The return of Doctor Who for its fourth modern series in 2008 marked a new chapter for the Tenth Doctor, but one steeped in delightful familiarity. Partners in Crime, written by Russell T Davies and directed by James Strong, aired on 5 April 2008 and brought back fan-favourite companion Donna Noble, played once again by Catherine Tate. Their reunion kicks off a season brimming with wit, warmth, and heart—an episode that leans into comedy without sacrificing emotional depth. Rewatching it in 2025, it still sparkles with charm and cleverness, and the pairing of Tennant and Tate proves to be one of the best in Doctor Who history.
The opening act is deceptively low-key. The Doctor and Donna are separately investigating Adipose Industries, a seemingly benevolent weight-loss company with a suspiciously rapid success rate. Their paths keep nearly colliding in a clever game of near misses and mistaken timing, brilliantly played for comedy. It’s a slow build, but it gives the audience time to reacquaint themselves with Donna—this time a little less brash, a little more thoughtful, but still uncompromisingly herself.
Catherine Tate shines from the first moment. Gone is the one-off guest companion of The Runaway Bride; this is a Donna with agency, drive, and an emotional depth that grounds her comedic energy. She’s not chasing the Doctor out of romance or adventure-lust—she’s seeking meaning, a chance to live a life less ordinary. That choice makes her one of the most relatable and grounded companions the series has produced.
David Tennant, meanwhile, continues to bring effortless charisma and subtle complexity to the Tenth Doctor. This is a slightly lonelier Doctor than we’ve seen before, perhaps a little more careful with his emotions after Martha’s departure and the events of Last of the Time Lords. The joy he expresses when finally reunited with Donna—played through the instantly iconic mimed conversation across office windows—is pure Doctor Who gold. That scene alone encapsulates what this pairing offers: joy, comic timing, and an emotional honesty that elevates the show.
The plot itself is wonderfully absurd in true Russell T Davies fashion. Adipose Industries’ miracle diet pill literally causes fat to walk away from its hosts—in the form of sentient, waddling white blobs called the Adipose. Visually, the creatures are adorable rather than horrifying, an intentional choice that allows the episode to skirt around the more grotesque implications of its premise. It’s a risk that pays off: the story remains family-friendly while still offering enough science fiction intrigue to satisfy long-time fans.
Miss Foster, played by Sarah Lancashire, is an entertaining villain—more corporate executive than megalomaniac, but with enough menace to keep the stakes real. Her nanny-like demeanor and no-nonsense cruelty make her a memorable addition to the rogues’ gallery, and her demise—being hoisted away into the sky by the very creatures she nurtured—is poetic and darkly comic.
There’s an important thread running beneath the whimsy: the idea of loneliness. Donna’s quiet desperation is palpable in moments like her conversation with her grandfather Wilf, beautifully portrayed by Bernard Cribbins. Her sense that life is passing her by, that she missed her chance with the Doctor once and might never get another, resonates deeply. It’s a surprisingly mature emotional underpinning for a story that also features fat monsters doing a little wave.
Wilf himself is a lovely addition. His star-gazing, his belief in his granddaughter, and his sheer delight at seeing the TARDIS for the first time—all these elements plant the seeds for deeper connections later in the series. Watching now, with the full arc of his story in mind, adds an emotional richness that might have passed unnoticed back in 2008.
The final moments of the episode are among the best of the revived era. The TARDIS door open wide, Donna tossing in her suitcase before walking in like she always belonged—it’s a triumphant, earned moment. And the callback to Rose, watching silently from the shadows, remains an effective twist. Even knowing what’s coming, it hits with nostalgic weight.
Rewatching Partners in Crime in 2025, it remains a confident and joyful reintroduction to both Donna Noble and the tone of Series 4. It knows when to laugh, when to tug at the heart, and when to dazzle with a bit of science fiction magic. As a start to the new season, it hits all the right notes—reminding us why this pairing worked so well and setting the stage for what will become one of Doctor Who’s most beloved runs.
No comments:
Post a Comment