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Doctor Who retro review: Partners in Crime

By James Aggas

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Today marks ten years since Donna became a full-time companion of the Tenth Doctor in ‘Partners in Crime’! How well did the reunion of these two go?

Partners in Crime had quite a job to do, as the opening of series four. Unlike previous series opener Smith & Jones, it wasn’t simply introducing a new companion. It was re-introducing a character who had been created to be virtually unlikable: Donna Noble.

In her previous appearance The Runaway Bride, Donna didn’t exactly come across as ideal companion material. Arriving in the TARDIS literally immediately after the Tenth Doctor said goodbye to Rose, she was introduced as someone who wasn’t meant for the TARDIS life.

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Throughout her first episode, Donna complained, she didn’t want anything to do with the Doctor, and was often very loud. When she had been announced as the new companion to replace Martha, fans were skeptical, to say the least.

So when Partners in Crime was broadcast exactly ten years ago, how well did it work at making Donna more appealing?

Separate investigations

Russell T Davies took a great approach with this episode. Because Donna was already known to both the Doctor and the audience, Davies really got to have some fun. Instead of working together from the start, the Tenth Doctor and Donna aren’t reunited until halfway through the episode.

This allows for two key elements of many Russell T Davies stories: humor and great drama.

It has to be pointed out that the humor is played in a really light way in Partners in Crime. There’s a great deal of physical comedy that’s played for laughs, especially with Ten and Donna. Moments where they keep coming close to seeing each other, such as standing up in plain sight, but at different times, are hilarious to watch.

Maybe these moments aren’t what Doctor Who should be all the time, but they’re perfect for a light-hearted series opening episode. Episodes like Partners in Crime, Rose and Smith & Jones are perfect examples of how Davies would begin a series with a bit of light relief, before taking a darker turn with later episodes.

However, it’s not just for comedy that makes Ten and Donna’s separation work so well. We also get to see what each one is like without the other, in moments of quiet but beautiful drama. The conversation that Donna has with her granddad Wilf, in only his second appearance on the show, is rather sweet to watch. A scene with Ten explaining what’s going on to an empty TARDIS is equally effective.

A hilarious reunion

All of this buildup eventually pays off when the two characters are finally reunited. And of course, it’s done absolutely hysterically. Both Ten and Donna are amazed to see the other, even while they can’t hear each other. It’s a moment that highlights both Tennant’s and especially Catherine Tate’s comedic skills.

It’s also refreshing to see how much their relationship has changed, but very naturally. When Donna first met the Doctor, she didn’t want to be there, having arrived unwillingly in the TARDIS on her wedding day. Even at the end of the episode, she wasn’t sure the life was for her.

But now it’s over a year later. She’s had time to think about what a unique opportunity it is to travel with the Doctor. She’s even tried having adventures without him, but it didn’t work out.

So while in some ways she hasn’t changed, she’s also more open and more aware of what’s going on. And she knows how to help the Doctor, when he needs it. It’s very satisfying to see. She still has a lot more growth to do, but that’s what the rest of series four is for.

Miss Foster

It should be pointed out how fantastic Sarah Lancashire is as Miss Foster. She’s a very effective villain. Always polite, always nice, but always sinister.

To be honest, the only disappointing thing about the role is that it isn’t a larger one for Lancashire. She’s a brilliant actress, and plays exactly the kind of villain that you want to see more of.

And, while she’s far, far, far saner, her character shares some qualities with the later villain Missy. It’s a real shame that she was killed off at the end of the episode, as Miss Foster had real potential for longevity.

Next: Review: Eighth Doctor Adventures: The Beast of Orlok (audio)

Partners in Crime was a great way of reintroducing Donna. It was light and funny enough to focus on Catherine Tate’s comedic strengths, but it also had some nice elements of drama, to hint at what else she could do. Add to that a great villain, and some hints of what’s to come – including a huge surprise return towards the end – and you’ve got yourself a nice little re-introduction episode.

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