In Review: Big Finish: Dark Gallifrey: Master! Part 1

Synopsis: In a psychic forest, the Master begins a sinister experiment. Is it for the benefit of Gallifrey or does it serve a darker purpose?

Several years ago, the Master, disguised as a tutor, took a group of Time Lord Academy students with promising futures on a field trip that went disastrously wrong. Now in the present, they all turn up dead.

Gamara is the last survivor. To save herself, she will need to reveal the truth about the monstrous experiment the Master made them conduct all those years ago.

Review: Dark Gallifrey: Master! Part 1 was an unsettling start to this new arc. Writer Lizzie Hopley hooked listeners by mixing tropes and building suspense.

Story

I’m not a fan of dramatic irony when it’s overused. However, Hopley found the delicate balance.

Her storytelling worked, because the audience understood the Master was up to something. Of course, we just can’t work out what, yet.

Hopley also excelled in leaning into her chosen tropes. She crafted an exciting blend of An Inspector Calls with And Then There Were None.

To this blend, Hopley added a Tardis, psychic powers, and the Master. Finally, she stirred in a group of students who were too smart to know how stupid they were.

Acting

The entire cast was excellent. That said, I must give kudos to two performers.

First, Claire Huckle truly sold Gamara’s journey. More than that, though, she served as Eric Roberts’ Los Angeles scene partner. 

Huckle played ALL the other roles, so he could act remotely. For his part, Roberts unleashed the Master’s charm and coiled menace opposite her.

Overall

Dark Gallifrey: Master! Part 1 had me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to hear if theories I have are correct over the next two months.

You can purchase Dark Gallifrey: Master! Part 1 here.