Yea I think the Master did feel sort of absent considering how much he had features previously. Though it was more of a physical absense than something lacking from the story. Such a shame he died. He is the best version of the master I have seen and I think I have seen them all except for the one that looks like a corpse. I saw the one in The Kings Demons and Delgado and the ones from the new series. Are there many more?
I've watched this again this week and I forced a friend to watch with me. I don't think I converted him but he watched it all and said he enjoyed it so you never know.
The Masters (in order) are;
Roger Delgado Jon Pertwee era
Peter Pratt (a one off appearance in the Deadly Assassin - he was "an emaciated creature" entirely covered in make up. Peter Pratt found fame as an Opera Singer and was cast largely for his voice)
Geoffrey Beavers (Another one off appearance as an emaciated, fully made up Master, cast for his silky voice in The Keeper of Traken)
Anthony Ainley The final "Classic Series" Master whose tenure ran from The Keeper of Traken right through to the final story of Sylvester McCoy era "Survival".
That takes you through to Sir Derek Jacobi and John Simm.
I might have dreamed this, but Geoffrey Beavers has been recast as the Master for some Big Finish work as well
