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

“A Spoonful of Mayhem: Missy's Mischief in Victorian London”

Roy Gill has the distinction of penning A Spoonful of Mayhem, the inaugural Big Finish story for Missy. This adventure dives straight into the bonkers, chaotic persona of Missy, brought to life by Michelle Gomez’s sharp, sassy, and delightfully unhinged performance. Right from the opening moments, Gomez commands the narrative, reveling in Missy’s trademark unpredictable charm—even when ostensibly bound to someone else's agenda.

Set in Victorian London, the story feels like it could slot seamlessly into a Capaldi-era episode, with Missy taking on the role of a nanny for two children. Unsurprisingly, this unconventional arrangement leads to mayhem, hilarity, and chaos. The Victorian setting is atmospheric, but the narrative execution struggles at times.

The script leans heavily on characters narrating their actions, which feels clunky and unnatural, particularly for the two children at the story’s core. Their dialogue often fails to capture authenticity, a shame given how much of the plot hinges on their interaction with Missy and their perspective on her peculiar mission.

While the premise is fun and full of potential, it doesn’t quite reach the heights it aspires to. The "genie in a bottle" subplot, for instance, feels underdeveloped, leaving it more as a curiosity than a compelling central element. The third act, set aboard a train, becomes chaotic and muddled, leading to a rushed and unsatisfying conclusion.

📝Verdict: 6/10

Missy’s debut story captures the character’s essence with Michelle Gomez’s stellar performance, but the overall execution feels uneven. A promising start to Missy’s Big Finish journey, though it could have benefited from tighter writing and more polished storytelling.

Such a really fun riff on Mary Poppins, with Missy's more devilish side providing some darkly comic moments. This is *exactly* the story I was hoping for from a Missy spin-off.