Warning: Spoilers ahead for Doctor Who season 14, episode 2, "The Devil's Chord."
Summary
- Maestro is not the Master, but a new original character with music-based powers from Doctor Who's Pantheon.
- The Master may not return anytime soon to avoid overuse in Doctor Who's modern era, giving space for new villains.
- Sacha Dhawan gave a notable performance as the Master and could return, but too soon may lead to Master fatigue.
Ever since the appearance of a particular new Doctor Who villain in the season 14 trailer, there have been several theories as to their true identity, but the second episode of the season debunks one of the most popular hypotheses. Doctor Who season 14, episode 2, "The Devil's Chord," brings a new antagonist into the franchise, and while there are seemingly certain clues to suggest the Doctor has encountered them before - it simply isn't true.
Several actors have played the Master in Doctor Who, and while rumors have been swirling about the imminent return of the Doctor's oldest nemesis, it doesn't look like he'll be coming back as soon as some fans might have imagined. Like the Doctor, the Master can regenerate, completely reworking how they look and act. Because of this, any mysterious new addition to the Doctor Who season 14 cast could technically be the Master in a new form, but "The Devil's Chord" stomps out the possibility for a character who has been a prime suspect for a while.
10 Recurring Doctor Who Villains, Ranked By Most Appearances
Doctor Who has introduced a wide variety of villains in its 60-year run, with only a few returning throughout to repeatedly challenge the Doctor.
Jinkx Monsoon Is NOT Playing The New Master In Doctor Who Season 14
Maestro has only a tangential link to the Master
Jinkx Monsoon's character is named Maestro, which means "Master" in Italian. As such, it's easy to see how the theory of Monsoon playing the Master took shape. However, "The Devil's Chord" confirms that Maestro is a completely original character, with their title coming from their fearsome music-based powers. Maestro isn't even a Time Lord, and is instead a member of a mysterious organization - Doctor Who's "Pantheon." The Pantheon originates from outside the universe, and consists of at least Maestro and Neil Patrick Harris' Toymaker.
Speaking with David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor in "The Giggle," the Toymaker says, "I sealed [the Master] for all eternity inside my gold tooth."
The Toymaker has interacted with the Master before, as confirmed in the final episode of the Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials. Speaking with David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor in "The Giggle," the Toymaker says, "I sealed [the Master] for all eternity inside my gold tooth." So, seeing as Maestro is the Toymaker's child, there is a connection between Maestro and the Master, but they are very far from being the same person. While there may be those who feel disappointed by this, keeping Maestro separate from the Master is the better move.
It's Too Early For The Master To Return In Doctor Who
The Master risks being even more overused if brought back too soon
Before the Toymaker entered the fray as the franchise's main villain in the anniversary specials, the Master had just been the antagonist for the final arc of Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor. So, bringing the Master back almost immediately after they were last defeated would be far too soon. In addition, the character is arguably overused - especially in Doctor Who's modern era. So, what would make more sense would be to let Disney's Doctor Who era breathe, allow the franchise to bring in more new villains like Maestro, and only then consider bringing the Master back to the story.
Thankfully, Maestro is a compelling antagonist in their own right, meaning there is no reason to make a connection to the Master.
Doctor Who has had an issue with its villains for a while now, as they're often used too often, and this is also true of the Master. Thankfully, Maestro is a compelling antagonist in their own right, meaning there is no reason to make a connection to the Master. If Doctor Who continues to introduce fresh faces to the Doctors gallery of villains, then this is a much better alternative to constantly reimagining classic bad guys like the Master, the Daleks, and the Cybermen.