We'll never do Time

[alexsarll]

I would certainly not go so far as to call 'Partners in Crime' good - but it was better than I expected.After a very bad start - a dreadful new version of the theme tune, and a dire attempt at screwball comedy - there was the allotment scene, and blow me, Tate actually acted - something she'd proceed to do a couple more times over the course of the episode, even if it was interspersed with screeching. We've established that her missing the Doctor was about the potential he brings to life, and strictly non-romantic; that's good. Her grandfather is the best family character so far. The resolution's non-violence was a nice change. And then we got those little hints - Colony Collapse Disorder, the lost breeding planet, and the earlier-than-expected return of Rose. Maybe this could work out...
Against which - she does still lapse into Being Catherine Tate too much. And the script was another of RTD's incoherent attempts at satire. He doesn't even seem to understand his own earlier work - surely the Shadow Proclamation is a treaty, not a body which can be informed? As for the basic 'fart noises/fat gremlins' plot, let's not even go there.
And why does every season have to start with nurses these days? 'New Earth', 'Smith & Jones' and now this. I think I particularly dislike this because it reminds me of the blue police telephone box in Derby Children's Hospital, inside which there was...a payphone.

Comments

[azureskies.livejournal.com]

I'd... agree with most of that, yeah. Certainly nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. The main plot was lousy, but there were definitely moments - surprisingly, some of them even involving Her, plus the stuff with Cribbins - which is more than can be said for New Earth.

I completely guessed that it was Rose before she turned around, though.

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

See Facebook for comment re: that, but yes, I think we're agreed in summary. It was nice the way they tied the Cribbins stuff in, certainly. Although watching Malcolm Tucker and Steptoe together next week's going to be odd.

[davegodfrey.livejournal.com]

I've not seen it yet, but Glasgow has quite a large number of blue police boxes from which people sell tea and coffee. The chain is called "Coppuccino".

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

Interesting that the association has survived there - to most people nowadays they're more to do with the Doctor than the police.