Genius Doctor Who Theory Explains Season 14's Many Hidden Master References

Summary Doctor Who season 14 is filled with hidden Master references, leading to speculation about the villain's return.

Fans have noticed nods to the Master in every recent episode, hinting at a larger storyline at play.

The Master's influence may be shaping events in season 14, with theories suggesting key characters could be connected to the villain.

Those who have been paying close attention will know that Doctor Who season 14 hasn't been short on its hidden references to the Master, and now a clever theory explains how they all link together. Since it began airing, Doctor Who's latest run of episodes has been jam-packed with teases, Easter eggs, and unexplained references. However, one of the many Doctor Who season 14 mysteries might just have been solved thanks to a genius theory.

The Master is the Doctor's oldest enemy, and, like the show's main character, there have been several different versions of the Master in Doctor Who over the years. The last time the renegade Time Lord was seen was in the 2022 special episode, "The Power of the Doctor", where he seemingly met his demise (not for the first time). Nevertheless, the character's name has popped up more than a few times in the episodes since, leading many to believe that a Master return in Doctor Who might be on the horizon.

Related Doctor Who Theory Reveals Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Told 1 Huge Lie In Season 14, Episode 3 One theory from Doctor Who season 14, episode 3, "Boom," points to the fact that Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor might have told a major lie.

Doctor Who Keeps Referencing The Master In Season 14

There's Been More Than One Allusion To The Doctor's Worst Enemy

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According to @clowns0cks, there has been at least one reference to the Master in every episode of Doctor Who since 2023's "The Giggle". In fact, the X user took the time to make a compilation video of each one of the nods to the Master across the last five episodes. Some of the references are more obvious, such as the Toymaker's boasts about defeating the Master, while others are so subtle that even the most hardcore of Doctor Who fans might not have noticed them on first viewing.

For instance, in the 2023 Christmas special, "The Church on Ruby Road", Ruby Sunday's foster mother, Carla, says the line, "I wonder who I'd be without you", which is almost identical to a line the Doctor said to the Master in "The End of Time". Additionally, "Boom" made reference to "the moon and the president's wife", which is something previously said by the Master in his Missy incarnation. As well as that, there was a callback to the Archangel Network, the series of satellites used by the Master to create a telepathic link.

Doctor Who season 14 continues with "73 Yards", which is set to be released on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer on May 25, 2024.

Even the theme music of John Simm's Master was briefly played by Maestro on the piano in "The Devil's Chord". Season 14 also hasn't shied away from discussing Doctor Who's destruction of Gallifrey, which was brought about by the Master himself. Whether the references to the Master will continue to pop up beyond episode 3 is not yet known, but the fact that the character has been alluded to so many times already surely isn't a coincidence.

Doctor Who's 60th Anniversary Teased The Master's Return

"The Giggle" Left The Character's Return Wide Open

Of the recent episodes, the one with the most direct references to the Master is the 60th anniversary special episode, "The Giggle". In the story, the villainous Toymaker describes how the Master, who was at death's door, begged for his life by playing one final game. When the Master lost, however, the Toymaker sealed him in a gold tooth. At the end of the episode, when the Toymaker has been defeated and the day has been saved, a hand belonging to an unknown person can be seen picking up the tooth. As they do, a menacing laugh can be heard.

Current Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies has previously revealed that the Master won't be making a comeback any time soon.

The moment is clearly intended to tease the Master's return at some point, be it in season 14 or beyond. Current Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies has previously revealed that the Master won't be making a comeback any time soon, saying that, for now, the character is "parked". That being said, Doctor Who showrunners have a habit of not completely telling the truth in order to protect spoilers. In other words, just because Davies has ruled out a return for the Master in season 14 doesn't mean it's not going to happen.

Theory: The Master Is Secretly Influencing Doctor Who Season 14

They're Secretly Pulling The Strings

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With so many references to the Master in just a handful of Doctor Who episodes, it's not too much of a stretch of the imagination to assume that the character will be popping up very soon. However, what if the Master is already influencing events? What this looks like exactly is hard to say, but it's possible that some of season 14's biggest mysteries might actually be pieces in the Master's own elaborate plan. For instance, the Master's game with the Toymaker might not actually be over, meaning the Doctor and Ruby could just be pawns.

Related 10 Biggest Doctor Who Theories About Susan Twist's Mysterious Character Doctor Who's Susan Twist keeps showing up randomly. Top theories suggest she could be a more important character than it seems at first glance.

Alternatively, the Master could be Susan Twist. The actress has cameoed in almost every episode since 2023's "Wild Blue Yonder" as a different character each time. In fact, the only episode she wasn't featured in was "The Giggle". It's possible, however, that she was in that episode, but only her hand was seen. After all, it is a woman's hand that's shown picking up the tooth, and the Master does have a penchant for disguises in Doctor Who. The same logic could be applied to Mrs. Flood, who, in "The Church on Ruby Road", displayed knowledge of the TARDIS.