andraste | Doctor Who: Partners in Crime

Short version: fun!

To get the downside out of the way first: the plot was weak, and far too much of it was ripped off from Invasion of the Bane. I don't mind Doctor Who borrowing from other sources, but stealing from your own spin-off less than a year after the episode screened? That makes it look like you're all out of ideas for contemporary Earth stories.

However, I'm guessing that they just didn't want to waste a good plot on an episode where it wouldn't matter anyway, as the other elements worked well. I thought the infant Andipose were adorable, and will be standing in line to buy a plushie version should one be released *g*. Glad to see them allowed to go on their way, waving cheerfully. Unlike the baby Racnoss, they obviously weren't about to eat the planet, and as the Doctor said it's not their fault their parents and guardians broke the law. I wonder what adult Andipose are like?

The real meat (as opposed to the fat ...) of the episode is in the re-introduction of Donna Noble, and it's fun to have her back. She shows great determination and organisational skill in tracking down the Doctor, not to mention a flair for packing. Loved the hat box!

(Although it would be nice at this point to have a female character in the modern Whoniverse who went out and started having crazy adventures without being prompted to do so by a man. The only one I can think of so far is Maria, who was inspired by Sarah Jane instead.)

The Doctor and Donna are hugely entertaining together, and I roared laughing a the silent conversation scene. I really hope that she and the Doctor remain just good friends - I don't think Martha's crush weakened her character, but I do think it's time for a Doctor-Companion relationship without a romantic element. She seemed sincere in her lack of attraction to him, at least. Am in two minds about Donna's mother - surely it's about time a companion had a mum who fully supports her dreams and decisions? Of course, we've not seen Sylvia's reaction to Donna travelling with the Doctor yet, so I shall reserve judgement there.

As a huge Martha Jones fan, I could not help but applaud when the Doctor spent a considerable portion of the episode talking about her, looking sad, and being down on himself for screwing things up. I knew he recognised her awesome!

As for Rose, I was actually pleased to see her back - it was an effective surprise, and I have no issue at all with her return provided the story arc ends with her moving on with her life apart from the Doctor. Hopefully our favourite Time Lord will get some closure out of the deal as well.

All in all: the episode itself is brought down by a shallow, derivative plot but it augers well for things to come. And speaking of augers: next week, volcano day.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I loved it, too. Donna was all colors of awesome, and I think it'll do the Doctor so much good to have her aboard. As for the Martha mentions, I'm of two minds about them. On one hand, it's good for the Doctor to miss her and to realize she's brilliant and regret that things went wrong. On the other hand, it wasn't all his fault. Martha's a big girl; she made her own decisions, and while falling for someone whose heart isn't available is a bitch, it doesn't ruin your life unless you let it. Furthermore, Martha's life was hardly destroyed, even halfway, and she'd kick him in the shins if she knew how he was moping. She had an equal part in things going wrong--hell, he was giving almost visible "I'm not available" vibes--and on the whole, I think she'd say her time on the TARDIS was worth it.

I mentioned to

selenak that VotD confirmed for me that Martha did indeed do the Doctor some good. In S&J, he was into his "I'm best alone" BS, and it took five episodes for him to shake out of it and invite Martha to come on full-time. In VotD, though, he's obviously hungering for company and invites Astrid along, and it's only her death that sends him back into his morose determination to be alone. Fortunately, Donna's an irresistable force. I'm so looking forward to seeing them shake up space and time together!

I think the "I ruined half her life" didn't refer to him not requiting Martha's feelings, or even things like landing her (inadvertendly, but still) with horrible three months in 1913 - it referred to what the Master did to her family. Remember, the last thing the Doctor remembers of the Jones' - though not Martha - is all of them haunted and devastated after a year of horrors. And that wouldn't have happened if Martha had not been his Companion. Yes, it was the Master's doing, but I can understand why the Doctor would feel responsible.

That was my interpretation, too. While I'm sure Martha would agree that her time in the TARDIS was worth it for her, I'm not sure she would think it was worth what happened to her family.

Quite. She is in a very different position to most Companions there, including the newer ones. Who'd wish something like this on their family? And the Doctor witnessed it; he lived with the Jones clan on the Valiant, so he knows even better than Martha how horrible it was for them.

Like Selena, I interpreted the 'ruined half her life' line as the Doctor feeling guilty about what happened to the Jones family. Not that I think it's his fault, but I can see why he'd blame himself for that. I agree that Martha was partly responsible for the situation she found herself in re unrequited love, but as we know she did make the sensible decision in the end. As the Doctor's mopey (not to mention egocentric) interpretation of events, his statement worked for me.

Fortunately, Donna's an irresistable force. I'm so looking forward to seeing them shake up space and time together!

I already get the feeling that he and Donna are going to be perfect together, in the Best Friends Forever sense.

Doctor Who: Partners in Crime

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