Utopia

I am…the Master!

The Master

Synopsis

Captain Jack Harkness storms back into the Doctor’s life, and at the end of the universe, an evil old enemy is waiting…

Review

Utopia is a significant episode for the revived series, as it brings back another member of the Doctor’s people in the shape of the Master. It also features the return of Captain Jack Harness, fresh off the back of the first series of spin-off Torchwood. It is John Barrowman’s first appearance in the main show since his death and resurrection in The Parting of the Ways.

Oh, might have spent a million years evolving into clouds of gas… and another million as downloads, but you always revert to the same basic shape: the fundamental human. End of the universe and here you are. Indomitable, that’s the word! Indomitable! Ha!

The Tenth Doctor

Utopia kick-starts the finale to Series 3 in a story that could be seen to be slow and nothing new. It does, however, revolutionise the modern series. Having killed off the Time Lords when bringing the show back, Russell T Davies finds a way to bring back the Master, and potentially other Time Lords, by using the fob watch technology shown in Human Nature and The Family of Blood. In that way, it is probably the most ambitious of Russell T Davies’ finale stories when combined with the  two stories that follow. Utopia is my favourite of the three stories. It depicts a bleak and hopeless end for humanity, desperately placing all their hopes in the promise of Utopia, whilst sheltering from the Futurekind. They are putting their hope in a signal beamed across the stars that could be from anyone. Davies excels more in progressing characters here, getting them into position for the grand finale. The finale doesn’t entirely work, but the strongest parts of those episodes have their roots in Utopia. The Doctor has to confront what some of his people are truly like. Martha edges closer to leaving. Jack gets his long-awaited reunion with the Doctor. There is a lot of sitting around and talking, joking away, but that is one of the strongest parts of the story, and ultimately makes you feel the gut punch at the end of the story, with the Doctor, Martha and Jack seemingly stranded at the end of time with the Futurekind at the door.

Perhaps one of the show’s greatest mistakes is not sticking with Derek Jacobi as the Master. The show seems to lack confidence with that casting choice, but he gives a great performance. We have, of course, now had the benefit of Jacobi returning to the role for Big Finish, but he gives the role such gravitas here that it’s almost a shame not to see more of him on television. He is utterly compelling as Professor Yana, you almost don’t expect the heel turn that he has in the final moments of the episode. It is a masterful performance, and he becomes hissing and unhinged when he finally opens his fob watch. Whilst John Simm is good as the Master, the dynamic between David Tennant and Jacobi is mouth-watering.

The return of John Barrowman as Jack Harkness does add a certain something to this story. I’ve written elsewhere that I like having TARDIS teams of three, and this helps show Martha the reality of companion life and how suddenly travelling with the Doctor can end. Jack and the Tenth Doctor have a different dynamic than he had with the Ninth Doctor – it is sparkier and more jovial. Jack obviously has been through trauma as a result of the Doctor leaving him behind and living through the 20th Century. He rankles at the idea that he is the Doctor’s responsibility and hypocrisy at not telling the guards at the silo off in the same way he tells Jack off when they are threatened by the Futurekind.

The reintroduction of Jack is good for Martha. It shows her the reality of travelling with the Doctor, whilst also showing that companions are so often discarded without a second thought. Jack does also serve as a link to the Tenth Doctor’s infatuation with Rose, something which he appears to share here. It’s a bit tiresome that we’re still talking about Rose Tyler at the end of Martha’s only series, but Jack’s inclusion makes it feel organic. It’s really nice to see Martha meet someone who knows how she feels, as she does here with Chantho, Professor Yana’s assistant. There is unrequited love from her towards him, which mirrors Martha’s situation with the Doctor beautifully. It does tee up the ending well and ensures that the audience cares for Chantho before she is murdered by the Master.

And… Utopia is…?

Oh, every human knows about Utopia! Where have you been?!

Bit of a hermit.

A hermit? With… friends?

Hermits United. We meet up every ten years, swap stories about caves. It’s good fun. For a hermit.

The Tenth Doctor and Professor Yana

David Tennant is on great form in Utopia, which does highlight some of the Doctor’s flaws. We see that he wants to avoid Jack, and is scared of what the events of The Parting of the Ways have done to him, as well as being further than the Time Lords ever went as a result of the TARDIS trying to shake Jack off. I love the bit after the TARDIS lands and the Doctor really wants to leave, but his curiosity just gets the better of him. Whilst he is impressed by the resilience of humanity, the Doctor ends the story completely terrified at the prospect of finding another member of his own race here. The cold panic that fills his performance when Martha tells him that Yana has a fob watch just like his betrays his romantic description to her that he gives at the end of Gridlock.

Verdict: Utopia is a really bleak and interesting story which brings back a part of the Doctor’s history he probably wishes would have stayed missing. 10/10

Cast: David Tennant (The Doctor), Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones), John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness), Derek Jacobi (Professor Yana/The Master), Chipo Chung (Chantho), Rene Zagger (Padra), Neil Reidman (Lieutenant Atillo), Paul Marc Davies (Chieftain), Robert Forknall (Guard), John Bell (Creet), Deborah MacLaren (Kistane), Abigail Canton (Wiry Woman) & John Simm (The Master).

Writer: Russell T Davies

Director: Graeme Harper

Producer: Phil Collinson

Composer: Murray Gold

Original UK Broadcast Date: 16 June 2007

Behind the Scenes

• The first regular television story to feature the Master since The TV Movie, and the first time the character was seen to regenerate on screen. The Master had also featured in the webcast Scream of the Shalka, where the Master was also played by Derek Jacobi.
• The featured audio of the Master is spoken by Derek Jacobi and Roger Delgado. Delgado’s dialogue is taken from The Daemons. The chuckle belongs to Anthony Ainley. Eric Roberts had agreed for audio of his performance in The TV Movie to be used, however, Fox refused to release the audio.
• The first time that more than two names are featured in the opening credits.

Cast Notes

• Chipo Chung would go on to play the fortune teller in Turn Left.
• Neil Reidman also played Tom Braudy in Memory Lane.
• Paul Marc Davies played the Trickster in The Sarah Jane Adventures and Pepe Gonzales in The Gift.
• Robert Forknall played the foreman and Suits in Izzy’s Story and Lord Byron in Mary’s Story.

Best Moment

The moment that Professor Yana opens the fob watch is superbly acted and directed. Jacobi does something with his eyes that conveys the switch so well. The swirling theme by Murray Gold elevates it

Best Quote

That’s why I left you behind. It’s not easy, just looking at you, Jack. ‘Cause you’re wrong.

Thanks.

You are. I can’t help it.

The Tenth Doctor and Captain Jack Harkness

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