3.12 - The Sound of Drums

This follows on from the brilliant Utopia. Some consider Utopia to be the start of a three part story including this and the following episode but I do not think that is the case. Yes Utopia ends with the regeneration of the Master which leads into this but we do not consider every time the Doctor regenerates or other times when events in one episode lead into the next to mean they are the same story. I am in agreement with the widely accepted view that this is the start of a two part season finale which clearly continues with Last of the Time Lords.

In Utopia we had the great Derek Jacobi as the Master and he was truly magnificent. The gentle and endearing performance as Professor Yana and then the electrifying scenes as Yana realises his memories have been suppressed and his transition into the evil Master make for awesomely impressive viewing. Sadly we were only gifted a very short time enjoying him in the role as the Master before he regenerates and John Simm takes over the role giving a very different characterisation. Thanks to audio adventures we get to enjoy Jacobi more. Simm, whilst very different and shockingly bonkers is suitably menacing, fun and impressive in the role and this two parter gives him plenty of chance to treat us to a mixture of zany humour and dark threatening drama.

This episode is very funny in the comedic dialogue and very exciting in the dramatic plot development. The story is thrilling, interesting, dark and thoroughly enjoyable. As well as Simm's fine performance we get Tennant on superb peak form, Freema Agyeman again demonstrating what a great companion Martha is and John Barrowman enjoyable as ever as Captain Jack Harkness.

The threat to Earth is wonderfully well evoked and leads to a thrilling cliffhanger. 10/10.