"Partners in Crime"

The opener of the 2008 season is a jolly tale about a miracle slimming cure with some rather unusual side effects. Of course, the Doctor is interested, but we also see the return of the Runaway Bride herself, who has regretted her decision to not accompany the Doctor on her travels. The plot is quirky and easy enough to follow and, again, does not centre on an invasion of Earth, which is refreshing. The major niggle I have is that the Doctor and (especially) Donna’s involvement was the only thing that made the Adipose plan an actual threat- true, the Doctor does point this out, but a little guilt would have been nice. However, the writing is as good as ever, with the story being pitched as more of a light comedy- scenes of the Doctor and Donna missing each other are well staged and gags and great lines flow like wine. "Partners in Crime" doesn’t have to introduce a new character, but this does not mean that there is no character work- Donna is cannily written as being on the other side of a divide from Rose. Rose is young, but can see only a life of chips and TV in front of her, whereas Donna is in her mid-thirties and has the additional feeling that life has passed her by (Martha has purpose and a future even before she meets the Doctor). This means that her joy at being reunited with the Doctor is palpable and felt by all of us.

James Strong again helms the show with great skill in an episode with some stunning scenes. The Adipose babies are lovable, without being unbearably cute, and the CGI of them swarming (assisted by Weta Digital) is jaw-dropping. I love the Close Encounters inspired space-ship at the end and Stacey’s dissolution into Adipose. However, the best scene involves no special effects at all- the wordless conversation between the Doctor and Donna when they first meet. The performances are excellent, with Sarah Lancashire being great as villainess Miss Foster. The legendary Bernard Cribbins returns, with his character revealed as being Donna’s grandfather in a very likeable performance. However, it is the return of Catherine Tate that attracts the most attention. Here she is less brash, but still full of the same spirit she had in "The Runaway Bride". She is very likeable throughout, and I had no problem with spending the next 14 weeks with her. David Tennant clearly enjoys working with her and their on-screen chemistry is wonderful.

So it’s off into time and space again for new adventures- but hang on; who’s that girl?

NEXT: "The Fires of Pompeii"