In Review: Big Finish: Dark Gallifrey: Missy Part 1

Synopsis: Great events ripple across time. Soon, because of Dark Gallifrey, the renegade Time Lord known as Missy will be able to achieve the impossible.

On a remote and isolated planet, where technology cannot progress beyond steam-power, two thieves are on the run. Hunted and trapped by automaton policemen, they look certain to hang for their crimes.

Missy is about to drop into their world. Their lives will change forever, as is the fate of their entire planet.

Review: Dark Gallifrey: Missy Part 1 was the bonkers Steampunk starter of the latest arc. I hadn’t realized how much I missed Missy or this range.

Story

Writer Rochana Patel crafted a love letter to multiple genres. In addition to Steampunk, listers also got a heist caper coupled with Dickensian social commentary.

Along the way, Patel gleefully embraced characterization and world-building. I particularly enjoyed the pub’s piano player and Lord Voltaire.

Best of all, the mystery at the heart of the story is palpably a mystery. Granted, the involvement of Dark Gallifrey limits the narrative avenues to a certain degree.

That said, suspense lies in which of those narrative avenues Patel has chosen. Further complicating matters, Missy’s best frenemy was a Chekhov’s gun throughout.

I can’t wait to hear which incarnation ends up on the scene. Indeed, Dark Gallifrey could ultimately facilitate a version of the Doctor we’ve never before encountered.

I’m also keen to find out how Patel pays off Mortimer’s fourth wall breaking. She seems to have set that up as an additional Chekhov’s gun. 

Acting

The entire cast was wonderful. However, I must single out two performances. 

First, Jonathan Case was delightful as Mortimer. I enjoyed the fine line he found between canniness and idealism.

Of course, Michelle Gomez played off Case and her other co-stars with gleeful abandon. As always, she brought lightness to the dark and darkness to the light.

Overall

Once again,  Dark Gallifrey: Missy Part 1 has me hooked. I can’t wait to hear what happens next.

You can purchase Dark Gallifrey: Missy Part 1 here.