The Death-Match is under new management. The Hunt Master’s Champion has been installed. All regular players are welcomed back to the Pursuit Lounge to observe the contest in luxurious surroundings. Privacy is assured. For this reason we ask our elite guests to abide by the strict security protocols. Please note, the house has no limits. In the Gallery, your combatants can be observed on the orbiting Quarry Station. A purpose-built environment filled with deadly traps and hidden dangers. Prizes are offered for every kill, with bonuses for rogue elements. Only an elite hunter can survive the End-Game. Do you have a worthy champion? Kill or be killed: the only rule of the Death-Match…
Warning: This review contains spoilers
Following on from the cliffhanger that ended Requiem for the Rocket Men, Death Match is the latest offering from writer Matt Fitton (Black and White, Afterlife, Signs and Wonders), the fourth in what has already been an excellent series of Fourth Doctor Adventures from Big Finish.
Having failed in his plan to use the Rocket Men to his ends, The Master has set himself up on Quarry Station where he rules over gladiatorial style combat with the imprisoned Leela as his champion.. this being The Master of course, it’s to the death! With the premise echoing the likes of Battle Royale and the very current Hunger Games, there is a danger that the play may stray into unoriginal territory, but Death Match is closer in feel to the likes of Blake’s 7 than anything else.
Again focusing on the relationship between the Doctor and the Master, Death Match brings us something of a deeper experience than the action orientated Requiem for the Rocket Men, the relationship here full of banter and jibes, nearer Delgado than the possibly more continuity correct Pratt. It is this interplay where, like with so many Master stories, the audio and Geoffrey Beevers sparkles, given meaty dialogue for both men to work with.
Alongside the Master, writer Matt Fitton captures the unique Fourth Doctor well, not allowing the character to descend into parody or become over the top and Tom is in his full stride here, hitting his scenes with Beavers with typical Baker gusto. K9 too is given some gems, talking to himself and adding genuine personality as John Leeson relishes the opportunity.
Leela meanwhile continues her audio development alongside the character of Marshall, the Rocket Man with whom she’s decided to begin a new life. No longer considering herself the pupil but rather the master (no pun intended), Leela sees herself somewhat as having taken Marshall under her own wing much as the Doctor has taught her. Given the inevitable future of Gallifrey and Andred, there is something on an inevitability over the fate of Marshall which possibly takes a little suspense from proceedings. Actress Louise Jameson meanwhile continues to impress in the role as she adds new depths to the Sevateem warrior, the final scene being a standout moment for the character.
While most of the death matches themselves are somewhat lacking, understandable given the limitations and more pressing material possibly on offer, the play is otherwise tightly plotted and cracks along at a fair pace, the listener barely noticing the two episodes are considerably longer than the norm. The added length is welcome in a series where extra time would often be a benefit and we certainly hoe that some longer Fourth Doctor audios, besides the specials, may be on offer in the future.
Another excellent entry into the Big Finish canon from the accomplished Matt Fritton, Death Match is one of the highlights of the fourth season of Tom Baker audios. Both gripping and excellently scripted, this fast paced audio adds something new to the crowded Master arena.
Written By: Matt Fitton
Directed By: Nicholas Briggs
Cast: Tom Baker (The Doctor), Louise Jameson (Leela), John Leeson (K9), Geoffrey Beevers (The Master), Susan Brown (Kastrella), Andy Secombe (Vargrave)
Death Match is available now from BigFinish.com
