User Reviews

This is an excellent episode for the beginning of a new season, with a new companion to boot. Like many people, I mostly remembered Donna for her constant screeching in Runaway Bride, so I appreciate that she now seems both more cheerful and yet somehow... muted. I really like how her reunion with the Doctor is introduced, and their silent conversation across the villain's interrogation room is a hoot --one of my favourite scenes on the show actually. Finally, as someone has already suggested, having the Doctor travel with somebody who is quite immune to his charm will be a nice change --and I can't wait to see how he's going to handle Donna (and vice versa)! This is also the first time the Doctor acknowledges how miserable he made Martha last year.

As for the "main" plot, it is not very memorable, but then again season openings seldom are --they are not supposed to be about the alien-of-the-week anyway. Yet even on paper, this one beats a mannequin attack (S1) and a rhino hospital-jacking (S3) any day. If you ask me, using a weight-loss pill to spread an alien invasion is brilliant --and a deliciously grim statement on our society. Besides, the happy ending is an interesting variation on what happened in Runaway Bride; and I like me a cute alien once in a while --almost makes you want to keep that fat and cuddle it! Last but not least, I enjoyed the episode's quick pace, quirky dialogues and the sheer absurdity of some scenes. Oh, and obviously, that gasp-inducing moment at the end. Talk about a teaser.

So for many reasons, including said gasp-inducing moment, I recommend viewing this as a second chance for every character in Doctor Who.

Ahh here we are again, only this time some things have changed one of the things being the arrangement of the theme tune. Murray Gold I love the work you've done in the past but this is a bit too much change it back.

Luckily that's my only complaint.

Much like last year opener "Smith & Jones" this one hits the ground running as we see Donna Noble (from "The Runaway Bride" played by British Comedy Star Catherine Tate who clearly ain't bovvered) doing some freelance investigating of a new weight loss drug from Adipose Industries, presided over by Miss Foster (Played with cool, steely authority by Sarah Lancashire) who promises that after taking the pill "The fat just walks away." Unbeknownst to Donna, The Doctor (David Tennant still in top form, and in the same suit) is conducting an investigation of his own and after a series of hilarious near misses (the best of which revolving around a printer) The Doctor and Donna are reunited from across the room with a scene that is a triumph of pantomime between Tennant and Tate.

Frankly the only thing I was interested in seeing was Donna and where she's been and what she's done since we last her, but most importantly what will it be like when she finally says yes to The Doctor. and with that in mind "Partners in Crime" was mission accomplished.

Truth be told I would have disappointed if the B Story (Miss Foster and the Adipose) overshadowed the reunion between The Doctor and Donna. If then were now and all the stories were in feature length serial format then I'd have no gripes about the B-story occasionally taking center stage.

But seeing as all we get is 45 minutes I'd rather focus on what's important in the story and that is The Doctor and Donna. So I'm glad RTD downplayed the menace and ironically the creatures weren't even the menace. I liked that Miss Foster was an amoral midwife who is willing to kill millions of people to be Super Nanny and that the Adipose parents actually disapproved of her methods when it contravened the shadow proclamation.

however that wasn't the important focus. what was important was that we see that Donna actually has grown up considerably in The Doctor's absence and that she has actually become braver and more confident and ready to take on the perilous life of a companion. I was impressed how she was able to infiltrate Adipose industries with a bit more grace than The Doctor and she practically used the exact same methods he did.

Another refreshing aspect is the last scene. The script takes the time to assure the audience that we are not going to have another infatuated companion but instead just a best friend.

"I just want a mate." "You just want TO Mate!?" "I just want A mate." "You're not mating with me, sunshine!" "A MATE I want A MATE!" "Well, that's good. Cause I'm not havin' any of that!" If there's anything the script did so well was to make you feel Donna's wanting and her regrets and it's also refreshing that she has a family member (Bernard Cribbins, scene stealer from "Voyage of the Damned") who encourages her to pursue that life as opposed to the overcautious family members from before.

In any case, for me, the only way an episode could be truly bad is if it lacks repeat value. And for New Who luckily the only ep that has that problem is Daleks in Manhattan and Evolution of the Daleks, and some of the eps from Series 1 of Torchwood (Cyberwoman and Combat specifically) But I re-watched Partners In Crime shortly afterwards and wanted to watch it a few more times. The episode gave me exactly what I wanted from a Season opener and left me ravenous for what promises to be a one of a kind series largely due to the new dynamic between Doctor and Companion.

I was surprised that this episode was so poor. I liked Donna's appearance in the Christmas episode, but in this episode, she seemed almost completely different and didn't really appeal to me at all. I did think the baby aliens were cute, and I liked Donna's grandfather. I don't think I'm going to especially enjoy having Catherine Tate as a recurring character on the show.

I was planning on giving the episode a 3/10, until Rose showed up. She is my favorite companion of this series so far (well, she and Captain Jack, but fortunately he has his own show), and I was disappointed to see her go. I'm glad she's back, in whatever form.

Well I've been a fan of Doctor Who since David Tennant started as his light hearted approach to enemies always cheered me up in sadder parts of the episodes, not that I don't enjoy the drama it's just that too much down and dismal talk can be depressing. I always did like Rose Tyler as she could bring a lot of feeling to the episode but I think the Doctor needed something more, someone who was in it to be a best friend instead of something more. I see Donna and the Doctor as siblings rather than lovers. Bringing Donna back was one of the best moves of the series, I couldn't endure another series of Martha flirting with the Doctor in every single episode! I think this episode was purely for the meeting of the Doctor and Donna as the Adipose plot was not a hugely interesting or exciting one but I think if it was all of the attention would be drawn from the excellence which is Donna finally finding the Doctor again. My favourite part was probably when they say each other. Catherine, who is obviously known for her comedy sketch show, has always been great as Donna and made me laugh very much when miming to the Doctor through the door. Also, as someone else has said, adding in the lines about the Doctor just wanting "a mate" and Donna mistaking it for something else and becoming offended was needed to show anxious viewers that this series was not going to be another 13 episodes of flirting.

Season 4 kicked off with 'Partners In Crime', a Russell T.Davies script reintroducing the character of 'Donna Noble', last seen in 'The Runaway Bride' 2006 Christmas Special. Having changed her mind about travelling with the Doctor, she is now trying to track him down. He is investigating the activities of 'Adipose Industries', currently marketing a new miracle diet pill, designed to make the fat 'walk away'. Literally. In reality though, the pills' customers are being turned into breeding fodder ( courtesy of give-a-way pendants that when twisted caused Adipose activation ) for a race of 'Mister Men' like aliens. Not evil as such, the Adipose's only downside was that their birth would kill a million innocent people.

Having managed to avoid each other for much of the story, the Doctor and Donna finally spot one another from afar ( he is on a window cleaner's cradle at the time ) and, in a highly amusing scene, pool their information using mime. This leads to the first of several chases, and a climax involving the arrival of ( guess what? ) a giant space-ship. It ended with Donna stepping aboard the Tardis, and waving goodbye to her amateur astronomer grandfather Wilf ( Bernard Cribbins ), last seen in 'Village Of The Damned'.

'Crime' has a strong 'Sarah Jane Adventures' ( the pilot episode 'Invasion Of The Bane' in particular ) feel to it - a sinister alien conspiracy, a spaceship over London, and a female villain in glasses ( 'Miss Foster' played by Sarah Lancashire ). It is hardly vintage 'Who', but an adequate starting point for Season 4. The Adipose are the worst thing about it, like the Slitheen they are hopelessly ineffective as a menace. I am not a big fan of Catherine Tate ( I hate her show ), but as 'Donna' she is a welcome breath of fresh air after the younger 'Rose' and 'Martha'. Her awful home-life is represented by her mother ( Jacqueline King ) ranting at her: "You're not going to meet someone with a magic wand!" ( oh no? ). One of the nice things about this season was that it connected Cribbins with a young audience again, something that had not happened since 1973's 'The Wombles'.

First of all, I'd like to state that I prefer the Classic series to the new one. I'm also not a fan of Russell T Davies. However, I decided I was going to try my best to enjoy this episode, especially since Donna was coming back, and I liked her. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this episode. Davies said that he thought the cute monsters made a surreal experience, but I thought they just looked silly. I never got the feeling that there was any real danger. And the scene at the end with Rose, what was that? I heard they are going to "tease" us with Rose cameos until she makes a real appearance. I guess this would work better if I thought the character was as special as everyone seemed to think. So 4 out of 10 for some good characterization, but not much else.

OK, i'll confess, i skipped the third season. The poorly written action and the hurried, confusing dialogue didn't help me adapt. So, it was with great anxiety that i prepared to watch the opening of the fourth season. Although, i had loved Catherine Tate in the Runaway Bride and had utmost faith in her.

And thankfully, Doctor Who stunned. Catherine Tate replays her role of Donna with ease, the sarcasm and wit she portrays gives the series a bit of a lighter edge. She and David Tennant have a sparkling chemistry and this pulls easily along. Partners in Crime is quite laid back, and we see just how creative Doctor Who can get. Bernard Cribbins is delightful as Wilf, Donnas grandad who encourages her to see the stars. Balls of fat running around may raise some eyebrows, but it really is a light hearted start to the series.

I detect fantastic things to come! 10\10!

This episode of doctor who was good. It wasn't the best episode of doctor who, but it wasn't the worst episode either. It did get a bit silly at times, but the main villain was quite good, and Donna Noble's return was good.

The best scene was definitely when Doctor and Donna first met, it was really funny and there was a surprising cameo of Rose Tyler at the end.

The adipose were silly and cute, and the episode was a good opener to the series.

We're in Pompeii next time, and it's volcano day!

From, Me;-)

After waiting for the return of Doctor Who since June last year, we get a gigantic, steaming pile of crap from Russel T. Davies. This man is an absolute lunatic who just should not be writing for a science fiction/fantasy series, and especially not for Doctor Who. He's gotten over himself and written some decent scripts in the past, but this is just about all I can take from him and his super-sized ego.

So get this, we have 'cute' monsters made from living human fat. Yes, living human fat. Then we have a pantomime villain, another spaceship hovering over London (Davies is at this point not only really NOT listening to the fans, but it appears he's trying to annoy us), and loads of cute little monsters crowding the streets. Dear God. Even the worst of the Sylvester McCoy years at least was earnest rubbish, this is just insulting.

Thanks for bringing the show back, Russel. Really, thanks a lot. Thanks for your better scripts too, I enjoyed those. Now please leave. Apparently he is set to leave following this series and the specials. I cannot wait. I just cannot wait.

Insulting tripe.

1/10

Donna Noble is determined to find the Tenth Doctor again - even if it means braving the villainous Miss Foster. But when the alien threat escalates out of control, can Donna find her Time Lord before the March of the Adipose begins at last?

Well, this is a weird start to Series 4. Had some funny moments when 10th and Donna were talking to eachother window to window, lol. I quite like the character development of Donna, she went from a shouting women to a better person. The plot was strange and felt fast-paced.

What surprised me about this episode is that I didn't see Piper's cameo coming, lol.

Anyways.

8/10, I guess?

I really do enjoy the character of Donna Noble and am glad she was brought back for season 4. The season opener, however, while definitely entertaining, was a bit of a letdown, tho arguably better than her initial appearance.

The super nanny villain was kinda lame to be honest and the pseudo-science behind the "living fat organisms" was sketchy at best (and yes I know it's fiction but still, the camp of it all). And the journalist woman was rather irritating.

Still a fun episode tho and a delight once again to see Donna's humorous interaction with the Doctor (all the near misses were fun too). But overall this episode was all fat and no substance (I had to put a pun in there, I had to). 7.5/10

Partners in Crime is simply ICONIC & I did not stop beaming from start to finish whilst rewatching.

Russell picks up Donna's story from where we last saw her in "The Runaway Bride", beautifully captures the fact that reality doesn't meet our expectations or hopes for life & uses that disappointment with monotonous normality as a a catalyst for her personal desire to truly go travelling with the Doctor, immediately grounding her perceptible motivations in something tangible & relatable - giving a perfect justification for behaving in the way that she does, proving as to why he's so essential in her life, validating her actions whilst also equally depicting the Doctor's self imposed solitude, showing how complicated relationships have led further to his isolation & thus, she is just as much the perfect solution to his current dilemma of loneliness as he is to hers.

Hence, they're the perfect match as both have the same aspirations & a longing for simplicity whilst travelling alongside one another. The dynamic is pure, untainted & without hidden intentions which is why - still to this day - it remains so faultlessly perfect, brilliant & captivating. They're acquaintances - reunited at last after much introspective consideration & development - who've grown & matured since they last met until finally, they can become inseparable friends & it's a joy seeing them finally reach this pivotal moment in their lives.

What's more, Catherine Tate & David Tennant have amazing on screen chemistry together, playing off each other incredibly with such vibrant & infectious energy. Furthermore, their comedy timing is assisted with a brilliantly funny & humorous script gifted to them by Russell T Davies - who delivers one hell of a strong launch in to his fourth & final series - debuting with a very human & wholesome romp that has heart.

Did I also mention the brilliant foreshadowing, world building & THAT plot twist? Like I said, ICONIC.

This was a bizarrely comedic episode for an opener to a series but as the episode is reintroducing Donna Noble played by comedian Catherine Tate it actually makes sense.

For me personally some of the comedy elements worked whilst others didn't land as well. The comedy gold was the Doctor and Donna's first meeting, both actors played it to utter perfection and that scene will forever live rent free in my head until the day I die.

I really liked the sincerity Catherine Tate brings to her character and I must confess I kind of forgot about. Initially watching her back in the day when this aired I really wasn't a fan. I found her loud, obnoxious and gobby and I feel now I judged her too harshly. Don't get me wrong not all of her jokes or rants work for me but I do enjoy her quieter more emotional scenes where she brings a fragility to the character.

The Adipose creatures are kinda cute but overall just come off as goofy. I really don't get what they were going for in terms of story in this episode. Making alien babies from people's fat is definitely out there and it just is silly really. Sarah Lancashire was also pretty forgettable which is a shame as she is a very good actress who was ultimately wasted in this silly episode.

Oh and truthfully I completely forgot about "ghost Rose" looking very glum and ominous before disappearing. I genuinely can't remember where this storyline goes so looking forward to that unfolding.

This was a bizarre episode to say the least it was good, not the best in the world but still good. Those little fat creatures were rather cute but the whole plot about a evil nanny trying to turn humanity into alien babies was kind of odd, and didn't make too much sense to me. But I enjoyed the episode and that's all that matters.

"Partners in Crime" is the weakest season intro of NuWho so far. The plot about the Adipose is weak and I had no interest in it whatsoever, minus the cute fat monsters. The best thing going for this episode is the Doctor and Donna reuniting and the character development handed to both characters. The Doctor realizing he was lonely and talking to an empty TARDIS was probably the highlight of the episode- tied with the amazing cameo of Rose at the end. Like the Doctor, Donna also has touching characterization. Her disdain with the mundane has led her to be a better character. She is less whiny than in "Runaway Bride" and she cares about things bigger than herself. The great character moments of the Doctor and Donna, along with the right amount of humor, the great reunion moment between 10 and Donna, and Rose's surprise cameo save this episode's otherwise week plot from being wholly awful.