Recapping the Mysterious Missy
Connor Johnston catches us up on Missy and each of her appearances so far before the big reveal.
10 weeks ago in the closing moments of the Twelfth Doctor’s first adventure, “Deep Breath”, we were introduced to the enigmatic and satanic like figure: Missy, Guardian of the Nethersphere. In one short scene the entire fandom were thrown into a wild blizzard of speculations, theories and crazed allegations. Who was this sinister Mary Poppins? Where does her role fit into the series? And most importantly: Which brand of tea does she favour?!
Over three quarters of a series and 5 cameos later, Missy’s identity still remains as much of a mystery now as it did 10 weeks ago – but how many hints and clues have we really been given through the series? In the final lead up to the secret revealing 2-part finale, join me as we take another look at Missy’s mysterious apparitions and open the discussion on her own identity. Before we begin, you can watch a compilation of Missy’s cameos below in a stunning fan made finale trailer below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx-F4dz1BrY
Deep Breath – Welcome to Heaven
What we learnt: As Deep Breath came to an end, so began a brand new story arc – with our Mistress of focus today at the centre. Throughout the entire episode, the words “The Promised Land” had been riddled through the script in particular through the dialogue and motivations of the Half Face Man. However it’s not until the final moments that this mysterious destination is seen in all its floral glory. Following on directly after his death – be it at his own hand or the Doctor’s – the Half Face Man against all logic awakens once more. Head of the Paradise Welcoming Committee is Missy, a chillingly polite Mary Poppins-esque character who has an unnatural obsession and a sense of possession regarding the Doctor. Being the scene that lit the flame and went on to explode the fandom, Missy’s first appearance raised more questions than any other scene that we’re exploring today. Who is she? What is her connection to the Doctor? And what is the Promised Land?
Into the Dalek – Tea with Gretchen
What we learnt: For the second week in a row, Missy returned and acted suspiciously hospitable to the recently deceased. Something is so sterilised about her kindness that it feels instantly sinister – not unlike the handbots from Series 6’s “The Girl Who Waited” (Interestingly filmed at the same location as this scene). Obviously being only the second time she appeared on our screen – our knowledge on both her motivations and identity remains somewhat limited – however her collecting of Gretchen did support the (soon to be disproved) theory of those sacrificing their own lives for the sake of the Doctor.
The Caretaker – A Busy Morning
What we learnt: After a three episode break, Missy returned much to the audience’s surprise in an intriguing new scene featuring some ground-breaking revelations. Astoundingly, Missy is not alone in her mission. Seb, portrayed by Chris Addison, joins the divine posse – his role briefing the now deceased police guard on his current predicament. One of Seb’s lines in particular stands out: “Skovox Blitzer, sounds like… we’ve had a few in from that” as it seems to insinuate that whatever force is snatching up the dead is collecting ALL departed souls; therefore disproving early fan theories that the only persons gathered were those who have gave their lives for the Doctor. The setting as well is a departure from the indulgent gardens – hinting at a more clinical interpretation of the afterlife. The new environment also seems to birth another theory among the fandom: Lots of round things, an excessive amount of doors and a hallway that seems longer on the inside… Are we looking at a more updated model of a certain time capsule? Through one of the doors a very exasperated Gatekeeper emerges… and to answer Seb’s fourth wall breaking question: Yes, we have lots of questions!
Flatline – Clara, Clara, Clara…
What we learnt: As ‘Flatline’ drew to its close, it was obvious to the audience that a new focus being explored is the effect the Doctor and his life has had on Clara. The question is asked: How long until the excuses she’s come so prone to making for the Doctor’s actions become the excuses she learns to make for her own? But it’s not only the Doctor that’s had a role in shaping Clara’s person. In a hauntingly sinister twist: Missy is back and reveals that she’s had a bigger part to play in Clara’s life. Clara Oswald’s role in the show is once again a role of mystery… but as the new “Dark Water” trailer clarifies, all is soon to be revealed. To many, this scene basically acts as a confirmation to Missy being the woman in the shop that ensured Clara and the Doctor’s path crossed so long ago due her line: “I have chosen well”. However this isn’t the only clue to Missy’s identity that we can salvage from this short cameo. The stream she appears to be watching looks to be through the eyes of either the Doctor or the TARDIS, her referring to Clara with a sense of possession supports this. Speaking of eyes, a certain Cyberman symbol is clearly evident on the door behind her and in turn undoubtedly connect the 2 main villains (?) of the finale. And so the plot thickens.
In the Forest of Night – Surprises
What we learnt: An episode I like to call “The Unorthodox Fairy-tale” of Series 8, “Into the Forest of the Night” takes a step out of its plot momentarily to reveal Missy sitting extremely invested in the current turn of events. Once again she watches a stream of live actions – this time the consumption of the earth by solar flares. Contrasting her own words (i.e. her love of surprises), Missy seems somewhat disappointed at the fact that Earth was saved. Could this possibly shed light on her frustration at the conclusion of “The Caretaker” where, by the combined efforts of The Doctor, Danny and Clara the Skovox Blitzer is stopped and therefore she is robbed of more victims to collect? Once again her constant eye on current events (a very God like quality) could be through the viewpoint of either the Doctor or the TARDIS and also stresses her own dependency and usage of technology. “Well that is a surprise…”
And with that we catch up to the current level of knowledge at the disposal of the fandom regarding Missy’s identity. With the epic series finale beginning in only hours it seems our questions will be answered. So where do your thoughts lie?
Feel free to talk about your final theories, ideas and opinions in the comments below!
