Doctor Who: The Power Of The Doctor Review - 5 Ups & 7 Downs

We’re pleased to say that both Jodie and Mandip rounded out with one of their strongest performances to date, but in The Power of the Doctor, the MVP award has to go to Sacha Dhawan, who finally nails his Master in his (presumably) final regular appearance.

One thing that has been abundantly clear through his run is just how much fun Dhawan is having with the role, but sometimes, the manic energy has bordered on a little too much. This time, however, we see a slightly more restrained and refined performance, and it’s a delight.

It’s a shame to see the long-awaited use of Tsarist Russia as a setting fall to the wayside in this busy story, however, this incarnation of the Master is the perfect Rasputin, whether he’s hypnotising the Tsar’s wife, badly photoshopping himself into paintings for absolutely no reason, or bopping to Boney M (between this and the Saxon incarnation, it’s canon that the Master’s playlist is fire).

As well as playing a Russian mystic, the Master also tries his hand at seismology, in a particularly fun scene that sees him performing a lecture to a room of miniaturised attendees. He even enjoys a brief stint as Doctor 13.5 (more on that later), where he absolutely rocks it with the cross-dressing.

Take a bow, Mr. Dhawan.