Doctor Who producer Phil Collinson addresses how editing decisions in the colorization of Patrick Troughton's final Second Doctor story, "The Wars Games," may have established a new incarnation of rival Time Lord The Master. Created by Terrence Dicks and Barry Letts for Jon Pertwee's Third Doctor era, the rogue Time Lord villain was first portrayed by Anthony Delgado in 1971's "Terror of The Autons." Concluding Troughton Doctor Who mandate, 1969's "The War Games" saw the TARDIS materialize in a mysterious world where alien minds have kidnapped human soldiers throughout human history to create a perfect army.
Following the release of "The War Games" colorization, Doctor Who producer Phil Collinson tells Doctor Who Magazine (through RadioTimes) as the use of the Master's musical motif from the revived series implies that the War Chief (Edward Brayshaw) is an earlier incarnation of the Master. For Collinson personally, he reveals that he has I always believed that the War Chief was the Masterand intentionally leaned on theory with the song choice for "The War Games":
In my mind, the War Chief has always been the Master, and we contribute to that. We have the master themes of Murray Gold and Dudley Simpson in some of the great confrontations he had with Patrick Troughton.
Additionally, Collinson states that setting the adventure as an opening battle between the Doctor and the Master added new challenges to the story. Check out Collinson's explanation below:
It's brilliant, so Doctor Who brilliant, but when you imagine it's the Doctor and the Master, it's even more epic. You end up investing much more in this character. I mean, what an ending for the Second Doctor. I think it's one of the best Doctor endings there's ever been.
What the Master's New Starting Adventure Means for Doctor Who Canon
The decision was not unanimously followed by the fans
With the character having been part Doctor Who canon for over 54 years, the implications of The War Chief being one of the Master's earliest incarnations have been met with controversy. Although it was theorized, the character was read and developed as his own individual character in expanded media for over fifty years. As such, many may feel angry that these stories appear to have been decanonized.
However, showrunner Russell T Davies' current approach to canon may offer fans the opportunity to reconcile the colorization retcon. As seen by the surprise return of Richard E Grant's animated Ninth Doctor, the current approach to continuity offers more freedom. As such, viewers are able to interpret which version works best for their vision of the Whoniverse.
Our Thoughts on Warboss Master Retcon
The story adds a new layer to the final battle of Troughton
Although divisive, the decision to establish the War Chief as Master adds a new layer to the Troughton and Pertwee eras. Both the Doctor and the Master come together in the same adventure before the former is exiled to Earth, meaning their War Games battles could have played a bigger role in putting them both on Earth. As such, Collinson's perspective can be appreciated by many fans. Now, viewers will have to wait and see what possible future changes Doctor Who colorizations can be maintained.
Source: Doctor Who Magazine (via RadioTimes)