Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time! 

“CALL ME MASTER: SELF-HELP – A CHAOTIC BUT INTRIGUING START”

Post-regeneration stories for the Master are a rarity, making Self-Help a unique and welcome addition to the Doctor Who audio landscape. This story follows Sacha Dhawan’s freshly reborn Spy Master as he grapples with his new identity while hiding out in a remote cave, engaging in self-reflective conversations with his own inner critic. The setup is fascinating, but the execution is as erratic as the Master himself—chaotic, unpredictable, and difficult to pin down.

FROM RECLUSE TO GURU

After being picked up by a passing spaceship, the Master assumes the role of the “Great Zenith,” a self-help guru leading motivational sessions for the small crew while secretly waiting for the ship to crash. This premise provides an entertaining balance between tension and dark comedy, as the crew either embraces or distrusts the Master’s wisdom, while he, in turn, oscillates between forming genuine friendships and plotting their demise. His reflections on past selves, particularly the identity crisis experienced as Missy, add an unexpected layer of psychological depth.

SACHA DHAWAN OWNS THE ROLE

Dhawan slips effortlessly back into the role, delivering a performance that blends Missy’s eccentricity, the War Master’s menace, and Simm’s manic unpredictability. The result is a Master who is even more volatile than usual, making him compelling but sometimes exhausting to follow. His narration adds a personal touch, allowing us deeper insight into his fractured mind.

A SLOW-BURN CAST AND A SCENIC DETOUR

The supporting cast doesn’t make a strong initial impression but gradually grows on the listener, particularly as they come to terms with the Master’s true nature. Their dynamic with him becomes more engaging once they realise that survival means sticking by his side, whether they like it or not. However, the final act—featuring an expedition through an alien jungle in search of a mysterious artefact—feels like an unnecessary detour. While it adds adventure-movie flair, it slows the pacing and ultimately leads to a slightly underwhelming twist.

I did enjoy the little First Doctor reference at the end ;)

📝VERDICT: 7/10

Self-Help is an intriguing but uneven opener that thrives on its psychological exploration of the Master but struggles with its own chaotic structure. Sacha Dhawan is excellent, and the self-help guru angle is fun, but the narrative meanders, and the final stretch drags. A solid, if somewhat unfocused, start to Call Me Master.