Back in the Game
“Partners in Crime,” the first episode of Doctor Who’s fourth season (or series, depending on which side of the pond you’re on), is a beacon of delight compared to the majority of the episodes on its sister show, Torchwood. David Tennant, back in the lead role, effortlessly moves through his scenes with panache. Catherine Tate is back in the role of Donna Noble. Originally planned to be a one-off appearance in the 2007 Christmas Special, Donna is here for the entire fourth season. Honestly, I couldn’t be happier!
It is a breathe of fresh air to have the companion be someone who isn’t in love with the Doctor. Instead of unrequited love, we get a superstar comedy team (at least in the capable hands of Russell T Davies), bouncing from one problem to the next, bickering happily as they save the world (and London’s dieters) from annihilation.
Davies manages to strike just the right balance of comedy and poignancy. The Doctor and Donna’s hijinx is tempered by the sweeter moments Donna has with her grandfather. With any luck, we’ll be coming back to earth to visit Donna’s granddad in a few episodes. He seems like he’d definitely be up for fighting some aliens or saving the world.
And, finally, Davies picked the perfect way to do a send up of dieting and the crazy lengths people will go to to get thin without being crass. He continues to be one of the best writers on television and I eagerly await the next twelve episodes.
I really thought this episode was a great starter to the series! It was so funny how the doctor and donna met, and how they kept missing each other.
Feel free to check out my ratings for each episode here:
http://axm1992.wordpress.com/2008/04/15/doctor-who-episodes/