Following the devastating events of The Sound of Drums, Doctor Who plunges into one of its most ambitious finales with Last of the Time Lords, first broadcast on June 30, 2007. Written by Russell T Davies and directed by Colin Teague, this episode concludes the dramatic three-part story that reintroduced the Master, placing the Doctor and his companions in their darkest hour. Rewatching in 2025, Last of the Time Lords remains an ambitious and emotionally charged conclusion, though not without its divisive elements.
The episode picks up one year after the Master’s takeover of Earth, a shocking time jump that immediately reinforces how much has changed. The Doctor is a frail, caged figure, reduced to a mere shadow of himself. Martha is a fugitive, traveling across the ruins of a world under Saxon’s rule. Jack remains a prisoner, subjected to endless torment. The bleakness of this dystopian setting is one of Doctor Who’s most daring narrative choices, showcasing a world where the Doctor has already lost.
Martha’s journey is the heart of this episode. Over the course of the year, she has evolved from a talented but uncertain companion into a legend in her own right. Her travels across the shattered world, spreading the word of the Doctor, reinforce how powerful faith and hope can be, even in the darkest circumstances. Freema Agyeman delivers one of her best performances here—Martha’s quiet determination, resilience, and ultimate refusal to be defined by unrequited love make her one of the most well-developed companions of the modern era.
John Simm’s Master, having cemented his rule, is at his most unhinged in this episode. He dances through his kingdom with glee, reveling in his sadistic cruelty. The contrast between his maniacal, almost childlike demeanor and the sheer horror of his actions makes him one of the most complex villains in Doctor Who history. His treatment of Lucy Saxon, heavily implied to be abusive, adds another unsettling layer to his character. Yet, despite his dominance, his deepest fear remains the Doctor’s ability to inspire change, which ultimately leads to his undoing.
The climax of the episode is one of the most divisive moments in Doctor Who’s revival. The concept that humanity’s collective belief in the Doctor, amplified through the Archangel network, allows him to regain his strength and reverse time is one that either resonates deeply or feels overly sentimental, depending on the viewer. The visual of the Doctor rising, godlike, bathed in light, is a bold storytelling choice—one that leans into Doctor Who’s central theme of hope overcoming tyranny. While some criticize this as a deus ex machina, it aligns with the show’s long-standing emphasis on the power of ideas and unity.
The real emotional weight of the finale comes in the final confrontation between the Doctor and the Master. Instead of exacting revenge, the Doctor chooses mercy, offering his oldest friend the chance to change. Tennant and Simm’s chemistry is at its strongest here—there is a genuine sense of history, tragedy, and longing between them. When Lucy Saxon kills the Master, refusing to let him remain in power, the Doctor’s devastation is palpable. His grief over losing the last of his kind, the one being who truly understood him, is heartbreaking. The scene of him cradling the Master’s body, begging him to regenerate, is one of Tennant’s most powerful moments.
The episode’s final moments set up major shifts for the show. Martha’s departure is handled with grace—her decision to leave, not out of tragedy but out of self-respect, is a refreshing change from previous companion exits. Jack’s farewell hints at his future with Torchwood while slyly confirming long-held fan theories about his fate. And the closing moments—an unexpected knock on the TARDIS door, the Titanic crashing through—leave the audience with a tantalizing tease for what’s to come.
Rewatching Last of the Time Lords in 2025, it remains a grand, emotionally rich conclusion to Series 3, even if some of its storytelling choices remain divisive. The performances, particularly from Agyeman, Tennant, and Simm, are among the best of the era, and the emotional beats of the Doctor-Master relationship continue to resonate. While the resolution may not be to everyone’s taste, the episode’s core themes—hope, resilience, and the consequences of power—make it a fitting and memorable finale.
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