As the Doctor himself might well observe, time is a strange thing – sometimes a day can take what feels like a year to pass, and months can pass in what feels like a few minutes.  So here we are – another year has passed, only four months since Voyage Of The Damned, and we arrive at the premiere of Series Four, Partners In Crime.  This series also heralds the return of Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, the runaway bride – a decision which seems to have caused some controversy and divided opinion right from when it was announced, so there was a lot riding on this first episode, possibly more so than if the Doctor had resumed his travels with a completely new companion.

 

When we last saw Donna Noble, she had turned down the Doctor’s offer to travel with him, but promised to go out and see the world and “walk in the dust”.  Nearly two years later, we return to find that not much seems to have changed – originally working as a temp in Chiswick, it appears that she is still doing just that, working in Health & Safety for a company called Adipose Industries.  However, when the Doctor arrives, also posing as Health & Safety, it becomes apparent that things are not quite as they appear – neither of them are actually working there, it’s merely a ruse to allow them to investigate further.  Donna realises that she made a big mistake in not taking the Doctor up on his offer, and has been waiting for him to return so they can pick up where they left off.  Her family are concerned about her, she’s had to move back in with her mother, is unemployed, and seems to have reached a dead end – she wants to find the Doctor, but when you’ve got all of space and time to search through, where do you start?  This idea of dreams unrealised and past regrets runs throughout the episode - Donna’s story really struck a chord with me and I felt a real empathy for her character.  Her main confidante is her granddad, Wilf (who the viewers remember as the newspaper seller that the Doctor and Astrid met in Voyage Of The Damned) – she explains to him why she’s waiting and who she’s waiting for, and Wilf never judges her, but tells her to go out there and find him.

 

This scene reminded me very much of a comment that Russell T Davies made in last year’s Doctor Who Confidential – the reason why he’d become a fan of Doctor Who as a child was its believability, because he used to imagine that you could walk round a corner and find the TARDIS parked there, with the Doctor inside waiting to whisk you away for an adventure.  It’s this believability that sets the programme apart from others like Star Trek or Battlestar Galactica, and the reason why Donna’s quest to find the Doctor doesn’t seem in the least bit strange or unusual.  If nothing else, the episode is a message that we should all search for our own Doctor, and follow our dreams, because who knows – they may well come true.

 

Considering the constant media reports of growing obesity levels, the idea of Adipose Industries’ miracle diet pills is a topical one – how many times have people said that if they could take a pill that would make them thin overnight, they would take it?  Unusually, the Adiposian grand plan (to incubate thousands of babies to send back to their home planet) doesn’t involve the takeover or destruction of the Earth – if Miss Foster had left the babies to gestate in their own time, then everyone would have benefited, as the humans would have lost weight, but stayed alive.  It was only when she speeded things up that people began to die.  Miss Foster, clearly based on Supernanny, looks like a cross between her and Anne Robinson, but it’s difficult to see what she will gain from the plan – she’s banking on the Adiposians taking her back with them to her home planet to look after the babies, but she’s surplus to requirements (not to mention an accomplice in an illegal practice), and quickly disposed of.

 

There are several sly digs at journalists in this episode – one caught snooping at Adipose Industries narrowly escapes becoming another incubator, but when she asks the Doctor what’s really going on, he tells her to “make it up”.  He releases her, only for Miss Foster to recapture her later, and is forgotten about until the end of the episode, when she has to make her own way out (still tied to a chair, but otherwise unharmed).  A reference to journalists and newspapers revealing storylines in advance and speculating on future casting decisions, perhaps?

 

Generally speaking, the first episode of each new series belongs to the Doctor’s latest companion, introducing them, their back-story, and the series of events that leads to them meeting the Doctor.  Rose and Smith And Jones were no exception, but in this episode, the Doctor seems to take more of a backseat that usual.  Indeed, he and Donna are largely separated – both in the same places, but just missing each other, an ingenious plot device which, whilst very funny, was also a little frustrating in places.  However, it culminates in the hilarious scene where they finally meet, but silently speak to each other through the window, which was one of the funniest scenes in the episode.  The main difference between the three episodes is that, while Rose and Martha met the Doctor by accident and were swept along by events, Donna is actively seeking him out, and also has a better understanding of what travelling with the Doctor entails (although it could be argued that in The Runaway Bride, Donna was also caught up in events, albeit very reluctantly).

 

The Doctor, meanwhile, is in quite a subdued mood – having told Mr Copper in Voyage Of The Damned that it’s better if he travels alone, he seems to have had a change of heart(s), shown by the poignant scene where he starts explaining some complicated science and forgets that he’s talking to an empty console room.  He clearly feels bad about the way things ended with Martha, and seems very reluctant for anyone else to travel with him in case they too want more from him than he can give.  Obviously it’s not his fault – he can’t help the way other people feel about him – but he tells Donna that he just wants a friend (after an initial misunderstanding).  The episode also finds the Doctor at his most vulnerable, actually admitting to Donna that he’s lonely, which I can’t remember him ever doing before.  With Martha, he was still missing Rose, but didn’t let on how much he was hurting.  This might be because of the age difference – Rose and Martha were both slightly younger than this regeneration (even though the true age difference is a lot more), but Donna is a similar age and has had more life experience.  During the promotional interviews, Catherine Tate pointed out that Donna never forgets that the Doctor is an alien, which is why she’s not interested in him romantically – although outwardly he looks the same as everyone else, which is perhaps why Rose and Martha, being younger, overlooked this and thought that they would be able to overcome it in an actual relationship.  Of all the Tenth Doctor’s travelling companions, the only one who he could have formed a relationship with is probably Astrid, since she was also an alien, but outwardly again looked a similar age.

 

This new dynamic of friendship really works – the Doctor seems to be more relaxed and able to be himself around Donna, and is able to talk honestly to her about Rose and Martha.  Donna is horrified by the very idea of being anything more than his friend, and since they’ve both set their stalls out early on, there shouldn’t be any confusion later.  I think this has breathed new life into the programme – in The Runaway Bride, Donna was probably the first companion who really didn’t want to be there, which again made for a brilliant episode, and I’m sure that she’ll continue to challenge and perhaps even argue with the Doctor in the episodes to come, which is exactly what he needs.

 

By far the biggest shock of the episode was the return of Rose – it had already been announced that she would be returning for the last few episodes, but no-one was expecting to see her this early on.  What was she doing there?  From the look on her face, she must have been looking for the Doctor as well, but from the way she faded away, she must still be in the parallel universe, but somehow managed to cross over.  In Doomsday, the Doctor said that the Cybermen had crossed into this world by “bleeding through the fault lines” caused by the Daleks’ use of the Void Sphere – we know that at least one Dalek (Caan) has survived, so could this have happened again?

 

I was never in any doubt that Donna’s return was a great idea, and after watching this episode, I’m delighted to be proved right – Catherine Tate’s performance was excellent, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Donna grow and develop over the course of the series.  She and David are perfectly matched – both a similar age, from similar acting backgrounds (both started in theatre), and they clearly get on very well both on and off-screen, as shown during the promotional interviews they’ve been giving this week.  In The Runaway Bride, Donna came across as slightly shallow, self-obsessed, and unable to focus on the wider picture, but her initial time with the Doctor has changed all that.  The scene with her granddad on his allotment was extremely touching and very well-written, with Donna in an almost wistful mood as she wishes that she hadn’t let the Doctor fly away.  It looks like this series will have many more lighter moments, which with Catherine’s comedy writing and acting background will not be a problem at all.  I laughed a lot during the episode and enjoyed it all the more for it – the Doctor had been in a very dark place pretty much since the events of Doomsday, and it was great to see him in a happier mood – long may it continue!

 

It goes without saying that it was fantastic to have the Doctor back, and David’s performance was just as brilliant as we’ve come to expect – full of energy, but also with a sense of weariness at his isolation, which dissolved when he and Donna were reunited.  The scene where he explains to Donna about the situation with Martha and tells her that he just wants a friend was my favourite of the episode – both touching and funny and the same time.  The only moment that bothered me slightly was where the Doctor once again underestimated his companion’s intelligence by telling Donna that she wasn’t clever enough to know that they needed two of the capsule necklaces to override the Adiposian controls, whereby she promptly produced one – similar to the scene in The Shakespeare Code where he told Martha that Rose would know what to do, but she wouldn’t.  Granted, being a Time Lord and of alien intelligence means that he is cleverer that most humans, but sometimes it’s not intellect that’s needed, it’s forward-thinking, so I’m sure that this won’t be the only time that Donna will prove she’s more than a match for the Doctor.

 

This was a cracking start to the series – the programme has really hit the ground running, and shows no signs of going stale as we enter its fourth year.  With every episode boasting high-profile guest stars, it proves just how popular the programme has become, and surely cannot be described as a ‘cult’ any more.  We’re promised an incredible finale as the programme prepares for its hiatus next year, and with Rose’s reappearance, I’m sure the tension and buzz will start to build from here.

 

 

Zoë’s Rating:     9/10

 

 

Name: Alex Werra | Age: 15

 

So, it’s finally that time of year again, where the whole family gather on the sofa and settle down to the perfect Saturday night in. It’s the time when in my opinion Britain’s finest television writer, and one of our finest actors (on so many levels), make Saturday evening television worthwhile once again.

Right, the general overview of the plot. The Doctor finds himself back in familiar surroundings, present day London, where he is investigating the launch of a new diet pill “The Adipose Pill”, which claims the weight simply “walks away”.  The Doctor is not alone in his concerns as Runaway Bride, Donna Noble also suspects foul play, and is just waiting for a chance to meet the Doctor once again, and join him on his travels. Miss Foster, the spokesperson for the Adipose Pill, is naturally the mastermind behind the little Adipose babies that are being formed out of the human fat. Once the Doctor and Donna are reunited they must find a way to stop her from inducing the labour of Adipose children, as they could kill over one million humans.

I was slightly dubious as to how good this opening episode “Partners in Crime” was actually going to be. Firstly because I’ve been looking forward to this day for so long, it had to be amazing to make it worth the wait, and secondly because I wasn’t too sure about Catherine Tate as the new assistant. My suspicion was that Catherine Tate was going to gallivant around making irrelevant jokes and turn what usually is a quality piece of drama into a farce.  I forgot about Russell T. Davies skill in getting the balance in his characters quite right.

Although I feel the story didn’t have quite as much impact as it possibly should have done, I completely take back any preconceptions about Donna. The fact that extra depth has been added to her character, and a family, all be it a small one, has been introduced (including a highly eccentric but charming grandfather) has given Catherine so much to work with. She delivered her more serious moments very convincingly, in particular a very moving scene where she was pouring her heart out to her grandfather, who seems to connect with Donna, about her hopes of meeting the mysterious Doctor again.

Of course, when Catherine Tate does comedy, it is truly hilarious, and I have to admit that I think the best scene in the whole episode was when the Doctor and Donna saw each other through the window and door, and mouthed a whole conversation: it was pure genius. Also towards the end of the episode where she is standing in the doorway of the Tardis and the Doctor tells her how he “just wants a mate” and she completely gets the wrong idea and replies “You just want to mate!” god, I wish I could act like her, and write like Russell.

I was disappointed in the fact that there wasn’t really a monster in this episode. I strongly believe that a series opener needs to have a monster that will make you go wow, not aww. Which is what I found myself doing as the little marshmallow like baby Adipose were slipping and sliding everywhere. I understand that the focus of the episode was on that of the reunion of Donna and The Doctor, and finding out how the Doctor is feeling at the moment, but if you think about it, every series opener we’ve had, had decent monsters for example, Autons, the Cat-People, and The Juddoon. It really did just feel like an introductory episode. I did like the idea of the story, it just wasn’t as effective as it could have been, and I’d have liked Miss Foster to have been a bit more like The Slitheen, in the sense that she was more of a monster, but covered up, and not killed off quite as dismissively. Also, Penny Carter was just a bit too pointless after the initial use of her to cover up Donna. She should have been a bit more involved in the episode.

I thought I would be safe since it was the first episode in the series, but Doctor Who has done it to me once again. As soon as I saw a woman with blonde hair I just knew it would be Rose, naturally, as it’s me, I did this thing where I laugh hysterically and then cry at the same time. I’ve seriously got a problem, I’m too involved with Rose and the Doctor being together, she didn’t even have to say anything and I’m in floods of tears. It was easily the most powerful moment in the episode.

And finally, last but obviously not least I shall comment on David’s performance. For me, he can’t put a foot wrong, because he actually lives and breathes his role. I like the new, more humane side to his character that has been developed, thanks to Martha who “fancied him”. Martha, you are definitely not the only one.

My favourite line: “I’m in Church,” “What are you doing in church?” “Praying.”

I’m going to give “Partners in Crime” 7/10.

 

Name: Fiona Taylor | Age:13

Partners in Crime is a comic and entertaining episode which sees the Doctor and Donna reunited, in the first instalment if the Fourth Series of Doctor Who. The episode starts with Donna going to investigate Adipose Industries, where she finds out (after attending a lecture) that Miss Foster (who is in charge of the company) has created a weight loss pill that has been sold to a million people in London. After the lecture, Donna goes to the house of one of Adipose Industries’ customers (once she had obtained the address from the company) and starts asking her questions about the pills she is taking. Donna finds out that Stacey (the customer) is having no side effects and feels fantastic. However, Stacey goes upstairs to the bathroom, and when Donna comes to check on her, she hears her scream for help. Once Donna manages to force open the locked door, she sees Stacey’s clothes on the floor, with Stacey herself nowhere to be seen. Donna (and the Doctor) need to find out what is happening to the takers of the pills, before things take a turn for the worse…

I really enjoyed this episode, as it had some very funny moments and was the perfect way to reintroduce Donna to Doctor Who. The acting was excellent, especially from the lead characters, and the miming sequence between the Doctor and Donna being the highlight of the episode. The script was very funny, but in some parts quite serious, such as the dialogue between Donna and her grandfather. I absolutely loved the baby Adipose, as they were really sweet, even though they were made out of people’s fat, organs and bones!

The plot was perhaps a bit weak, but the way it was executed made up for this fact and helped to hide it. Most of the special effects were good, but the some parts of the scene in which Donna and the Doctor go down the side of the building looked slightly fake.

My favourite quote from the episode was said by Donna, “You’re not mating with me sunshine!” I think that this sets the tone for Donna and the Doctors relationship, which is obviously going to be very different!

Overall, I really enjoyed this episode, which had some great comedy moments. My rating for this episode is 9/10.

 

Name: Julie Bayman | Age: 53

I have a confession to make; when I heard that Catherine Tate’s Donna Noble was going to be the Doctors new companion, my heart sank.  I have nothing
against Catherine, she seems lovely and is a very funny lady, I just didn’t like Donna in The Runaway Bride the 2006 Christmas special.  I am very happy to say though that after watching Partners In Crime episode one of the new series that my opinion has changed, her character has mellowed and I liked her.  At the end of The Runaway Bride the Doctor invited Donna to travel with him and she declined, a decision she later regrets.

Episode one began with Donna, dressed in a smart suit, disguised as a health and safety officer, investigating a dodgy slimming pill company.  She was hoping that the Doctor might have the same idea.  Little did she know that as she walked in through the main entrance the Doctor was entering the building via an emergency exit at the back of the building.  He was also pretending to be a health and safety officer and (using his psychic paper of course!) he called himself John Smith.  What follows is a series of events where by the Doctor and Donna just miss each other as they move around the building, until they eventually spot one another eavesdropping on a conversation in one of the rooms.  The Doctor is on the outside of the building looking in and Donna is peering through a window in a door.

The company that they are investigating is called Adipose Industries and it is run by an alien called Miss Foster, who has a calm voice and will do anything to protect her babies.  She is in Donna’s words a sort of ‘intergalactic super nanny’.  She is using human fat to breed babies for an alien race.  Humans take the slimming pills and the fat just walks away – literally, lumps of fat (adipose) fall from their bodies sprout arms and legs and walk away.  Sadly for one person the Adipose absorbs the whole of her body and there is nothing left of her.

After a short and very funny miming scene through the windows from the Doctor and Donna, Miss Foster spots them and they make their escape.  “Oh my god, I don’t believe it, you have even got the same suit - don’t you ever change!” Donna tells the Doctor when they meet.  As they are trying to make their escape Donna goes into a long speech about what she has been doing since she last saw the Doctor, he has the same look on his face as he had when Donna first appeared inside the TARDIS dressed as a bride ranting to him to get her to the church. As Donna helps the Doctor to save the day, she
tells him that she regretted declining his offer, “What offer?” the Doctor replies, “To come with you”, “Come with me?” questions the Doctor with a bewildered look on his face and they are interrupted by the sound of a spaceship arriving over head.  It looks like something out of Close encounters and it has come to collect the baby Adipose who are lining the streets waiting to levitate up to the ship.  Sadly after learning that they have broken the law, the aliens decide that they no longer need Miss Foster and they drop her like a stone; they turn off her levitation beam.

At the end Donna produces a mound of luggage from her car (I thought this was very Donna!)  she is clearly exited about returning to the TARDIS.  The Doctor however seems not to sure about the idea, he explains about Martha and tells Donna “I just want a mate”.  “You just want to mate, you’re not mating with me sunshine!” replies Donna in horror.  The confusion is soon cleared up and after calling him a “Long steak of alien nothing”, the Doctor tells her that he would love to have her traveling with him.

This episode was all about reintroducing Donna back to the TARDIS.  We also got to meet her mother again (I wonder if she will slap the Doctors face when she meets him) and her lovely eccentric Grandfather who was last seen in The Voyage Of The Damned, although we didn’t know he was her Grandfather then.  I liked the lovely scene between Donna and her Grandfather as they looked at the stars and Donna told him to look out for a blue box.  I also
sensed the Doctors loneliness when he was talking to himself inside the TARDIS and he looks up and realizes that there is no one there, just the vast space of the TARDIS.  Of course the biggest shock was seeing Rose at the end and then she faded away, through a crack in time maybe?  Everyone performed well in this episode and D.T. has the same enthusiasm as he had when he first started playing the role of the Doctor.

I thought this was a good start and I think I shall look forward to more of Donna.  Marks:  8/10

 

Name: Emma Jane Shepherd | Age: 35

Well what a start to the new series!  This episode ticked all the boxes.  It was exciting and witty and acted beautifully.

Catherine Tate as Donna is more than a match for the Doctor with her attitude and need for adventure.    I think he is really going to have his handsful this series as she is more antagonistic that his previous assistants.   I am also really pleased that there does not look to being a romantic storyline between the Doctor and his Assistant this time.   Although those particular storylines were written wonderfully well and lead to some magnificently funny and touching moments I think the time was right for a change and for an Assistant that didn't fall madly in love with the Doctor is happy to oppose his views and give him some grief!    Catherine Tate was wonderful in the first episode and there was a perfect comic moment in the Adipose offices when they were talking to each other through windows in opposite doors over the opposite sides of the building.   It is outstanding writing again to be able to write well different genres including comedy, sci-fi, thriller etc.,

David, of course, has reprised his role of the Doctor wonderfully well.

Sarah Lancashire was fantastic as the evil "Supernanny"  I noted she even dressed similarly again wonderful acting and good humour.

Also I wanted to mention how good it is to see Bernard Cribbins back.   My generation and ones before will remember from all sorts of programmes and the Radio and he is a national treasure and it is good to see him back.

The story itself was good and strong enough and thoroughly enjoyable but I am really looking forward to next week's storyline.   The opening episode definitely bodes well for the rest of the series it has lost none of its touch.  The big moment was the re-appearance, albeit briefly, of Rose Tyler at the end.  The writers have obviously got some real tricks up their sleeves for the series and I cannot wait.

7 out of 10