Who Is Your Favourite Master And Why

[Slagathor]

I would have liked to see Jacobi portray the Master throughout the three-part story. But I suppose a younger man seems more threatening.

I loved Roger Delgado, but trying to imitate him is generally doomed to pale comparison. Simm had a bit of psycho aspect that might easily be associated with a meglomaniac.

He puts the 'maniac' in meglomanic.

[Claire Voyant]

I thiought he put the 'glo' in meglomaniac. ;D

Actually, I generally liked John Simm's Master, except I didn't like how he treated his wife in the third part. I didn't like her as a victim.

[Cornelia_Africana]

slag said:

I would have liked to see Jacobi portray the Master throughout the three-part story.

Of course, it's possible that an actor of his stature might have refused to dance around like a goon, and say some of the lines RTD would write for him.

[The Doctor]

I agree with all who dislike John Simm's Master and thought Jacobi (one of my favourite actors) was better in his few minutes (and or 'Shalka' appearance) as the Master.

As for the poll, I have voted for Anthony Ainley as the best because shamefully no one has voted for him (hang your heads in shame!) and I like him as much as Delgado (they are equal in my estimation). I can see why some think Ainley was a bit panto sometimes (though so was Delgado when the writing for his character wasn't as good... look at some of the parts of, the not-as-bad-as-all-that, 'Time Monster') but (like Delgado) his good moments outweigh the slightly campy silly moments. Look at Ainley in his 'Logopolis', 'Planet of Fire' and 'Survival', great performances. I think (and no offence to the great Pratt and Beavers) he revitalised the character, no long was he a dying husk but a powerful mastermind ready to strike at the Doctor and galaxies like the cobra finally at the mongoose that has bested him for two long.

Great stuff!