“The War Chief Was Always in Control”: Doctor Who Producer Discusses the New Master Retcon

Doctor Who producer Phil Collinson shares his insights on the recent colorization of Patrick Troughton’s last adventure as the Second Doctor, titled “The War Games.”Collinson posits that editorial choices during this process could hint at the introduction of a new incarnation of the Master, the iconic Time Lord antagonist. Originally appearing during Jon Pertwee’s era, the character was first embodied by Anthony Ainley in the 1971 episode “Terror of the Autons.””The War Games,”which aired in 1969, marked a significant moment in the series as the TARDIS arrives on a bizarre planet where extraterrestrial beings have captured soldiers throughout history to forge an ideal army.

In a conversation with Doctor Who Magazine, referenced by RadioTimes, Collinson elaborates on how the revived series’ musical themes associated with the Master may suggest that the War Chief, played by Edward Brayshaw, is an earlier version of the Master. Collinson has long harbored the belief that the War Chief is indeed the Master, further emphasizing this idea through the selection of musical motifs in “The War Games”:

In my mind, the War Chief was always the Master, and we’ve leaned into that. We’ve got Murray Gold and Dudley Simpson’s Master themes underpinning some of those intense confrontations he has with Patrick Troughton.

Moreover, Collinson stresses that framing the narrative as an initial conflict between the Doctor and the Master adds significant emotional weight to the storyline. He expressed his thoughts on this twist:

It’s brilliant, such brilliant Doctor Who. When you envision it as the Doctor confronting the Master, it elevates the stakes remarkably. You become more invested in that character. What a finale for the Second Doctor—arguably one of the best in the show’s history.

The Implications of the War Chief’s New Identity for Doctor Who Canon

Reception Among Fans: A Controversial Choice

The integration of the War Chief as a potential early version of the Master has sparked mixed reactions among the Doctor Who fandom. Over the span of 54 years, the character has flourished in various forms across expanded media, often leading audiences to perceive him as a unique entity. This new conceptualization may leave some fans feeling that previous narratives have been rendered obsolete.

Nevertheless, with showrunner Russell T Davies currently adopting a more flexible interpretation of canon, fans might find opportunities to harmonize the colorization’s retcon with their personal views. The recent surprise re-emergence of Richard E Grant’s animated Ninth Doctor exemplifies an evolving continuity that allows for multiple interpretations of the Whoniverse.

Analyzing the War Chief’s Transformation into the Master

Adding Depth to Troughton’s Last Adventure

Zoe and the Doctor Say Goodbye to Jamie in Doctor Who

While the decision to recast the War Chief as the Master may divide opinions, it undeniably enriches the narratives of both Troughton and Pertwee’s portrayals. The convergence of the Doctor and the Master in this storyline suggests that their skirmishes in “The War Games”could significantly influence their subsequent journeys, especially with regards to the Doctor’s exile on Earth. As debates continue regarding this compelling retcon, fans are left to ponder the ramifications for future Doctor Who colorizations.

Source: Doctor Who Magazine (via RadioTimes)