Taking a leaf out of the Monk’s book, Missy tries to attract attention by fiddling with Earth’s timestream…

For various reasons recently, I’ve not found a great deal of humour in things I’d normally find funny, but Gemma Arrowsmith’s terrific take on the Gunpowder Plot, and Missy’s attempts to rewrite history despite the best efforts of a novice Time Agent, has put a smile back on my face. Michelle Gomez sounds like she’s having the time of her life as Missy fiddles with all the various elements of the Plot, and, inevitably, finds herself outwitted and history pretty much staying on course (that’s really not a spoiler!).

The idea of a Time Agency that regularly polices key points in history because they attract time travellers like wasps to jam is fun and Ony Uhiara’s Rita is a character I really hope we get to hear again – likewise Philip Pope’s boss. Ben Fox’s Catesby and Christopher Hatherall’s Guy Fawkes play into the expectations of the script and there’s a good blend of period detail and deliberate anachronism.

Iain Meadows’ sound design and Joe Kraemer’s tympani-laden score help maintain the gravitas allowing Missy’s lunacy to shine, and Ken Bentley gives the story the impetus it needs at key points.

Verdict: A very enjoyable take on a key moment of history, suitably enlivened by Missy. 9/10

Paul Simpson

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