Doctor Who: 10 Most Embarrassing Episodes For Once-Formidable Villains

1. Eric Roberts As The Master In The Doctor Who Movie

eric roberts the master To dissect all the flaws in the Doctor Who movie would be an article in itself, and sadly out of the scope of this piece. It's not all bad, though. We do get a funny cameo from comedian Will Sasso as Pete, the mortuary attendant prone to fainting. Daphne Ashbrook's performance as Grace Hollaway is fairly solid, and after all, this is the only appearance of the Eighth Doctor in televised Doctor Who history. Because of this, I'm willing to cut it some slack. One thing just doesn't work at all, and that is Eric Robert's ham-fisted performance as The Master. Everything associated with him in this is just...off. First off, why are the Time Lords holding his trial on Skaro? Were all the convention centers on Gallifrey booked solid that weekend? That aside though, fans know the Master is a bad guy. But in his previous appearances on the show (particularly in the Pertwee era) his evil wasn't completely over the top, and he could convincingly convey menace with just his sinister demeanor and air. Roberts however, who I'm going to imagine was not perhaps, the biggest fan of the show in the world, approaches his role straight out of the Snidely Whiplash school of mustache-twirling villains. On top of that, how does The Master has become some kind of reptilian creature who can also travel around as clear ooze and infect people with poisonous bile? John Simms' new version of the Master has vastly repaired his legacy on the show (although even he was pretty over the top in the first part of "End of Time"), but if the show had never returned and this was the last time we ever saw the Master, that would have been a terrible fate for fans.
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Hi there, What Culture-ers! I'm William Graff, a 40-year old freelance writer from the wilds of Capitol Hill in beautiful Denver, Colorado. I enjoy many things such as beer, Doctor Who, The Simpsons, record collecting, stand-up comedy, long aimless walks, and of course the Broncos, which is required by law if you live here. I appreciate all feedback for my writing, but I prefer cash and/or deleted Smiths singles in lieu of praise. Rock on!