O'BSERVATIONS: RASSILON MATCH

So much happened in the season finale of 'Doctor Who' that will be the spark not only for further discussions but also for possible fanfic - the team-up of Clara and Ashildr/Me in their own stolen TARDIS, especially.  But for me, the fixation is on the return of Rassilon, once the supreme leader of Gallifrey....

From the TARDIS Data Core:

Rassilon was, alongside Omega and the Other, one of the founders of Time Lord civilisation and widely regarded as the single greatest figure of Gallifreyan history. He was generally considered the first Time Lord, though some believed that distinction belonged to his compatriot Omega. In his own time, Rassilon was chiefly an engineer and architect but once he had left his mark, most of Time Lord society hailed him as a hero. Other Time Lords contended that Rassilon was a corrupt megalomaniac who tried to murder his friend Omega and stole his invention to build Time Lord society. During the Last Great Time War, he returned to lead the Time Lords to battle theDaleks, and tried to find ways to break the Time lock and escape the war. After the Doctor saved Gallifrey, Rassilon tried to get information on the prophecy of the Hybrid out of the Doctor and execute him, but was overthrown when the military sided with the Doctor. Rassilon was banished from Gallifrey at the end of the universe as a result.

I think the Grand Moff has set up Rassilon to return yet again to the series, perhaps as a recurring villain to add to the Doctor's gallery of rogues.  The show can't keep returning to the Master/Missy as the only individual nemesis.  Rassilon would definitely have a score to settle with the Doctor after his banishment.

If he was free to come back, I think Donald Sumpter should get another shot at playing the former President.  Since Rassilon probably made sure he had quite the surplus of regenerations when the Time Lords brought him back to fight in the Time War, the role could be taken by just about any other actor.

Here's a Super Six List of actors who could be considered:

1) Hugh Bonneville

2) Owen Teale

3) Nicole Walker

4) Julian Rhind-Tutt

5)  Charles Dance

6) Helen Mirren

BCnU!