In Review: Big Finish: Dark Gallifrey: The Decayed Master Part 3

Synopsis: Geoffrey Beevers returns as the Decayed Master.

With the Master bearing down, Naava flees through a skiproad to the plague-infected streets of medieval York. She’s seeking her old friend Calix. 

He’s the greatest of the chronosurgeons. Naava has to warn him of the nightmare that pursues her.

But something else is emerging from the skiproads. Something twisted and deadly is tearing chunks out of the panicked city. 

Naava has only one hope to set things right and escape the Master’s clutches. He’s hundreds of years in the future, listening out for ghosts of the ancient city.

Review: Dark Gallifrey: The Decayed Master Part 3 offered a marvelous prelude to Halloween. Writers Lauren Mooney and Stewart Pringle pulled out all the stops.

Story

Whereas part two was a more general prequel, the conclusion was a close character study. Mooney and Pringle centered the storytelling around Naava as events came to a head.

The result was a stark and visceral tale. Naava was forced to confront her hubris, envy, and intellectual distance.

The authors dressed their themes in unapologetically gothic tropes. My favorite of these involved Naava’s spooky fate when the Master finally caught up with her.

As for the ending, Mooney and Pringle allowed the Doctor to contribute as only he could. However, they never let him overshadow Naava’s development.

In effect, the scribes crafted Naava as a version of Romana gone wrong. Like Romana, Naava grew beyond her limitations and got things done.

Acting

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

As ever, Tim Treloar was pitch perfect as the Third Doctor. For her part, Kate Copeland played all facets of Naava with skill and conviction.

However, the soundscape belonged to Geoffrey Beevers. He unabashedly played the Master as a horror movie villain throughout.

Overall

Dark Gallifrey: The Decayed Master Part 3 gave listeners an immensely satisfying Halloween treat. I can’t wait to hear Big Finish’s other spooky season offerings.

You can purchase Dark Gallifrey: The Decayed Master Part 3 here.