Warning: Spoilers ahead for Doctor Who season 14, episode 2, “The Devil’s Chord.”

Ever since the appearance of a particular new Doctor Who villain in the season 14 trailer, there have been several theories as to their true identity, but the second episode of the season debunks one of the most popular hypotheses. Doctor Who season 14, episode 2, “The Devil’s Chord,” brings a new antagonist into the franchise, and while there are seemingly certain clues to suggest the Doctor has encountered them before – it simply isn’t true.

Several actors have played the Master in Doctor Who, and while rumors have been swirling about the imminent return of the Doctor’s oldest nemesis, it doesn’t look like he’ll be coming back as soon as some fans might have imagined. Like the Doctor, the Master can regenerate, completely reworking how they look and act. Because of this, any mysterious new addition to the Doctor Who season 14 cast could technically be the Master in a new form, but “The Devil’s Chord” stomps out the possibility for a character who has been a prime suspect for a while.

Jinkx Monsoon Is NOT Playing The New Master In Doctor Who Season 14

Maestro has only a tangential link to the Master

Jinkx Monsoon’s character is named Maestro, which means “Master” in Italian. As such, it’s easy to see how the theory of Monsoon playing the Master took shape. However, “The Devil’s Chord” confirms that Maestro is a completely original character, with their title coming from their fearsome music-based powers. Maestro isn’t even a Time Lord, and is instead a member of a mysterious organization – Doctor Who‘s “Pantheon.” The Pantheon originates from outside the universe, and consists of at least Maestro and Neil Patrick Harris’ Toymaker.

The Toymaker has interacted with the Master before, as confirmed in the final episode of the Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials. Speaking with David Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor in “The Giggle,” the Toymaker says, “I sealed [the Master] for all eternity inside my gold tooth.” So, seeing as Maestro is the Toymaker’s child, there is a connection between Maestro and the Master, but they are very far from being the same person. While there may be those who feel disappointed by this, keeping Maestro separate from the Master is the better move.

It’s Too Early For The Master To Return In Doctor Who

The Master risks being even more overused if brought back too soon

Before the Toymaker entered the fray as the franchise’s main villain in the anniversary specials, the Master had just been the antagonist for the final arc of Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor. So, bringing the Master back almost immediately after they were last defeated would be far too soon. In addition, the character is arguably overused – especially in Doctor Who‘s modern era. So, what would make more sense would be to let Disney’s Doctor Who era breathe, allow the franchise to bring in more new villains like Maestro, and only then consider bringing the Master back to the story.

Doctor Who has had an issue with its villains for a while now, as they’re often used too often, and this is also true of the Master. Thankfully, Maestro is a compelling antagonist in their own right, meaning there is no reason to make a connection to the Master. If Doctor Who continues to introduce fresh faces to the Doctors gallery of villains, then this is a much better alternative to constantly reimagining classic bad guys like the Master, the Daleks, and the Cybermen.

Sacha Dhawan Can Now Return As Doctor Who’s Master (& He Should)

Dhawan shone as the Master during Jodie Whittaker’s run as the Doctor

The Master was last played on-screen by Sacha Dhawan, appearing in the finale of the three 2022 Doctor Who specials, “The Power of the Doctor.” Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor regenerates into David Tennants Fourteenth at the end of the episode, which triggers the events of the 60th-anniversary specials. So, it would make sense if it is in fact Dhawan’s verison of the Master who is imprisoned in the Toymaker’s gold tooth. If so, the same actor could conceivably play the character when he eventually returns to the Doctor Who universe.

Sacha Dhawan is brilliant in the role of the Master, perfectly conveying the villain’s balance of chaotic instability and a rare intellect that can match the Doctor’s. Unfortunately, he played the character during an incredibly divisive time in the show’s history, and so his performance fell largely on deaf ears, with Chris Chibnall’s time as showrunner being too distracting as he created numerous plot holes in the long-running Doctor Who continuity. Dhawan deserves the chance to shine during Disney’s era of Doctor Who, but returning too soon would cause Master fatigue.