Review: Doctor Who Season 4 Episode 2 - Partners In Crime

The second episode of the fourth season of Doctor Who brings back Catherine Tate in her role from the Season 3 Christmas special as Donna Noble. This episode has both the Doctor and Donna separately investigating a "revolutionary" diet pill.
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Tate's role in Runaway Bride was largely comedic which worked fine for that episode, but I wasn't at all sure how that would translate with her as a regular companion. That worry was accentuated by the early stages of this episode which definitely seemed to emphasize the comedy.

The whole concept of this one is a little ridiculous and the look of the Adipose is hard to take seriously. I also felt that while keeping the Doctor and Donna apart was initially amusing, it became strained as they kept referencing it.

The episode did get better as it went on, but still it wasn't one of my favorites, the comedy level was a little too high. I think Donna Noble will work out fine as a companion. The fact she has no romantic feelings for the Doctor should make her an excellent foil for him.

Unfortunately though the most interesting thing about this particular episode was that final scene and what it could possibly mean. In that way it's a typical Russell T Davies episode. Good ideas, flawed or simplistic execution.