User Reviews

''basically...end of the world'' This episode begins with uneasy humour and ends with league of gentlemen-esq humour, though the tone is incredibly dark. Whereas last season's finale saw millions of daleks hovering above Caray Wharf and slaughtering countless humans, this story sees that element of catastrophe being upped a notch. It was surprising and unexpected. If you thought it was one thing, it was something else. RTD could have used cybermen, daleks, gelth or another recurring villain, but chose to do something new. Oh yes, and the Tyler's would not have done what the Jones's have done, which adds a soap opera element, but is immediately overshadowed by the fact that the Master has been manipulating event son Earth without arousing any suspicion. The Sweeney-esq shootouts and the rather humorous treatment of the gassing scene is a classic example of how originality can make the simplest techniques entertaining.

This episode is not camp, but is so much fun to watch. The contradicting use of music with 'here come the drums', the tense but highly amusing chase sequences all build up to something unexpected. And what the show deals out best comes in a big way at the end of this week's episode.

This, unlike some other eps this season, gets my approval

The trio of the Doctor, Martha, and Captain Jack return to Earth, present day. The Master (superbly played by "Life on Mars's John Simm) under the guise of Harold Saxon has just been elected England's new Prime Minister and if the trio think that the dire situation can't get much worse, the Master and his metallic ball Toclafane will prove them how wrong they can be.

After the brilliant opening gambit that was "Utopia", this episode couldn't help, but feel like a step down, however a slight one. It still remained captivating and i still wait with baited breath as to how it will all end. It's just that it felt, to me at least, that their was a tad more levity in this episode somehow. Not that it's all grins (it isn't), just that the mood didn't seem to fit in some way i can't really explain. But I digress, the fact remains that it's still a fairly tight episode.

My Grade: B

Dark, weird, funny, Not Just For Kids - this is more like classic Doctor Who, blending psychology and political science with the usual ray guns and aliens. Shades of The Omen in the flashback sequence as well! Much better than The Parting Of The Ways and even better than last years season finale, this episode sees all the little bits of info that have been, almost subliminally, given the viewer throughout the series come together to make a blockbusting slam-bang of an episode, as they say in movieland. Find out why people keep mentioning "the election", the identity of the sinister Men In Black who have been taping Martha's calls to her mum, and much more.

And I couldn't help noticing - Simms has really got Tony Blair's twitchy freak down pat - right down to the speech patterns and crazed grin.

So this is *it*. The Greatest episode of Doctor Who I have ever seen.

Its the sheer scale of the story that's just incredible, never has the Doctor been so vulnerable and never (for all the brilliant funny moments) has it ever been quite so dark and the situation seemed so helpless.

John Simm simply steals the entire series as The Master, who has become Prime Minister of Britain under the name of Harold Saxon. He is every bit the mirror of David Tennants Doctor (as the Master should be) complete with human companion Lucy (only he did the dirty and married his - poor Rose+Martha...).

After their brief encounter in Utopia, where the Doctor's universe literally ends before him, we find ourselves back on Earth in 2008. From the second our heroes arrive its clear the situation is already lost. The Master is controlling the country and is just 24 hours from his big show in front of the world. He is having the time of his life.

Some accuse Russell T Davies of dumbing the Master down by making him so jovial and outrageous failing to realise that if the Master is as happy as he is here then its very very BAD news indeed.

The episode is essentially a cat n' mouse chase between the Doctor and the Master but in reality that is exactly what the Master wants. He could have them arrested and killed at any point in this episode, but where is the fun in that for him? He is deliberately chasing the Doctor deeper into a trap because he wants him there for his final performance.

What a show it is: First up a seemingly innocent "monster of the week" episode comes back to haunt the Doctor- The Lazuras Experiment- which we now learn was the brainchild of The Master, all so he could create a weapon to incapacitate the Doctor.

Then he tears a whole in the universe (the best CGI yet) unleashing a race called the Toclafane whose real identity is as yet unknown -the name is actually an invention of the Master's. They immediately set about murdering 600 million people on the Master's instruction.

Its a scene that is both awesome in its scale and funny in a perverted way. The whole thing is done to the sound of Rogue Trader's "Voodoo Child" a personal favourite of The Master who boogies at the window in a manner befitting a sexual deviant as he watches the destruction below. Meanwhile his wife jigs along awkwardly like true air head.

In short never has it been so tense, so dramatic, so funny and so action packed as this. I had the same feeling watching this as I did watching the first part of Star Trek's Best of Both Worlds- the realisation that my favourite series had just produced its best hour of television yet.

If I could rate it 20/10 I would but I cant so its a big fat 10 from me.

I was absolutely delighted to see Ann Widdecombe in this episode. I love it when people who you never thought would do a cameo, do one. Brilliant! This episode was even better than the previous with almost everything a Dr Who fan could ask for, an amazing villain, the brilliant Dr and his companion. And the riverting plot. Truly amazing!

Man, this episode is good and I don't know where to begin. John Simms did steal the show as being the Master, lol. Tennant and everybody's performance was great! The cliffhanger? Damn, when I first watched the episode when I was a child, I was so shocked and couldn't believe it. This might about the best cliffhanger ever!

10/10

A decently strong first part (well, second if you include utopia) of the season finale. The mind control aspect was a little odd and John Simm was a little over the top as the Master but still entertaining and definitely perceived as a threat.

The Doctor and company as fugitives was a cool idea that worked pretty well and the exchanges between the Doctor and the Master were delivered well. Martha's family was still annoying unfortunately but the overall plot was well done and kept me interested in seeing the conclusion. A good cliffhanger with some interesting, if not a bit predictable, twists. 8.5/10

The Sound of Drums takes the groundwork laid in Utopia and builds a thrilling and deeply unsettling episode. It expertly weaves together character development, political intrigue, and the Doctor facing his most cunning adversary yet, earning a well-deserved 9 out of 10.

John Simm steals the show as the Master. He's brilliant, chaotic, and genuinely terrifying in his power. His domination of Earth through manipulation and charisma is a chilling testament to his new incarnation. David Tennant's Doctor is pushed to his limit, with a fantastic mix of fury and cunning as he tries to outsmart the Master.

The supporting cast is excellent. Freema Agyeman's Martha gets her time to shine with an emotional and action-packed subplot that mirrors the Doctor's own plight. The inclusion of the Jones family adds a grounded, human element that amplifies the stakes of the Master's rule.

The Sound of Drums isn't just about action; it's psychological. The episode explores themes of manipulation, blind faith, and the resilience of hope even in the darkest of times. The Doctor is forced to make difficult choices, and the tension builds beautifully towards the epic cliffhanger.

If the episode has a weakness, it's that some of the plot resolutions in the finale feel a bit rushed in comparison to the setup here. However, that doesn't lessen the power of this individual episode.

The Sound of Drums is suspenseful, heartbreaking, and a chilling showcase of the Doctor facing a villain perfectly matched to him. It's a must-watch for any Doctor Who fan and earns a high place within the show's long history.

Alexandra Moen is a stand—out

The bad thing is that this episode is far—fetched, over—the—top and phony, very unconvincing even in terms of WHO—Ish fancy; the very good thing is that it offers one of the hottest actresses in this series—a classy blonde: the Master's wife, Alexandra Moen—the girl is as sexy as she's beautiful.

This Master—plot seems too thin, and played for meager laughs only; the girl who plays the Master's wife is very sexy.

She seems to be a nice well—mannered babe.

With this uninteresting arch, the series is only drifting.