Doctor Who: Partners in Crime
Apr. 6th, 2008 03:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
andrasteShort 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.
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.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-06 11:28 am (UTC)Yes! That pleased me so, so much, and made me feel a lot more mellow re: Martha's good-bye.
Also, the comedic elements of the episode worked quite nicely, I think. Since Dr. Who's Kid TV roots are always quite visible, I tend to prefer the few more tightly written drama or horror plots (The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, Human Nature/Family of Blood, but also Blink and the Season Three Finale Two-Parter), but Tate's talent is obvious; she and Tennant play off each other quite marvellously.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-06 11:41 am (UTC)I assumed at the time that the reason he didn't tell her how wonderful she was was that he didn't want to give her reason to stay, having come to think that it would be better for her if she left. His 'she was brilliant!' remark fits in perfectly with that *g*.
Also, the comedic elements of the episode worked quite nicely, I think. Since Dr. Who's Kid TV roots are always quite visible, I tend to prefer the few more tightly written drama or horror plots (The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, Human Nature/Family of Blood, but also Blink and the Season Three Finale Two-Parter), but Tate's talent is obvious; she and Tennant play off each other quite marvellously.
I think the most broadly comic parts of the episode were the bits that worked best, actually, from our leads popping up out of the cubicles like pinstriped meerkats to Donna's luggage. So, so looking forward to The Unicorn and the Wasp which is apparently a commedy - seems like it's really going to play to the strengths of this TARDIS team.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-06 12:21 pm (UTC)I assumed at the time that the reason he didn't tell her how wonderful she was was that he didn't want to give her reason to stay, having come to think that it would be better for her if she left. His 'she was brilliant!' remark fits in perfectly with that *g*.
Oh yeah, absolutely; I just hate this kind of send-off behaviour--it's condescending as hell, to assume that if you just treat somebody else badly, they'll be forced to leave, instead rightfully assuming that once all intents or lack thereof are communicated, the other one will just make her own choice and go.
I think the most broadly comic parts of the episode were the bits that worked best, actually, from our leads popping up out of the cubicles like pinstriped meerkats
Perfect simile! And I agree.