Escape From Reality: The Adventure of the Deceased Doctor

"I have eliminated every Sherlock Holmes."

Writer: Alfie Shaw 

Format: Audio

Released: December 2022

Series: The War Master 8.03

Featuring: War Master

Synopsis

When Dr John Watson is informed of his own murder, only the world's greatest consulting detective can assist. He just happens to come from a different world.

Verdict

The Adventure of the Deceased Doctor was a good episode to continue my way through the Escape From Reality eighth series of The War Master! This was an intriguing episode but I think the reason this probably scores a little lower than the rest of the boxset so far is probably because of my lack of exposure to Sherlock Holmes. I've obviously heard about him and know he's essentially a Victorian detective from the world of fiction, but I've never read or watched a Sherlock Holmes story. I am sure it would have been beneficial to have done so prior to listening to this episode and I suspect I may have the same issue in the series finale to come as I'll be in the same situation there. That's not to say it wasn't fun to hear the War Master in the role of Sherlock Holmes though! I'm just sure I would have appreciated it more if I was familiar with the fictional genre. Having him team up with his own Watson was good stuff and I liked the dynamic between the pair. The flashback moment towards the end of the episode where we hear how the Master imprinted himself as Holmes on the brain of his partner was terrific. I think the idea of the Master just passing through different fictional worlds following on from the events of the previous two episodes is amusing and when he saw this one he just popped off for a challenge. Talk about having some fun! We know the Master is patient when it comes to his disguises and mysterious schemes, but this one was quite something in terms of wanting to wipe out all versions of Holmes and Watson. And he was very nearly close! It was certainly audacious and pretty barmy which are often the best kind but there was some sort of logic to it in that he wanted the encyclopaedia to help complete the Omniscience. The Time War itself was writing reality to an endless and uncontrollable level on an almost continuous basis, so why couldn't something pertaining to be the seat of all knowledge help put order to that? The Master trying to use fictional elements and bring them into the real universe to aid the cause of the Time War is a delightful prospect and I just wish that came earlier in the story. Before it was revealed, it felt like the episode was then already over! I thought the Master confronting Moriarty was excellent and I liked how the two antagonists of two very different and popular genres came up against one another. The Master also needing every version of him was a fun twist as he initially seemed pleased that he had ridded the world of Sherlock Holmes. Johanna's role was good but I felt sorry for her as it was always clear she was just being used by the Master. Her fate of being subjected to the tissue compression eliminator was pretty brutal though and was another stark reminder of how ruthless this incarnation of the Master really is. It still surprises me in moments when it really shouldn't and Jacobi plays him to perfection. The use of a laser screwdriver here was really strong and I just enjoyed him toying with the characters of this world as he revealed to them that they were created. Playing with the mediums and some of the Sherlock characters here coming from the world of sound was a good subtle in-joke that I could appreciate. Overall, a decent episode that keeps the series moving. I'm excited for the finale even if I'm unfamiliar again with the fictional element at its heart. 

Rating: 7/10