10 Doctor Who Episodes You MUST Watch Before The 60th Anniversary

The Runaway Bride might've been Donna’s introduction, but Partners in Crime is the story where she became a fully-fledged companion.

The fact that Donna had already appeared in the show makes this an unusual, but wonderfully affirming series opener. It’s a reintroduction rather than an introduction – to a character that originally declined the offer of further adventures, but has since done a 180.

Whereas Donna’s meeting with the Doctor in the 60th will be completely spontaneous, this one was completely deliberate. She’s faced with a hurdle that no other companion has faced: having to find the Doctor, rather than just letting them find you. But she does so with grit and determination.

Arguably, this makes Donna a more worthy TARDIS traveller than any other. And it makes her reunion with the Doctor all the more satisfying, with the mime sequence ranking as one of the best-ever DoctorDonna moments.

This is also the story that properly established the Noble family unit. Mum Sylvia and granddad Wilf had previously appeared in Christmas specials, but get considerably more to do here.

Partners in Crime is a perfect reminder of what made David Tennant and Catherine Tate such a great duo. It’s definitely one you’re going to want to rewatch ahead of their second big reunion!