Dark Gallifrey: Missy, Part 2

Dark Gallifrey #8

by Rochana Patel

Missy needs to find the Doctor.
However, it's very important it's the right Doctor - she wouldn't want to accidentally slip up and meet an earlier incarnation by mistake, because the consequences of that could be truly catastrophic...

Genres: Doctor Who, Audiobook

Audio CD

First published May 20, 2025

Reviews

[Aeryn Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the jokes in this one more than in the first part—the little bit where she tried to figure out if it was the 12th Doctor and there was the Scottish miscommunication… I loved that bit! And then the Doctor figuring out who she is, was hilarious. I was bracing myself for another “she’s the Rani!” joke, but it was done brilliantly. In a way that was both dramatic and funny!

And, of course, I loved Missy’s ego. And first and foremost… the academy references. I eat them up.

This episode also makes the mystery surrounding the planet more interesting—I found myself a lot more intrigued now that it was related to her meeting the Doctor when she shouldn’t.

And that ending?? OH MY GOD. Excellent. Her lecturing the Doctor on being good? Perfect! And Missy, finally, getting to talk to him like a PERSON. Getting to discuss consequences and be set up for her series 10 vault arc… an actual, genuine conversation between two ex-best friends. I adored this, it is my absolute favourite Missy characterisation of any of the audios.

I had to check that the writer of this episode was the same as the first one, because this one was just so perfectly done and I enjoyed it so much.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the first part of this chapter of Dark Gallifrey had a heist theme, this one feels more like a disaster theme. I wasn’t particularly “getting into” this one as much, even with The (Seventh) Doctor showing up, until I got to the ending. Too bad it’s the ending and I’m not going to spoil it, but it does make up for a lot of what I felt was missing for this second part (middle chapters of trilogies are often the weakest link). I’m going to try and hold off for the concluding part until tomorrow, but I may not be able to wait.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful follow-up to the first part, and very enjoyable.

I don’t know if the story was fabulous, or it’s just Michelle Gomez’s infectious energy when she plays Missy, but this was a joy to listen to.
Having said that, I do believe this may have been one of the best Missy stories I’ve ever listened to.

Missy attempting to keep the timeline intact, with regards to meeting the Seventh Doctor was interesting, as was the idea of this world not working the way every other one does because of the theory the Doctor poses.
And I love how the writer incorporated Missy’s arc from the TV show into this story. She’s still deliciously evil, sure, but she does attempt to try to do things the Doctor’s way, before not being allowed to. And even just the way she speaks to the Doctor in this goes a long way to reference her change in the TV series, (even though her full redemption arc from S10 hasn’t actually start yet.)
Ooh, but I do love Missy tearing into the Doctor a little bit about how his actions (in Remembrance of the Daleks) started the Time War, and how what happened in the War makes all the atrocities she’s committed in her long life look like child’s play.
And that ending scene… was intense.


As a side note, a character says that some Cybermen had fallen to that planet before as well and, because of how the planet doesn’t allow for any technology past steam tech to work, they end up doing nothing but screaming and dying. It’s so sad and a good reminder of how tragic the Cybermen are as villains.

Also, I appreciate that this story gave us Missy’s children’s TV show preference. Now we know that UNIT Master watched The Clangers, Saxon Master watched Teletubbies, and Missy… well, she watches SpongeBob SquarePants 😂 Love it!

[Daniel Cork · Rating 5 out of 5]

So after a long wait, I have finally returned to Dark Gallifrey. I got the last two installments of Missy for my birthday earlier this month, and I've been dying to listen to them.

Five years into the past, Missy and her new friend have found The Doctor's Tardis and his 7th incarnation. But she shouldn't be able to meet him; the time lock and causality should have prevented this. The Malevolence is coming, and it's up to the Doctor and Missy to save a civilization on a world that shouldn't exist.

Rochana Patel has written a terrific script that is action-packed, funny, tense and full of interesting ideas. It was really exciting to see 7 and Missy together and coming to terms with the impossible situation they're in. The cliffhanger to this one gave me chills, very intrigued to find out what happens next.

Overall: A brilliant installment that's a step in the right direction for this range. 10/10

[Ellen Schoener · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to all 3 releases of this mini-series back-to-back.
Loved the performances, Michelle Gomez is on fire!
Fun and entertaining mayhem and lots of timey-whimey-ness.
Missy even gets to kill the Doctor and then fight against herself!
The location of the steampunk-world, watched over by automatons powered by soul-crystals, is also an excellent idea.
This might be one of the better Missy releases out there.
Recommended, if you like totally bonkers and over-the-top characters and Missy mayhem.

[Joseph S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missy is the best evil baddy in any media.

[Sara Habein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missy encounters a Scottish Doctor, but not the one she was expecting. And this really was a meetup I didn't know I needed. They really do argue a good bit about their philosophies.