Nemesis Express: Capture the Chronovore!

"Tomorrow we hunt."

Writer: Lizbeth Myles

Format: Audio

Released: October 2022

Series: Master! 2.02

Featuring: The Master, Vienna

Synopsis

Vienna and Passion pursue the Master, but to find out what he's up to they must find a way through the ship's classier compartments.

With their weapons confiscated and champagne on ice, they're invited to join an exclusive shooting party, hunting the Vortex's great game – Chronovores! – and the Master is most definitely dressed for the occasion.

Verdict

Capture the Chronovore! was a fun story to continue my way through the Nemesis Express second series of Master! This was much improved on the series opener and felt like it had some strong direction which is always great. I really enjoyed how Passion now seems to be fully in a partnership with Vienna which is good because she made a big impression right away in the first episode so I'm glad she's sticking around. She compliments Vienna well and seems a little more rash as a thief with Vienna seemingly maturing with her experience. The Master being back in physical form is always a pleasure and this incarnation in particular is really growing on me the more and more I listen to him. Eric Roberts brings such a quality to the role and he really is different to any other version which is certainly beneficial. I'm a big fan and his ruthlessness is incredible to hear. He's not afraid to murder and did so on numerous occasions here, mostly because was irked at the actions of those failing to do as he commanded. Some punishment! The continuation of the Kairos setting was good and whilst I appreciated the continuity, this felt entirely different which is a big positive. I thought the Master being involved in a game was great and the one at hand here sounded pretty spectacular. I do wish we could have heard more of it in action, but the concept of capturing a Chronovore was very exciting. Their existence within the Time Vortex as their natural habitat and environment is marvellous and it really is difficult to comprehend. That was part of what was happening here with a live Chronovore being experimented upon and I was almost stunned that the Master was against that! Of course, he didn't have the most sound of motives as he was actually trying to harness the weaponry that was utilising the Chronovores, but it was still nice to get a glimpse of a good conscience. Maybe his past experience and interactions in The Time Monster led him to have a change of heart? It might just be possible. The way he was luring Vienna and Passion into his lair with the most obvious of traps was great and I enjoyed that the pair knew that this was what was happening anyway. They didn't have much choice other than to move forward with it anyway but at least they were somewhat prepared! I thought Princess Natalia was a really strong character and I admired her for standing up to the Master. The way he had positioned himself as head huntsman for the game was impressive and exactly where you'd expect him to be. It's almost a shame that he wasn't in disguise! But the callousness in which he murdered the princess was almost delicious. The audacity! She made a big impression which made it all the more impactful. Miroy was another solid character who didn't last long enough but that is beginning to become a trademark of this spinoff range where The Movie incarnation of the Master is concerned! I thought the Master inviting Vienna and Passion to make themselves known during his speech was good and confident, but it was a nice turn of events for them to set his plans back at the end. Things are far from over with the finale to come, but this sets things up nicely with dare I say a potentially level playing field? I can't wait to hear how things conclude. Overall, a very strong episode to continue the series. 

Rating: 8/10