Doctor Who: The Doctor’s Attitude Towards Missy Doesn’t Fit

At this point in her time on Doctor Who, it may be fair to say that the Doctor still does not quite know what to make of Missy. Yes, as the latest incarnation of the Master, he knows what she is capable of, and what she has done before. However, in her latest form, the relationship between the long standing rivals has changed. Instead of being the frenemies that they had been in the past, there is something else there.

That relationship shift with Missy and the Doctor has even carried over to Clara. After watching Missy vaporize members of her security detail, Clara quickly swept that detail aside and worked with Missy to locate the Doctor. While this would be, in theory, a matter of working with someone just to achieve a mutually beneficial result, just associating with someone that is a proven psychotic murderer is bad by association.

Missy’s general justification for her strange and bizarre behaviors is equally peculiar. To her, this is just ‘flirting,’ and she thinks nothing of those she kills. To her, murder is as commonplace as changing socks or having a beverage. Some people read or go online when bored; Missy kills random people.

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Yet, while this happened yet again in The Magician’s Apprentice, the Doctor and Clara continued to joke around and chat with her as though she was a regular companion. Granted, the Doctor and Clara likely realize that is simply who she is, and that she will never change her ways. However, for someone that is considered to be a savior to the multitudes, spending time around Missy, and accepting her behavior, would be contrary to his mission in life.

Yes, Missy is a fun character. Michelle Gomez is a great actress, and has truly brought this character to a level that another actress may not have been able to. That does not mean that she is someone the Doctor should be condoning the behavior of. After all, one is typically judged by the company they keep, and for someone who was so consumed with the question of whether or not he was a good man, being around someone like Missy is counter-productive.

Missy is a great addition to Doctor Who, and she would certainly be interesting as a companion if the Doctor could rein in her murderous tendencies. However, as she currently is, the Doctor should avoid hanging around with her too often if he wants to be considered a good man.

Next: Ten Most Shocking Moments from the Magician's Apprentice