Escape From Reality: The Shadow Master

"This is the story of how the Master gave me life."

Writer: Lizzie Hopley

Format: Audio

Released: December 2022

Series: The War Master 8.02

Featuring: War Master

Synopsis

As the Master plunders inconceivable artefacts from an impossible universe, he encounters a figure that may prove his greatest threat: his own Shadow.

Verdict

The Shadow Master was another strong episode to continue my way through the Escape From Reality eighth series of The War Master! This continued to be a fascinating listen as the Master grows accustomed to the new fictional realm from which he is rapidly making a name for himself. I enjoyed the continuity from The Wrath of Medusa in having the Master based atop Mount Olympus and any threats put his way regarding Medusa and her gorgon sisters were shimmied away as if they were nothing because he had already granted them their freedom. I thought that was a fun element because he already had control. Things are obviously different in a world of fiction and the Master exploits that at all corners which was glorious. Much of the fictional aspects of this story coming from the author of Hans Christian Andersen was intriguing but I'd be lying if I said I was familiar with his works. That being said, there was some really interesting stuff and just having this Master experience and toy with different fictional elements was brilliant. The main attraction is obviously the titular element of the Shadow Master and I must say I found that concept strong. That was something I am familiar with and it works well to essentially show the War Master himself in shadow form. They absolutely perfected the casting with Gethin Anthony playing the Shadow because he just sounded like a fairytale. The nature of the episode and much of it being in a narrative form from the Shadow's perspective worked pretty well, although I do think there were perhaps a few too many moments where the War Master went missing. But if I would pick anyone to read an audiobook for fiction then it would be Anthony! That voice was mesmeric in this form. The Shadow's relationship with Poetry was quite beautiful too and I really loved their love for one another. It was sudden and yet pure and the entire concept of poetry personified was pretty great! She refuted the name of Shadow which was good as she hope the Master would see that he was much more than a mere alternate kind of reflection. I loved the concept behind the Devil's three magic bullets and the Master having them in his possession was a deadly prospect. The final one being shot at Poetry was a powerful moment and showed just how callous he is to hurt his Shadow that way. The two Masters having to team up to replace Poetry as the heart and soul of the realm was very much one of convenience and I liked how devastated the Shadow was. His mission at the end of wanting to hurt the Master and how he would be coming for him was superb and I'll be surprised if we've heard the last from him! The use of the Shadow TARDIS was really strong though and that felt like a concept rife for Dark Gallifrey! I thought that was strong. Incorporating goblins was fun stuff for this Master and I just liked how he continues to wreak havoc in a world where he almost has free rein! It's really fun to explore and Jacobi is revelling in the War incarnation. A great listen. 

Rating: 8/10