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“DARK GALLIFREY: MISSY, PART 3 – CROWNING GLORY?”

Rochana Patel brings the Dark Gallifrey: Missy trilogy to a close in a tale brimming with alternate timelines, interwoven identities, and a decaying diva determined to dominate. Picking up from the grim ending of Part 2, this final chapter sees the many Missys of Opus Tooli converge for a climactic showdown with the mysterious Malevolence. Or at least, that’s the intention.

Following the war-ravaged chaos of previous episodes, Princess Alisa and Scratch now try to turn the Malevolence’s robot armies against it, salvaging parts to rebuild a dying, skeletal Missy. It’s as grotesque as it sounds—especially when Missy’s charred remains start moving again, driven by vengeance and mischief.

THE MANY FACES OF MISSY

Patel makes full use of the time-splintered nature of Opus Tooli, allowing multiple versions of the same characters to exist simultaneously. This leads to plenty of interesting, if occasionally confusing, interplay—particularly with Missy, who is seen here in three incarnations: the skeletal Robotic Missy rebuilt by Alisa, the “original” Missy from Part 1 now brought back to help, and Princess Alisa herself, who crowns herself Queen and is revealed to be yet another Missy variant, albeit one far more just and noble than her other selves.

This is conceptually rich and leans into the story’s underlying theme of identity and self-corruption, but the plotting occasionally struggles to keep track of itself. It’s easy to lose sight of which character is which; which version of Scratch and Alisa we’re currently dealing with—though that’s arguably part of the intended disorientation.

THE MALEVOLENCE FIZZLES OUT

While the premise promises an epic conclusion to the battle against the Malevolence, the actual climax arrives with a whimper. The much-teased war is over in just a scene or two, offering no real catharsis or payoff. Worse still, the preceding build-up doesn’t generate the tension it needs to; the story feels like it’s treading water rather than building to something grand.

Even Robot Missy feels like an afterthought here, sidelined in favour of the Queen Missy, who gradually emerges as the most engaging presence in the story. Meanwhile, the original Missy is given a chance to reassert her dominance in the aftermath, pulling the strings behind the scenes and ultimately escaping with both allies and a wicked little grin.

A CURIOUSLY STRETCHED FINALE

Rather than ending with the battle, the story continues for a prolonged third act, letting Missy tie up loose ends, execute a few enemies, and discover a tantalising clue about a secret world she’s not supposed to find—one that gestures towards the broader Dark Gallifrey arc. Unfortunately, the pacing here feels slack, and the final act is padded rather than punchy.

PERFORMANCE OVER PLOT

Michelle Gomez, as ever, is magnetic in the title role—whether snarking at herself, dancing on bones, or sniping at more moral versions of her character. The supporting cast is equally strong, with Scratch and Alisa given plenty to do. The sound design is immersive and helps sell the surreal, war-torn world of Opus Tooli, even if the script never quite lives up to its sonic backdrop.

📝THE BOTTOM LINE:

Missy: Part 3 boasts strong performances, clever ideas, and some macabre Missy moments, but it falters in execution. A flat climax, convoluted structure, and an overlong denouement mean this trilogy ends not with a bang, but a mildly amused shrug. It’s entertaining in parts, but the Malevolence deserved a bit more menace. 6/10.