Dark Gallifrey continues with Michelle Gomez reprising the role of Missy in an audio drama cleverly titled Missy: Part One. This is the latest rather compelling Doctor Who spin-off series from Big Finish Productions. This episode is written by Rochana Patel and directed by John Ainsworth.
The supporting cast is comprised of Bruce Alexander, Jonathan Case, Amerjit Deu, Jon Edgley Bond, and Paksie Vernon.
For the uninitiated in this series, Missy is the female iteration of the villainous Time Lord known as the Master. She arrives on a remote planet in the midst of a heist by two thieves. The Doctor was known to have visited this world, and a play commemorating the visit is being performed. Missy, at the moment, is unfettered by the Doctor’s intervention, so she can find something of a better nature or indulge her more malicious instincts at her leisure.
I was initially quite skeptical of this whole notion of turning the Master into a woman when it first came to pass on the television series. It’s still not my favorite direction for the series, but I have to admit that Gomez does put forth an engaging performance. As usual, Big Finish can take something the television series has introduced and turn into something that is usually more palatable to the ears.
Missy also seems to be acquiring a companion, mirroring her more crusading counterpart, which would be interesting as this trilogy progresses.
As expected, the cast does keep up quite effectively, and the sound design is expertly done. Patel seems to relish the chance to write for this psychotic whirlwind now known as Missy and puts that enthusiasm on display.
Dark Gallifrey seems to be sticking around for a while, and I plan to continue collecting them. Welcome to centerstage, Missy!
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