrow we take our place in the universe. Every man, woman and child. Every teacher and chemist and lorry driver and farmer. I dunno, every ''(looks directly at camera)'' ...medical student?

* SoundOnlyDeath: Played for laughs.
--> '''Freema:''' (on the commentary) That's ''so'' naughty...oh, he's ENJOYING it!