The Master tackles his past traumas and gets therapy. Hey, if the 14th Doctor goes on to do it not long after this, then why not? Clearly they’re alike in more ways we knew!

Personally my own mental health has been at an all time low, and I’m grappling with the fact that I hate making mistakes. So, weirdly, this is the first time I actually felt I could empathise with the Master and understand what he was feeling. This is a completely different version of the master than we’ve seen before, he’s so unsure of himself that it's almost heartbreaking. Because it feels so real. That little nagging voice in his head of self doubt that drives his madness, that’s real. It’s not drumming in his head. RTD said in interviews before season 1 that he was continuing the Timeless Child narrative but that those words themselves have no weight in reality; what does have meaning though is the fact he’s an orphan, a foundling - something we can understand. What drives the dhawan’s mania is an imposter syndrome and an inferiority complex, which is rooted in something real unlike the drums of the Simm Master.

Described by Valentine himself as something of a post-regeneration story for this Master - and as referenced in a line of dialogue - I think this works really well. I left this story with a great understanding of the character which I think is a great achievement.

7/10

This story feels like two distinct stories. On one hand it's great to have more insight on that version of the master's motivations and why he turned out like that, but the story only really picks up once therapy starts, which offers amazing character dynamics, especially by giving the master genuine friendships, which he never had before. It still could help being better paced, and maybe separated in two distinct stories.

Wasn't for me but I did appreciate that this series seems willing to grapple with the Master's post-Missy resurrection and the apparent regression that entails. Having the Spymaster adrift, unsure of who he is, is a compelling start — even if this first outing feels meandering.

Thought this would be only a little funny story about the Spy Master constantly having breakdown after breakdown after personality crisis, but even if the humor is quite obviously there, the main subject about his inner demons (of course) is treated brilliantly. I appreciate this intrsopection, as it explains this Master's views on Missy and what happened to become this new regeneration. As per the story itself, making the Master basically go through therapy is hilarious but so, so needed. He's beyond insane and deranged and that's why I love him so much. There's something about this Master being so psychotic most of the time that his raw emotions and thoughts are crystal clear, even if he refuses to admit it. In all honesty, I'd love anything that had to do with him but this is genuinely so good.