Last of the Time Lords (TV story): Difference between revisions
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When Docherty asks if the rumours about Martha are true, Martha reveals a gun developed by Torchwood and UNIT, purportedly able to kill a Time Lord and prevent the ensuing regeneration. Martha has retrieved three of the four chemicals needed for the gun from their hiding places around the world, and has returned to London to find the fourth. After Martha and Thomas depart for a shelter in Bexley to hide, Docherty (who is desperate for information regarding her missing son) reveals their whereabouts to the Master. | When Docherty asks if the rumours about Martha are true, Martha reveals a gun developed by Torchwood and UNIT, purportedly able to kill a Time Lord and prevent the ensuing regeneration. Martha has retrieved three of the four chemicals needed for the gun from their hiding places around the world, and has returned to London to find the fourth. After Martha and Thomas depart for a shelter in Bexley to hide, Docherty (who is desperate for information regarding her missing son) reveals their whereabouts to the Master. | ||
The Master thus comes to Earth's surface to capture Martha, killing Tom, destroying the special gun and taking her back to the Valiant. He intends to execute her before the Doctor and her family, at the moment his fleet is launched. As the clock counts down, Martha reveals the real reason she travelled the globe. It wasn't for a fictional anti-regeneration gun, or to fight back, but merely to talk. She told everyone about the Doctor; specifically, she told everyone to think of the Doctor at the same time the Master plans to launch his fleet. Docherty's betrayal was expected, engineered by Martha so that she would be brought on board the Valiant to rejoin the Doctor. Combined with the Master's Archangel Satellite network, which the Doctor has had an entire year to get in tune with, this has the effect of charging the Doctor with the combined psychic energy of the people of Earth. This enables the Doctor to restore his youthful physiognomy and end the Master's control. | The Master thus comes to Earth's surface to capture Martha, killing Tom, destroying the special gun and taking her back to the Valiant. He intends to execute her before the Doctor and her family, at the moment his fleet is launched. As the clock counts down, Martha reveals the real reason she travelled the globe. It wasn't for a fictional anti-regeneration gun, or to fight back, but merely to talk. She told everyone about the Doctor; specifically, she told everyone to think of the Doctor at the same time the Master plans to launch his fleet. Docherty's betrayal was expected, engineered by Martha so that she would be brought on board the Valiant to rejoin the Doctor. Combined with the Master's Archangel Satellite network, which the Doctor has had an entire year to get in tune with, this has the effect of charging the Doctor with the combined psychic energy of the people of Earth. This enables the Doctor to restore his youthful physiognomy and end the Master's control. The combined psychic energy gives the Doctor great power and he is not only able to restore himself with it, but it shields him and temporarily grants him telekinesis with which he removes the Master's laser screwdriver from his hand. As the Master cowers against a wall, the Doctor says the words the Master was terrified to hear: "I forgive you". | ||
With the Master out of the picture, Jack rounds up some soldiers to destroy the paradox machine, but is delayed by the Toclafane. The Master, using Jack's vortex manipulator, teleports himself and the Doctor to Earth, threatening to detonate his fleet and take the Earth with it. The Doctor knows that the Master would never kill himself, and manages to teleport both himself and the Master back to the Valiant just as Jack destroys the paradox machine; rewinding time to just after the US President is killed and just before the Toclafane arrive. All those on the Valiant remember the events due to being at "the eye of the storm," but nobody else will know of the Master's reign of terror in "the year that never was." | With the Master out of the picture, Jack rounds up some soldiers to destroy the paradox machine, but is delayed by the Toclafane. The Master, using Jack's vortex manipulator, teleports himself and the Doctor to Earth, threatening to detonate his fleet and take the Earth with it. The Doctor knows that the Master would never kill himself, and manages to teleport both himself and the Master back to the Valiant just as Jack destroys the paradox machine; rewinding time to just after the US President is killed and just before the Toclafane arrive. All those on the Valiant remember the events due to being at "the eye of the storm," but nobody else will know of the Master's reign of terror in "the year that never was." The Master tries to run but ends up running straight into Jack who recaptures him. | ||
The Master, now defenceless, is handcuffed and stands before the Doctor. The Doctor announces that, since the Master is a Time Lord, he is the Doctor's responsibility and will be imprisoned on board the TARDIS. Francine Jones is talked out of shooting the Master, but Lucy Saxon, with a glazed expression, seizes a gun herself and shoots him. Rather than be a prisoner for the rest of his lives, the Master lets himself die, refusing to regenerate despite the Doctor's desperate pleas. Just before dying in his opponent's arms, the Master muses on the constant drumming in his head, wondering if it will finally stop, and with a smile says, "I win," leaving the Doctor to weep uncontrollably for his lost adversary and fellow Time Lord. The Doctor cremates the Master's body on a pyre. However, after he leaves, a female hand wearing red nail polish is seen taking the Master's signet ring from the burnt-out pyre, while the latter's malevolent laughter echoes in the background. | The Master, now defenceless, is handcuffed and stands before the Doctor. The Doctor announces that, since the Master is a Time Lord, he is the Doctor's responsibility and will be imprisoned on board the TARDIS. Francine Jones is talked out of shooting the Master, but Lucy Saxon, with a glazed expression, seizes a gun herself and shoots him. Rather than be a prisoner for the rest of his lives, the Master lets himself die, refusing to regenerate despite the Doctor's desperate pleas. Just before dying in his opponent's arms, the Master muses on the constant drumming in his head, wondering if it will finally stop, and with a smile says, "I win," leaving the Doctor to weep uncontrollably for his lost adversary and fellow Time Lord. The Doctor cremates the Master's body on a pyre. However, after he leaves, a female hand wearing red nail polish is seen taking the Master's signet ring from the burnt-out pyre, while the latter's malevolent laughter echoes in the background. | ||
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*The ending of the episode is similar to that of [[Doomsday]], when [[Donna Noble]] suddenly appears inside the TARDIS, but, this time it is the Titanic. This is also the second time a season finale ends with the Doctor exclaiming "What? What? What?" | *The ending of the episode is similar to that of [[Doomsday]], when [[Donna Noble]] suddenly appears inside the TARDIS, but, this time it is the Titanic. This is also the second time a season finale ends with the Doctor exclaiming "What? What? What?" | ||
*The Master calls The aged Doctor Gandalf, a reference to Lord of the Rings. | *The Master calls The aged Doctor Gandalf, a reference to Lord of the Rings. | ||
*The Master uses the line "How bout that, I win" near his death. | *The Master uses the line "How bout that, I win" near his death. The Doctor spoke a similar line in [[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]], "I win, how bout that". | ||
*It appears that [[the Master|the Master's]] funeral takes place on [[Malcassairo]] however | *It appears that [[the Master|the Master's]] funeral takes place on [[Malcassairo]] however it could've taken place on Earth.''it seems more likely to be on earth so that the doctor would not have to worry about the futurekind and the moon is visable in one shot unlikly at the end of the universe'' | ||
*Although the events of the so-called [[Year That Never Was]] are negated, several key events still occurred and as such are known to the residents of Earth -- including the existence of the Toclafane and their subsequent murder of the US President-Elect. The general public is also aware of the existence of the Valiant. | *Although the events of the so-called [[Year That Never Was]] are negated, several key events still occurred and as such are known to the residents of Earth -- including the existence of the Toclafane and their subsequent murder of the US President-Elect. The general public is also aware of the existence of the Valiant. | ||
==Story Notes== | ==Story Notes== | ||
*The Master seems to be a Scissor Sisters fan. He's singing along to "[[I Can't Decide]]" from their ''Ta-Dah'' album on the flight deck of the Valiant. This segment is absent from the iTunes version of the episode (likely for music licensing reasons). | *The Master seems to be a Scissor Sisters fan. He's singing along to "[[I Can't Decide]]" from their ''Ta-Dah'' album on the flight deck of the Valiant. This segment is absent from the iTunes version of the episode (likely for music licensing reasons). | ||
*The sound of the Master's laugh | *The sound of the Master's laugh can be heard while a finger with a red painted finger nail picks up the Master's ring. | ||
*Since the programme's revival, this is the first (and so far only) series finale not to feature the [[Dalek]]s. | *Since the programme's revival, this is the first (and so far only) series finale not to feature the [[Dalek]]s. | ||
*The Doctor trying to redeem the Master and the funeral pyre at the end could be a reference to ''Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi''. | *The Doctor trying to redeem the Master and the funeral pyre at the end could be a reference to ''Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi''. | ||
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*The iTunes version of this episode is 45 minutes long, same as a regular episode is, while the episode on DVD and the original broadcasting on BBC is 51 minutes and contains extra scenes. | *The iTunes version of this episode is 45 minutes long, same as a regular episode is, while the episode on DVD and the original broadcasting on BBC is 51 minutes and contains extra scenes. | ||
*This was the final episode to give screen credit to the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] for its help in co-funding the series; the CBC would continue its involvement in Series 4, but would not be credited on screen. | *This was the final episode to give screen credit to the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] for its help in co-funding the series; the CBC would continue its involvement in Series 4, but would not be credited on screen. | ||
*The Toclafane's origin is similar to that of the Somnus Foundation in [[BFA]]: ''[[Singularity (audio story)|Singularity]]''. | *The Toclafane's origin is similar to that of the Somnus Foundation in [[BFA]]: ''[[Singularity (audio story)|Singularity]]''. ''Singularity'' also featured technology that focused the collective psychic energy of humanity, like the satellites in this story. | ||
*The episode features the surprise revelation that Jack was once known as the Face of Boe, suggesting that the character encountered in [[DW]]: ''[[The End of the World]]'', ''[[New Earth (TV story)|New Earth]]'' and ''[[Gridlock]]'' is in fact a future version of Jack Harkness. Writer Russell T Davies reportedly tried to backpedal from this in the DVD commentary, leading to speculation as to whether this is actually the case. However multiple interviews on DVD and in other media by producer [[Julie Gardner]] and actors David Tennant and John Barrowman have all indicated without ambiguity that Jack is destined to become the Face of Boe. According to Gardner during a panel presentation at the 2008 San Diego Comic Con, Barrowman wasn't aware of the revelation until fairly late in production. | *The episode features the surprise revelation that Jack was once known as the Face of Boe, suggesting that the character encountered in [[DW]]: ''[[The End of the World]]'', ''[[New Earth (TV story)|New Earth]]'' and ''[[Gridlock]]'' is in fact a future version of Jack Harkness. Writer Russell T Davies reportedly tried to backpedal from this in the DVD commentary, leading to speculation as to whether this is actually the case. However multiple interviews on DVD and in other media by producer [[Julie Gardner]] and actors David Tennant and John Barrowman have all indicated without ambiguity that Jack is destined to become the Face of Boe. According to Gardner during a panel presentation at the 2008 San Diego Comic Con, Barrowman wasn't aware of the revelation until fairly late in production. | ||
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* Why did a soldier who had been loyal to the Master decide to obey Jack Harkness' orders? ''They are only loyal to the Master under duress.'' | * Why did a soldier who had been loyal to the Master decide to obey Jack Harkness' orders? ''They are only loyal to the Master under duress.'' | ||
*How did Martha and the Doctor know when the countdown would take place? ''The Doctor would have known about the countdown and either told Martha before she teleported down to Earth or transmitted the thoughts through what was left of the TARDIS psychic network. | *How did Martha and the Doctor know when the countdown would take place? ''The Doctor would have known about the countdown and either told Martha before she teleported down to Earth or transmitted the thoughts through what was left of the TARDIS psychic network. Also, it could have been an undisclosed known notion, learnt by Martha as she was peregrinating throughout the world.'' | ||
*Where did Martha get the idea for the gun from? ''The Doctor could have transmitted those through the network or told her while the Master was distracted before she left the Valiant.'' | *Where did Martha get the idea for the gun from? ''The Doctor could have transmitted those through the network or told her while the Master was distracted before she left the Valiant.'' | ||
*There is no explanation for Leo, Martha's brother. Was he killed in the attack? Did he hide like Martha asked? Did he join the resistance? ''There was meant to be a scene where Tom explained that Leo was working in slavery in the north'.' | *There is no explanation for Leo, Martha's brother. Was he killed in the attack? Did he hide like Martha asked? Did he join the resistance? ''There was meant to be a scene where Tom explained that Leo was working in slavery in the north'.''' | ||
*Shouldn't the Doctor turn into a giant monster just like Lazarus did? ''lazarus was human, the doctor is a time lord so it affected his genetic code differently'' | *Shouldn't the Doctor turn into a giant monster just like Lazarus did? ''lazarus was human, the doctor is a time lord so it affected his genetic code differently'' | ||
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*If the Master was able to convert the TARDIS into a paradox machine in order to change history, what's to stop the Doctor using the same kind of machine to allow him to change the events of the Time War? ''A paradox machine holds a paradox in place, it doesn't change established history. Also, [[The Stolen Earth]] established that the Time War is "time locked", an as-yet unexplained method of, in theory, preventing anyone from going back to that time.'' | *If the Master was able to convert the TARDIS into a paradox machine in order to change history, what's to stop the Doctor using the same kind of machine to allow him to change the events of the Time War? ''A paradox machine holds a paradox in place, it doesn't change established history. Also, [[The Stolen Earth]] established that the Time War is "time locked", an as-yet unexplained method of, in theory, preventing anyone from going back to that time.'' | ||
*When the Master talks about the Doctor's achievements, he mentions the [[Medusa Cascade]] and how he sealed it, this does not occur until [[Journey's End]], so how did he know? ''It's possible that there had been a rift in the Medusa Cascade before (perhaps during the Time War) and that it was sealed then." | *When the Master talks about the Doctor's achievements, he mentions the [[Medusa Cascade]] and how he sealed it, this does not occur until [[Journey's End]], so how did he know? ''It's possible that there had been a rift in the Medusa Cascade before (perhaps during the Time War) and that it was sealed then."'' | ||
*When the Master attempts to use his laser screwdriver on the psychically empowered Doctor, the laser light from the prop is reflecting off the lens of the camera he is pointing it at, which tells you there is a camera there. ''There is a camera there, because, as you remember, the Master is transmitting all over the Earth. There could well have been tiny cameras all over the place, allowing the psychopathic Master to record every single second of his rise to glory.'' | *When the Master attempts to use his laser screwdriver on the psychically empowered Doctor, the laser light from the prop is reflecting off the lens of the camera he is pointing it at, which tells you there is a camera there. ''There is a camera there, because, as you remember, the Master is transmitting all over the Earth. There could well have been tiny cameras all over the place, allowing the psychopathic Master to record every single second of his rise to glory.'' | ||
*Apparently the president of the USA is killed (by the Toclafane) and this is recognised post-time reversal. Wouldn't that cause international outrage the likes of which we would see a different ending? ''It wouldn't be the first time that a US President has been killed and was most likely dismissed as a more "standard" assassination; the same goes for the death of the British Prime Minister indeed, Lucy could well end up taking the rap for | *Apparently the president of the USA is killed (by the Toclafane) and this is recognised post-time reversal. Wouldn't that cause international outrage the likes of which we would see a different ending? ''It wouldn't be the first time that a US President has been killed and was most likely dismissed as a more "standard" assassination; the same goes for the death of the British Prime Minister indeed, Lucy could well end up taking the rap for both. (what the heck do you mean "standard assassination"?...the U.S. Government doesn't work like that... people in the U.S. would be outraged!). as said would not be the first time a pressident to be assasinated and yes tue the US would be outraged but remeber he was not the president he was the president ellect and they won't on any country so it was no countrys resonserbillity, and as for standered asasination It means been done by a human. '' | ||
*Jack refers to himself as the [[Face of Boe]], apparently without realising the connection to the Doctor's "old friend". But wouldn't he have known about the Face either through the events of ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'' in which the Doctor realizes the significance of Boe's final message (per ''[[Gridlock]]''), or even before that given the Face was something of an interstellar celebrity in Jack's home era (per ''[[The Long Game]]'')? ''Jack may not have made the connection, and not every celebrity is known by everybody or Jack may have already been in the 1940s before the Face became known in his era.'' ''Jack may not be the Face of Boe, his nickname may merely have been a reference to the celebrity.'' ''It is possible he is just testing the Doctor's reaction to see if this is actually his possible future. Also, from the expression on Jack's face, it is possible that he has indeed made the connection and the conversation is actually Jack telling the Doctor his theory.'' | *Jack refers to himself as the [[Face of Boe]], apparently without realising the connection to the Doctor's "old friend". But wouldn't he have known about the Face either through the events of ''[[Utopia (TV story)|Utopia]]'' in which the Doctor realizes the significance of Boe's final message (per ''[[Gridlock]]''), or even before that given the Face was something of an interstellar celebrity in Jack's home era (per ''[[The Long Game]]'')? ''Jack may not have made the connection, and not every celebrity is known by everybody or Jack may have already been in the 1940s before the Face became known in his era.'' ''Jack may not be the Face of Boe, his nickname may merely have been a reference to the celebrity.'' ''It is possible he is just testing the Doctor's reaction to see if this is actually his possible future. Also, from the expression on Jack's face, it is possible that he has indeed made the connection and the conversation is actually Jack telling the Doctor his theory.'' | ||
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*What happened to all the people who were on the Valiant when the President was assassinated but not present when the Paradox Machine was destroyed? To go one step further, what about the Toclafane vanguard who assassinated president Winters? Does that mean they are still on the loose? As the Valiant was rewound to where it was before, anyone on the Valiant at the time of assassination but not at the destruction of the paradox machine would have been killed (or rather stop existing). One step further, however, anyone NOT on the Valiant at the assassination but on it during the paradox machine's destruction should have been duplicated. How can all this be addressed? ''It could be that, as it is said in this episode, that the Valiant and the people on it were at the eye of the storm, so some aspects of "The Year That Never Was" were not removed.'' | *What happened to all the people who were on the Valiant when the President was assassinated but not present when the Paradox Machine was destroyed? To go one step further, what about the Toclafane vanguard who assassinated president Winters? Does that mean they are still on the loose? As the Valiant was rewound to where it was before, anyone on the Valiant at the time of assassination but not at the destruction of the paradox machine would have been killed (or rather stop existing). One step further, however, anyone NOT on the Valiant at the assassination but on it during the paradox machine's destruction should have been duplicated. How can all this be addressed? ''It could be that, as it is said in this episode, that the Valiant and the people on it were at the eye of the storm, so some aspects of "The Year That Never Was" were not removed.'' | ||
*It has been established that the First Doctor was his first incarnation and would have been over 800 years old, and he only appeared to be an old man, so why is that when aged by as little as a hundred, the Tenth Doctor becomes as aged as he is shown? ''Perhaps this is an effect of artificial aging. See ''[[The Leisure Hive]]''.''The Master never said he was'' aging ''The Doctor, he said he would reveal all his years and regenerations, effectively reversing his previous regens to the First Doctor and removing his ability to re-regen into a younger form. | *It has been established that the First Doctor was his first incarnation and would have been over 800 years old, and he only appeared to be an old man, so why is that when aged by as little as a hundred, the Tenth Doctor becomes as aged as he is shown? ''Perhaps this is an effect of artificial aging. See ''[[The Leisure Hive]]''.''The Master never said he was'' aging ''The Doctor, he said he would reveal all his years and regenerations, effectively reversing his previous regens to the First Doctor and removing his ability to re-regen into a younger form. | ||
Also, in a Fourth Doctor story, the Doctor is 700-and-something-years-old, which would mean the First Doctor was not over 800 years old.''no one really knows his real age. he usually just rounds or guesses'' | Also, in a Fourth Doctor story, the Doctor is 700-and-something-years-old, which would mean the First Doctor was not over 800 years old.''no one really knows his real age. he usually just rounds or guesses'' | ||
*The Doctor says that time has reversed to "just after the president was assassinated but just before the spheres arrived", so what killed the president? ''The Doctor meant that it was before the scene shown where the sky splits open and all of the Toclafane pour out. | *The Doctor says that time has reversed to "just after the president was assassinated but just before the spheres arrived", so what killed the president? ''The Doctor meant that it was before the scene shown where the sky splits open and all of the Toclafane pour out. Not the scene where the Toclafane first appear and kill President Winters.'' | ||
*How did the Doctor repair the TARDIS when the Doctor wasn't worried that the Master could repair just the navigational systems and the Doctor had a lot more to repair? ''The Doctor is more familiar with his TARDIS and they do share a telepathic connection so he could have found it a lot easier to fix it. Also, the TARDIS is telepathic and the Master is psychopathic so the TARDIS could have telepathically rejected any of the Master's attempts to fix it as it knows the enimity between the two Time Lords.'' | *How did the Doctor repair the TARDIS when the Doctor wasn't worried that the Master could repair just the navigational systems and the Doctor had a lot more to repair? ''The Doctor is more familiar with his TARDIS and they do share a telepathic connection so he could have found it a lot easier to fix it. Also, the TARDIS is telepathic and the Master is psychopathic so the TARDIS could have telepathically rejected any of the Master's attempts to fix it as it knows the enimity between the two Time Lords.'' | ||
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*The TARDIS has previously held back a paradox in [[EDA]]: ''[[The Shadows of Avalon]]'' to ''[[The Ancestor Cell]]''. | *The TARDIS has previously held back a paradox in [[EDA]]: ''[[The Shadows of Avalon]]'' to ''[[The Ancestor Cell]]''. | ||
*An explanation of why the Master is afraid of the Doctor is first suggested in [[DW]]: ''[[The Mind of Evil]]''. | *An explanation of why the Master is afraid of the Doctor is first suggested in [[DW]]: ''[[The Mind of Evil]]''. | ||
*While previous regenerations of the Doctor show regeneration as a involuntary feature of [[Time Lord]]s, the Master's choice to die rather than [[regenerate]] shows that there is some control a Time Lord has over their regenerative process. This is supported by [[Romana]]'s regeneration in [[DW]]: ''[[Destiny of the Daleks]]'' where she is seen "trying on" various forms before settling on one for her new body. | *While previous regenerations of the Doctor show regeneration as a involuntary feature of [[Time Lord]]s, the Master's choice to die rather than [[regenerate]] shows that there is some control a Time Lord has over their regenerative process. This is supported by [[Romana]]'s regeneration in [[DW]]: ''[[Destiny of the Daleks]]'' where she is seen "trying on" various forms before settling on one for her new body. | ||
*Jack Harkness later obtains the missing digit needed to reactivate his [[Time Agency wrist strap]]'s teleportation functions from Martha Jones following her use of [[Project Indigo]] in [[DW]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth]]''. | *Jack Harkness later obtains the missing digit needed to reactivate his [[Time Agency wrist strap]]'s teleportation functions from Martha Jones following her use of [[Project Indigo]] in [[DW]]: ''[[The Stolen Earth]]''. | ||
*Before leaving the Doctor, Jack recites the "the 21st century is when it all changes and you've got to be ready" monologue heard at the beginning of all Torchwood episodes. [[TW]]: ''[[Fragments]]'' would later reveal that Jack is (perhaps unconsciously) paraphrasing the last words of former [[Torchwood 3]] member [[Alex Hopkins]]. | *Before leaving the Doctor, Jack recites the "the 21st century is when it all changes and you've got to be ready" monologue heard at the beginning of all Torchwood episodes. [[TW]]: ''[[Fragments]]'' would later reveal that Jack is (perhaps unconsciously) paraphrasing the last words of former [[Torchwood 3]] member [[Alex Hopkins]]. | ||
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{{Series 3}} | {{Series 3}} | ||
{{Master stories}} | {{Master stories | ||
|Summary = Planet of the dead | |||
}} | |||
[[Category:Tenth Doctor episodes]] | [[Category:Tenth Doctor episodes]] | ||
[[Category:Stories set in London]] | [[Category:Stories set in London]] | ||
