Master channels Azal through Bok
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
The Master and coven begin the third summoning, chanting in what appears to be a ritualistic manner.
The Master intensifies the summoning with a complex incantation, declaring his will while the coven echoes the sentiment.
The coven repeats the Master's declaration that his will be done, as 'Bok's eyes light up,' signaling a shift in the situation, suggesting power is building or being transferred.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Implied resistance and detachment, as Azal is being summoned against his will. His power is being siphoned, but his true nature remains an enigma, adding to the tension and uncertainty of the ritual's outcome.
Azal, the last Daemon, is invoked by the Master but remains an unseen, looming presence. His power is not fully manifested in the scene, but his influence is palpable as Bok's eyes ignite with an unnatural glow, signaling the transfer of Azal's energy into the cult's control. Azal's resistance to being summoned is implied by the Master's insistent and desperate tone, suggesting that the Daemon is not a willing participant in this ritual.
- • To resist the Master's attempts to control him, as Azal operates on his own criteria and does not bow to mortal ambitions.
- • To assert his dominance and independence, even in the face of the Master's ritualistic coercion.
- • That his power is absolute and that he is not bound by the will of mortals or Time Lords.
- • That humanity is merely a subject in his long-term scientific experiments, and that their attempts to control him are futile.
A state of passive transformation, as Bok is not an active participant but rather a conduit for Azal's power. His emotional state is not explicitly shown, but his physical transformation reflects the ritual's success and the Master's growing control over the situation.
Bok, the Master's reanimated gargoyle enforcer, stands as the focal point of the ritual. His eyes ignite with an unnatural, glowing light as Azal's power is siphoned into him, signaling the transfer of the Daemon's energy into the cult's control. Bok remains passive throughout the ritual, serving as a vessel for the Master's ambitions. His transformation is a visceral manifestation of the ritual's success and the growing power of the Master's cult.
- • To serve as a vessel for Azal's power, thereby amplifying the Master's control over the ritual and the cult's collective energy.
- • To embody the Master's dominance and the cult's devotion, reinforcing their unity and purpose.
- • That his role as a vessel is essential to the Master's success and that his transformation is a sign of the cult's growing power.
- • That his obedience to the Master is absolute and that his purpose is to facilitate the ritual's success.
A state of collective ecstasy and fervor, driven by their unwavering devotion to the Master and the ritual. Their emotions are amplified by the chanting, creating a sense of unity and purpose that borders on the fanatical.
The coven, a unified force of black-robed disciples, echoes the Master's incantations with fanatical precision. Their voices rise in a crescendo of ritualistic fervor, amplifying the Master's command to invoke Azal. Their chanting is synchronized and fervent, creating a hypnotic and oppressive atmosphere that underscores the Master's authority and the ritual's power. The coven's collective energy is channeled into Bok, marking the culmination of their efforts in the ritual.
- • To amplify the Master's power through their synchronized chanting, thereby facilitating the summoning and control of Azal.
- • To demonstrate their loyalty and devotion to the Master, reinforcing their role as his devoted followers and enforcers.
- • That the Master's will is absolute and that their devotion to him is the key to their salvation and power.
- • That the ritual's success is inevitable and that their collective energy will overcome any resistance from Azal.
A volatile mix of triumphant exhilaration and manic intensity, masking a deep-seated fear of failure and a burning desire to prove his superiority over the Doctor and Azal alike.
The Master stands at the center of the ritual, his voice commanding and insistent as he leads the coven in the incantation. His posture is rigid, his tone dripping with authority and desperation, as he demands Azal's presence and obedience. His incantations grow more urgent, culminating in a crescendo of arcane power that manifests in Bok's transformation. The Master's eyes gleam with a mix of triumph and manic intensity, revealing his deep-seated belief in his own invincibility and his willingness to exploit any means to achieve dominance.
- • To summon and control Azal, the last Daemon, to amplify his power and dominance over Devil's End.
- • To demonstrate his superiority to the Doctor by successfully harnessing Azal's energy, thereby proving his worth as a Time Lord and a conqueror.
- • That his will is absolute and that any resistance to it is futile.
- • That the Doctor's interference is a temporary setback and that his ultimate victory is inevitable.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Church Cavern serves as the epicenter of the ritual, its dimly lit and oppressive atmosphere amplifying the Master's incantations and the coven's chanting. The cavern's enclosed stone walls echo the supernatural energies at play, creating a sense of claustrophobia and inevitability. The space is filled with the hum of ritualistic fervor, the air thick with latent power and the promise of destruction. The cavern's role is not merely practical but symbolic, representing the Master's descent into darkness and his willingness to exploit any means to achieve his goals. It is a place of transformation, where the boundaries between the natural and the supernatural blur, and where the Master's ambitions are given physical form.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Master's Inner Coven is the driving force behind the ritual, their collective chanting amplifying the Master's incantations and facilitating the transfer of Azal's power into Bok. The coven's unified action is essential to the ritual's success, as their synchronized fervor creates the necessary energy to invoke the Daemon and channel his power. Their role is not merely supportive but active, as they embody the Master's will and reinforce his authority through their devotion. The coven's presence in the cavern is a manifestation of the Master's control over Devil's End, their collective energy a tool for his domination.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
Across episodes
"The repetition of the coven's chant 'As my will, so mote it be' in both episodes serves as a callback, reinforcing their role as a unified, ritualistic collective that unconditionally obeys the Master's commands."
Master Designates Azal as Chosen Disciple"The Doctor's use of the Venusian lullaby to neutralize Bok (Episode 23) is mirrored by Bok's eyes lighting up as the channel for Azal's invocation (Episode 24), creating a symbolic parallel: the Doctor's defensive magic becomes the Master's offensive magic through the same creature."
Doctor disables Bok with Venusian lullaby"The Master's ritualistic designation of Azal as his chosen disciple in Episode 22 sets up the later invocation of Azal through Bok in Episode 24. The coven's ritualistic chanting and submission to the Master's will in Episode 22 is mirrored in Episode 24, where the coven amplifies the Master's incantation to summon Azal."
Master Designates Azal as Chosen Disciple"The Master's frustration with Bok's initial hesitancy (Episode 23) evolves into Bok being the direct conduit for summoning Azal in Episode 24, demonstrating Bok's escalating role as the Master's enforcer and ritual anchor."
Master tests Bok’s faltering loyalty"The Master's attempt to kill the Doctor via helicopter ambush (Episode 23) is directly followed by his ritual subversion of Bok to summon Azal (Episode 24), reflecting his monomaniacal focus on eliminating the Doctor as an impediment to his goals."
Girton’s lethal helicopter assault"The Master's consistent use of the coven as a ritualistic collective to achieve his goals shows continuity in his character and strategy across episodes. The coven's unwavering obedience and the Master's reliance on their unified power remain constant."
Master Designates Azal as Chosen Disciple"The Master's order to purge the Doctor and his allies in Episode 22 escalates into a more direct and ritualistic summoning of Azal in Episode 24. The coven's role shifts from implied recipients of an order to active participants in a ritual, showing an intensification of the Master's supernatural control."
Master orders the purge"The Master's brutal enforcement of his authority through Bok—summoning it to vaporize Winstanley (Episode 23)—escalates into Bok becoming the focal point of a full-scale Daemon summoning ritual (Episode 24), showing the Master's increasing desperation and reliance on supernatural means."
Master crushes defiance with Bok’s terror"The Master's initial summoning of Azal in Episode 23 (cand_evt_scene_5c8f0ff09a7809d6_01) escalates into a more intense, coven-amplified ritual in Episode 24 (cand_evt_scene_57c4bbb65583443b_01)."
Master invokes Daemon Azal"The Doctor's revelation that Bok is an 'animated construct' and 'far more real and dangerous' than myth (Episode 23) parallels the later revelation that Bok is now a conduit for a literal Daemon (Azal), grounding supernatural horror in a character whose nature has evolved from construct to vessel."
Doctor explains Bok’s nature and threat"The coven's chanting and submission to the Master's will in Episode 22 parallels their later collective ritual in Episode 24, where they amplify the Master's incantation to summon Azal. Both scenes emphasize the coven's fanatical loyalty and their role as a unified force amplifying the Master's power."
Master Designates Azal as Chosen Disciple"The Master's use of the cipher 'As my will, so mote it be' and the coven's response in Episode 24 is echoed in Episode 25 during the sacrifice of Jo Grant, reinforcing the coven's ritualistic role."
Master crushes dissent in ritual"Bok’s existence as a supernatural enforcer (established in Episode 24) directly causes Bert's vaporization in Episode 25 when Bert attempts to approach the church, demonstrating Bok’s immediate lethality."
Bert’s Fatal Test of the Church"The Master's earlier successful invocation of Azal (with the coven's chanting amplification) directly enables his later escalation of the ritual to sacrifice Jo Grant, as Azal is now present and responding to the Master's demands."
Master Sacrifices Jo to Bind Azal"The Master's use of Bok as a channel for Azal in Episode 24 directly leads to Bok's continued role as the Master's enforcer in Episode 25, where Bok actively defends the Master, disarms Yates, and prepares to sacrifice Jo."
Master claims Jo as sacrifice"The Master's absolute authority over his coven in Episode 24 is further demonstrated in Episode 25 when he silences dissent within the coven itself, underscoring his control over the collective."
Master crushes dissent in ritual"The intensity of the ritual escalates from invocation to human sacrifice, with the coven's chanting growing increasingly intense and direct in their support of the Master's demands."
Master Sacrifices Jo to Bind Azal"Bok’s initial activation as the Master’s gargoyle enforcer in Episode 24 escalates into direct, lethal confrontations with UNIT (firing bazookas) in Episode 25, demonstrating growing supernatural threat."
Benton witnesses Bok’s regeneration"Bok’s role as a menacing, invulnerable presence after his activation in Episode 24 is further emphasized in Episode 25 when UNIT fires upon him, demonstrating his supernatural nature despite physical destruction."
Bok demonstrates lethal power"The Master's third summoning ritual through Bok (cand_evt_scene_57c4bbb65583443b_01) sets up the confrontation between the Doctor, the Master, and Azal in Episode 25 (cand_evt_scene_2cc184243ffe875e_01), where Azal's hesitation reveals fractures in the Master's control."
Azal’s Hesitation and the Doctor’s Gambit"Both events show Bok being commanded in ritualistic settings—first as a medium for Azal (Episode 24) and later banished from the ritual space via the acolyte’s warning (Episode 25), reflecting his role as a controlled but expendable tool."
Acolyte warns Master of attackThemes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"MASTER: Eoh evotay."
"COVEN: Eoh evotay."
"MASTER: As my will, so mote it be."
"COVEN: Nemas."
"MASTER: Harken to my voice, oh, Dark One, ancient and awful, supreme in artifice, bearer of power, be present here at my command and truly do my will. Ava, avara, agarbala, gar, gardoal, galdina! As my will, so mote it be."
"COVEN: (Bok's eyes light up.) As thy will, so mote it be!"