In The World Is Not Enough, M’s restrained response to Elektra King’s offer of a “gift” is a great summation of my opinion on having M face-to-face with any Bond villain and the scene underscores why placing M directly opposite Bond’s villains has always felt misguided.

It’s difficult to ignore the impression that these scenes were written to showcase Dame Judi Dench’s undeniable acting ability rather than to serve a compelling plotline. While her performances are consistently excellent, staging confrontations between M and Bond’s primary antagonists like Elektra King and later Silva in Skyfall was never particularly satisfying.

Yes, both villains had direct, personal connections to M, and those links provide narrative justification on paper. But in practice, the head of a global intelligence service should be among the most insulated individuals in the world. Such a figure would be surrounded by layers of protection and likely entirely shielded from direct exposure to danger.

Allowing M to repeatedly face Bond’s enemies in person strains credibility, so from now on, how about M remains on comms and only Bond makes it to the frontlines?