📝7/10

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time! 

"Missy and the Time Assassin: Time Travel Shenanigans with a Twist"

David Quantick kicks off the Bad Influence set with Missy and the Time Assassin, a delightfully chaotic tale that pairs Missy with James Blakelock, a time-traveling assassin with a mission to rewrite history. It’s a story brimming with humor, sharp dialogue, and Missy’s trademark unpredictability, though it leans heavily on its comedic tone rather than deeper narrative stakes.

Blakelock’s introduction is immediately compelling—his energy, charm, and morally ambiguous methods make him a standout addition to the Whoniverse. His mission to prevent Gavrilo Princip from assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand is a perfect setup for chaos, as his interference ultimately ensures the event happens. This establishes Blakelock as both competent and flawed, a perfect foil for Missy’s calculated madness.

Missy, as always, steals the show. Michelle Gomez is in top form, delivering her signature blend of wittiness and malevolence. Her fangirling over Blakelock adds an unexpected and hilarious layer to her character, showcasing a side of Missy we rarely see. Together, Missy and Blakelock form a dynamic duo with razor-sharp banter and plenty of chemistry.

The story shifts gears when the pair team up to assassinate Nero XIII, the Nova Roman Emperor. The plot takes on a The Romans-esque vibe, filled with humorous mishaps and over-the-top antics. However, while the comedy lands, the narrative feels less focused, with the assassination plot serving more as a backdrop for the interplay between the two leads.

Paterson Joseph shines as Blakelock, bringing warmth, humor, and a touch of desperation to the character. His performance balances well with Gomez’s Missy, creating a partnership that is as entertaining as it is volatile. The supporting cast of alien characters adds some variety, though the sound design occasionally overdoes it, making some voices harder to follow.

Thematically, the story riffs on the classic Doctor-versus-Monk dynamic, with Blakelock attempting to "fix" history by targeting unsavory figures, while Missy—surprisingly—aims to preserve the timelines. This twist adds a layer of irony, as Missy, usually a disruptor, finds herself acting as the voice of chaotic order.

The climax is predictable but satisfying: Blakelock’s true mission is revealed as an attempt to eliminate Missy, only for her to outsmart him. Her gleeful betrayal lands him in prison and leaves her stranded on Earth, setting up potential for further hijinks.

Final Thoughts:

Missy and the Time Assassin is a fun, fast-paced romp with excellent performances from Gomez and Joseph. While its plot lacks depth and coherence in places, the humor and character dynamics make it an enjoyable listen. It’s classic Missy—chaotic, clever, and just a little bit mad.