When your plastic daffodils are deadlier than your kitchen knives, you know the Master has moved into town.
Short Synopsis
The newly arrived Master teams up with the Nestene Consciousness, unleashing killer plastics across Britain. The Doctor, Jo Grant, and UNIT try to stop him — while dodging inflatable chairs that eat people and dolls with murder on their minds.
Extended Storyline
The adventure kicks off with the Master stealing the Nestene’s technology, because clearly an alien race that loves disguising itself as plastic tat is the perfect partner for universal domination. He immediately sets about his plan: recruit the Autons (those soulless mannequins who made shop windows terrifying in Spearhead from Space), then add an extra dose of household horror.
Meanwhile, the Doctor meets his new companion, Jo Grant. She’s plucky, eager, and — as the Doctor points out — has no scientific qualifications whatsoever. The Brigadier thinks she’s “just the right person,” which is HR-speak for “cheap, available, and has nice hair.” The Doctor grumbles but secretly warms up to her.
Then the plastic carnage begins. The Master’s genius innovations include:
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Inflatable chair of doom — the IKEA product no one ordered, but which will suffocate you before you finish saying “flat-pack.”
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Killer troll doll — the worst birthday present you could possibly receive, unless you’re into demonic staring and strangulation.
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Deadly plastic daffodils — because flowers that spit suffocating clingfilm at your face are every florist’s dream.
While the Brigadier scratches his head about “scientific matters” (translation: standing around with a clipboard looking baffled), the Doctor and Jo try to outwit the Master. Said Master, played with smooth charm by Roger Delgado, spends most of the story swanning about, hypnotizing people, and cackling at his own brilliance. Honestly, who wouldn’t?
Of course, the Doctor eventually gets the upper hand by sabotaging the Master’s Auton plans. But in a twist, the Master doesn’t die, flee, or even sulk. Instead, he casually decides he’ll stick around Earth to torment the Doctor forever. A bromance-rivalry is born, one that will define the show for decades.