Doctor Who: EVERY Series Opener Ranked Worst To Best

Moving back to RTD1, we have the Doctor’s (first) reunion with Donna Noble, Partners in Crime.

This is often remembered as quite a silly episode, thanks to its cute and cuddly Adipose antagonists. But it’s actually much deeper than that – and a masterclass in comedy writing, as the Doctor and Donna are repeatedly brought back into each other’s orbit, only to keep missing each other.

It works whether you’re already familiar with Donna or not, thanks to the way the script reintroduces her and her tedious home setup. Either way, you’re itching for her to meet the Doctor again… which makes the moment she finally does truly exhilarating. And hilarious!

Yes, there’s comedy in spades, but there are also quieter, more touching moments, from the Doctor realising he’s talking to himself, to Donna’s delight at becoming a TARDIS traveller.

Best of all is Donna’s hillside chat with Wilf – and the eventual payoff, when he sees her with the Doctor through his telescope at the episode’s end.

Never mind cliffhangers. That’s what it’s all about.