10 Huge Moments In Doctor Who That No One Cared About
9. The Death Of The Master (Again)
We all know the Master. The Moriarty to the Doctor's Holmes. That was always his intention during his original conception in the '70s, and like the Doctor we've had a fair share of incarnations. But unlike our titular Time Lord, we barely see these regenerations taking place on screen, sometimes we are simply left believing the Master is dead.
A common thread of the Master's story, in the 1980s especially, their appearance would often end with their death, before reappearing a few stories down the line inexplicably. Looking at you Planet of Fire. This season 21 story, sees the Ainley Master literally burning to nothing, with the Doctor just watching on. However, the following season's Mark of the Rani, just has the same incarnation turn up with no real explanation.
The trope returned in New Who, with the first three storylines including the Master, (Saxon, End of Time and Death in Heaven) all ending with the 'death' of the character. However, two of these occasions, we're actually provided with reasons for the return, through both resurrections and very handy last minute teleports.
It's an endearing character trait, and we don't always need the exposition of how the Master survives each encounter, but when death to the character becomes so casual you start to wonder why the writers bother when realistically all major fans know they will not properly call it quits on such a bankable villain after one appearance, leading to a lack of caring towards the stakes of their life.