Nemesis Express

"You know this isn't a dream."

Writer: Robert Whitelock

Format: Audio

Released: October 2022

Series: Master! 2.01

Featuring: The Master, Vienna

Synopsis

Vienna Salvatori boards the Kairos in search of a stolen gem, and young thief Passion is hiding out and feels like the ship itself is watching her. 

Both women are about to be thrown together – and it's no accident. For the ship's Vortex drive has brought the Master back from oblivion, and he has plans for them both.

Verdict

Nemesis Express was a decent start to the second series of Master! baring the umbrella title of the same name. I do feel like this was treading on old ground a little following on from where Vengeance left off in leaving this version of the Master from The Movie stuck in the Vortex in giving a rationale for his return to the physical plain, but I can't hate on it too much. Part of that is down to the brilliance that is Eric Roberts and Chase Masterson because they're two phenomenal actors who really do own the stage. Whilst they were separated for the most part here, I look forward to continued interactions between the pair as the series moves forward. Vienna herself is such a strong character and whilst she has tempered a little in recent releases from the assassin we knew so well from The Shadow Heart and The Memory Box, it's all about character evolution and she still touches upon her roots very nicely. A lot of that is in her fees as was referenced here! That was pretty fun and it's good that she was having her services up for hire again. I thought the basis behind this episode was good and starting with Vienna trying to talk her way onto the Kairos was good stuff. She would always get there, it just was yet to be decided if it was by official means. I thought the significance of the Heart of Tiemon was pretty good as the basis for a story and whilst there could have been a little more elaboration and backstory on it, it was clearly important to the people aboard the Kairos that much was certainly clear. I do like a good artefact story and Vienna ties in perfectly there when it comes to a job so it made sense for her presence to be felt. The guest cast were strong and Passion was a standout and honestly part of that is simply down to her name. There's something about it that just sounds so incredibly powerful so it was good to hear her conversing with the Master. It's incredible how much control he is able to exert without even being physically present. It says a lot about his qualities, but then given that this is the start of another series it was quite predictable how things were going to play out and his reward for services paid to him was going to be the honour of involuntarily giving up one's life support to sustain the Master and bring him back to the physical plain. He certainly knows how to survive, doesn't he? It's an impressive trait but I can't hate the repetition too much because it really is uncanny. It's a wonderful trait of almost every Master but this one feels all the more impressive because we only got the one on screen appearance. so the expansion of this incarnation's life is just magical. Scarden sounded like he was going to prove himself and I guess he did with his fate, but he never quite felt like he was as crucial as he was putting himself out to be. He was always to be used. Vienna combining with Passion to warn her about the Master was good and I like that it appears she will be sticking around. Don't tell Jexie! It's good for Vienna to be in a partnership though and the Master wanting her alive is good, let the hunt begin as the series rolls on! That's an exciting premise for sure. Overall, a solid start to the series even if it did feel like stepping on old ground slightly where the spinoff is regarded. 

Rating: 7/10