Blobs of fat aside, Partners In Crime is remembered for that scene. You know the one of course - the reunion between the Doctor and Donna. Catherine Tates comedy finesse plays exceptionally well here, and yet her portrayal isn't over the top like her previous appearance. It's more subtle, and ultimately more funny. Who can forget her refusal to mate with the Doctor or her giddy glee upon spying the Doctor through the windowpane? Both scenes are extremely memorable and they made previous naysayers fall in love with Donna. The return of Rose aside, this episode is lighthearted with a capital L. Sarah Lancashires Ms Foster began a long line of strong female villains, Donnas relationship with Gramps Wilf was beautiful to watch, and the Adipose were perhaps the cutest monster to ever grace our screens. In order to showcase the descent Donna undergoes, such a lighthearted introduction was needed and Partners In Crime is perhaps the greatest opener weve had to date.
