DW 4/30 Partners in Crime

[selenak]

First of all, as somene who liked The Runaway Bride most of all three Christmas Specials, I just must say in advance: I ♥ Donna! So I'm not even pretending not to be prejudiced in her favour.



As with all previous New Who seasons, it was a light-hearted comedy season opener. This one had a very low death toll for this show ("only" one human and alien each) for this show, and plenty of saved people both human and alien, plus the first non-evil aliens in a while, except for their "nanny". Trust Rusty to make evil Mary Poppins the villain of the episode. Lots of slapstick - RTD using his communication across the room via signs and mimicking from Casanova again, and I must say, Catherine Tate is way better at it than Laura Fraser - , but the serious character moments weren't missing, either. Martha references for the win, all of them, and the other continuity stuff was lovely, too, from digs about the Titanic nearly crashing Buckingham Palace as a hoax to Donna bringing up the Raccnoss. Though I must say, Donna, that comparison is a bit unfair - the Raccnoss were about to devour the planet, as opposed to the Adipose. Still, good reminder that Donna has been exposed to the Doctor's scary side on their very first encounter (and I don't think Rose ever saw that side of him, not even in Dalek). Her change of mind regarding not taking the Doctor up on his offer of a tour through space and time was believable for me regardless, and I loved that she couldn't just go back to her old life and started investigating and adventuring once the holidays were over.

But you know what really made me squee? The way she dragged him across the street! The luggage! The fact he carries her luggage! (And it doesn't even occur to her he wouldn't!) That she can babble as fast as he can, and keeps up her digs at his skinny figure! (We need those to balance RTD's cosmetic surgery issues. Someone must have scarred him for life, given Cassandra and Aged!Bellino in Naples, and now this episode.) And, on the more serious side: "You look older." He does, and he would, after all that happened in the last (subjective) year.

"I just want a mate." I think he's going to get one. (And Donna's reply cracked me up, too, despite the fact I knew it from the trailers.)

Lastly: okay, that cameo was a well-kept surprise. I mean, everbody and their dog knows by now she's going to show up at the end of the season, but I don't think anyone expected we'd see her in the opener. I certainly didn't! Neatly done, and kicking of the mystery. Given the way she blinked out, it's obvious she's not physically there, so it has to be via holoprojection, or whatever they call it in the Alt!verse.

In celebration of Donna's return, I must rec this hilarious story. If they ever do "The Ten Doctors" via the wonders of GCI, that's what I want to see. *veg*

Comments

[butterflykiki.livejournal.com]

*dies laughing at story*

And I so needed this after last nights soulcrushy Torchwood. God, I love Donna. I love that they set it up so that there's no romance, right off the bat. I love that she wanted the adventure and running and silliness, and thinks that the Doctor's too skinny. AND ROSE OMG ROSE!

*flails happily for once*

Man, I love this series.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

So do I, so do I. And I think they scheduled the season premiere deliberately the day after the TW finale, so that the sobbing fans had some cheering up. Thanks, team Cardiff!

[butterflykiki.livejournal.com]

Yiss, they rock for that. And the feedback I've been reading on Donna has been mostly positive-- people are liking her, and those who don't, I think it's just a passing thing they can get used to. Some are put off by the Voice, but no one's said anything about her personality or character that's going to stick. Yay! (I am so sick of This Companion Is Better Than That comparisons.)

And, the schmoolike-adipose-babies. Is it wrong that I want a plushy of one of these?

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I suspect pushy adipose babies will be on the market soon. No way the Beeb is going to miss out on that opportunity!

[futuresoon.livejournal.com]

IAWTP. (And I think I need a Donna icon now, but I'm not sure what it would be. I've already got angry icons, I've already got happy icons...)

[selenak.livejournal.com]

The icon makers should be busy now that there are new screencaps. Donna icons for the win!

[skywaterblue.livejournal.com]

Actually, I totally did expect to see her in the opener. I'm fairly sure that it leaked somewhere but was then hushed up or buried under a thousand contrary posts or something ... this morning I was fairly surprised to see that it happened, but not surprised that it did. (If that follows.)

I'm not sure about the holoprojection at all. I think she's physically there, but it's a modified version of the 'ghost shift' the cybermen in her universe were using.

If they're all as funny as this, I think this will be a good season. "Planet of the Hats" made me die, as I just referenced that theory with you a bit ago. Hah.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Have heard this interview Simon Mayo made with David Tennant, here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/mayo/)? (Which is a fun one.) The way he reacts when he's asked inevitable "so, Rose returns...?" question also makes me think she's physically in the Alt!verse. Though I like the idea that they're using a modified version of the Cybertech. I just hope it's one that doesn't destroy the universes!

"Planet of the Hats", yes. And asking about inocculation. He better tell her that being a Companion has fabulous physical health benefits! (As Sarah Jane and Martha both found out in spin-offs...)

[skywaterblue.livejournal.com]

Nope. Haven't.

My theory (just a theory on the how of it) is based on spoilers I know, though. Unless they're massively wrong (could be) they have to be physically there. I suspect that any hesitation on Rose returning has to be because I think just about everyone expects Billie Piper to be done with the series after this season.

[skywaterblue.livejournal.com]

I'm a fucking terrible person, also. Sorry. :( It could be a hologram, really. I just don't want it to be because I hardcore want the spoilers to be real.

[elisi]

But you know what really made me squee? The way she dragged him across the street! The luggage! The fact he carries her luggage! (And it doesn't even occur to her he wouldn't!) That she can babble as fast as he can, and keeps up her digs at his skinny figure!
Yes yes yes! The luggage scene was beyond wonderful - hilarious and also poignant and... *flails* I think Donna is *exactly* what he needs.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Mate-ness for the win!

[wondygal.livejournal.com]

The luggage! My Donna love is through the roof. Oh, she has such a beautiful relationship with the Doctor. Someone said recently that they loved Donna with the Doctor not because she slapped him, but because she understood him in a way none of the other (new who) companions did, which I think I agree with. calapine made the comparison that Rose=Jo, Martha=Liz and Donna=Sarah Jane, with the investigating and thirst for adventure and the future spin-off, and I'm all giddy with that.

Why yes, this comment is entirely pointless. But Donna is ♥. Your icon is v. pretty, btw!

[selenak.livejournal.com]

So is yours. I was looking for Donna icons last week so I'd have one when she comes back, and I found this.

The scene from your icon is one of my favourites from Runaway Bride, with its mixture of the serious and the funny, when they talk about her missed wedding, his last Christmas, and then when he starts talking over her head she immediately slaps him down with "this friend of yours, before she left, did she punch you in the face?" I really love watching these two together.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

*puts protective hat on*

I was okay with it. Even though they did steal the plot from Invasion of the Bane. And (this is what the hat's for), if they leave Donna on this level, I can probably live with her.

It's probably pointless, but I keep wondering who will get that sonic pen, especially since with Donna's car keys, we had one object that will definitely be fished out of a trash can.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I was wondering about the sonic pen as well. And the journalist. Wouldn't be surprised if the later ended up with the former, and we'll see both again. Though as you say, it could just as well be that we'll see neither.

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

"Blinked out?" I thought it was just a weird, fancy-shmancy cut! Let me re-watch!

But yeah, this was thoroughly enjoyable. I've been a low-key shipper for all of New Who, of every single permutation of Nine, Ten, Rose, and Martha, but I'm feeling surprisingly relieved and optimistic about this being purely platonic.

Also, very glad that they went with another female companion; those miserly cries for a male companion after "all the girls in love with the Doctor" rubbed me the wrong way: It's not like the last boy was not in love with the doctor--Jack very, very definitely was and still is. (Mickey wasn't, admittedly, but the Doctor would not call him a companion, I think, quite unfairly and definitely biased.)

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Blinked out definitely!

If you haven't already, go and download the interview I linked for Skywaterblue above; it's great fun, and DT is quite firm on the fact that Donna doesn't fancy the Doctor. (He says "they're mates; she's great at pricking his pomposity, and completely unimpressed by his genius.")

I think the Doctor got over his Mickey prejudices by the time he regenerated, actually. Remember, Mickey got a kiss on the forehead in "Doomsday", which is more than Jack got! (Jack kissed the Doctor, true, but he initialized that one, whereas the Doctor kissed Mickey.) And yes, male companions are as susceptible. As is fandom for shipping them with the Doctor. (For proof, see the Jamie/Two and Turlough/Five brigades.)

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, much, much Donna love!

Heh. You know, I watched this with a largish group of friends, and we were talking about Donna right before the episode. Most of said friends were, well, not hostile to her, exactly, but a bit resistant to her and not especially full of liking. After the episode, I turned to them and said, "See? I told you she was awesome!" And there were no arguments. :)

I was a bit worried by some of the previews, which made it look distressingly like she was sitting around mooning forlornly after the Doctor, which is pretty much the very last thing I wanted to see at this point, especially from Donna. But, no, this isn't a woman pining listlessly after a departed man, this is a woman who's decided what she wants in life and has set about getting it by using her smarts and courage in exactly the right way, and who is fully prepared for it when it happens. God, I love the luggage! And the fact that the reason she gives for wanting to travel with the Doctor is that, essentially, tour buses aren't doing it for her. I think that may be the best reason anybody's had yet.

Man, I am so looking forward to watching those two play off each other for the reason of the season.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Tour buses aren't doing it for me, either, so I completely sympathize with Donna.*g* (In that and other things.)

I know some people were afraid because of the trailer, but I trusted our David T. who in each and every interview (including the one I linked in a comment to Skywaterblue above) said that Donna wasn't in love with the Doctor.

I think even if Donna hasn't won everyone over yet, her luggage must be universally beloved. (At least I have not heard criticism so far!) And since she had a go at the Doctor for not changing his suit, do you think she'll make him wear something different now and then, too?

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

And since she had a go at the Doctor for not changing his suit, do you think she'll make him wear something different now and then, too?

Whether she gets him to or not, I'd love to see her trying to make him. :)

[pujaemuss.livejournal.com]

I'd like to briefly point out that I was the one person out of "everybody and their dog" who didn't know she was going to show up at the end of the season (assiduously avoiding spoilers FTW!) and I'd imagine I'm not completely alone.

PJW

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I try to avoid spoilers, too, but unfortunately THAT SPOILER was mentioned in headlines, so I couldn't avoid it. But lucky you, for being even more shocked than the rest of us!

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

Oh, and as for this:

"I just want a mate." I think he's going to get one.

I really, really hope that this is, indeed, a sign that the whole UST/unrequited-love issue is being dismissed by both the writers and the characters at the outset this time, and that we are going to get some great friendship chemistry without going through that whole tedious thing again. The fact that he's at least learned to specify at the outset, instead of leading people on, is a good sign, as is the fact that Donna's claim not to be interested is much more convincing than Martha's. :)

I am a bit afraid, though, that the way it's expressed is not going to travel well over the Atlantic, as in the US "mate" pretty much means, er, spouse. :)

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I've seen questions whether he means "soulmate". *headdesk* But, yes. As I said above, DT (and for that matter RTD) in every interview when they were asked the dreary question said Donna is not in love with the Doctor, and there would be no UST or love story of any kind. Really, check out that Simon Mayo interview, it's a delight. (Also very geeky as he talks about comparing action figures with Patrick Stewart.)

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

I've seen questions whether he means "soulmate". *headdesk*

*headdesks with you*

But, yes. As I said above, DT (and for that matter RTD) in every interview when they were asked the dreary question said Donna is not in love with the Doctor

Excellent! With a few exceptions, I haven't really been following interviews and such. They sometimes manage to exceed my spoiler tolerance. But this is very reassuring to know. And I will check out that particular interview!

[midnightsjane.livejournal.com]

It's started? I didn't know it was starting this weekend!
must go check the usual places

[deborah-judge.livejournal.com]

After this episode I massively share your Donna love. I love her confidence, the way she knows what she wants, and the way she is just no one's idea of a hero. And yeah, I like how upfront she is about wanting the Doctor. No silent pining for her. I also like that she doesn't trust him, as very well she shouldn't, but she wants to be with him anyway.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I think of all New Who companions, Donna got the scariest introduction to the Doctor - I mean, Rose, Jack, Martha and even Mickey met him in circumstances where a lot of scary stuff happened, but he himself was not frightening; whereas Donna didn't just get treated to the babble and the running and the life saving but got a good hard look at the dark side when he committed genocide right in front of her. He saved the world through doing so, but he still did it, and that's why she initially said no to his offer. I bought her reasons for changing her mind, but I also liked we got a reminder she didn't forget that side of him, and that she still has no qualms in bossing him around (and with great success!) bodes really well for the relationship.

(You could construct a symbolism of how Donna is the only companion who saw the inside of the TARDIS before she saw the outside facade, you know...)

[deborah-judge.livejournal.com]

I bought her reasons for changing her mind, but I also liked we got a reminder she didn't forget that side of him,

Yes, this makes it feel like a more adult relationship - she doesn't idealize him, but she wants him anyway. And she goes after him rather than waiting for him to come to her.

You could construct a symbolism of how Donna is the only companion who saw the inside of the TARDIS before she saw the outside facade, you know...

I like that!

My big concern: I don't think RTD's capable of writing two people having an intense relationship without at least one being in love with the other. (Not that this is necessarily a bad thing - on a re-watch after watching some oldskool, it seems that part of what made the NewWho Master arc so brilliant was that RTD's reflex to write everything as unrequited love just worked so *perfectly* there.) I really, really felt the Doctor/Donna chemistry in 4.1, in a way that I didn't so much in the Christmas special. It feels almost like she's swept him away, and he loves it. I have a hard time buying that this is going to be completely platonic, at least not that it's going to be completely platonic in a way that's OK for Donna. If he can make this work without playing the 'she's too old' card I will be very impressed.