Doctor Who S30E01: Partners In Crime [Spoilers]

[Admiral Valdemar]

So after a good few months and some-odd days, the night we've been eagerly waiting for has arrived.

The first episode of the fourth (neo Who) season begins within two hours - 1820 BST/1720 GMT.

Ready for launch?

[Admiral Valdemar]

Lose fat AND get a free gold pendant. Sold!

[Admiral Valdemar]

A fun standalone episode, and Tate wasn't annoying again, which helped. I loved the window conversation they had as Lancashire was outlining her nasty plot.

The Adipose were... cute. Though I wonder if they'll use Massive again for doing creatures on the show, since that was the first use of the system for TV.

And the end. WTF? Something is going on there.

[andrewgpaul]

That was reassuring; the finale's not just going to be "yeah, I just popped over from the parallel universe for the day. Hi."

[NecronLord]

Mmm. Rose was jarring; but Y'know what? I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt.

As for the rest. Interesting to note that the Shadow Proclamation is also some kind of agency, as well as a proclamation. The fat-critters were... amusing. I liked the callback about the Racnoss.

[Admiral Valdemar]

I figure we may hear more about the Shadow Proclamation in the future, if only in the background since I expect UNIT is a bigger focus in this season.

I also got Close Encounters vibes off that ship. Again, I imagine London will find a way to ignore or spin it as being a non-issue worthy of only a back page mention in the Daily Star or something.

[andrewgpaul]

So, how long, d'you reckon, before Woolworths's shelves are groaning under the weight of cuddly Adipose?

[Admiral Valdemar]

I expect they have a warehouse or ten filled with them. They're still selling those voice changer masks en masse. I really should get my bro one of the clockwork android figures though. He always loved them.

An Adipose plush would make a good pillow.

[Lord Woodlouse]

The Shadow Proclamation sounds almost like a galactic UN, if they have a role in enforcing galactic law. I previously thought the Shadow Proclamation was galactic law.

[Admiral Valdemar]

The Shadow Proclamation sounds almost like a galactic UN, if they have a role in enforcing galactic law. I previously thought the Shadow Proclamation was galactic law.

Ditto. Though when you think about it, who would uphold any laws? It had to have an organisation behind it, since the only other race to really do that job got wiped out in the Time War. And is it only the Milky Way, or do they get jurisdiction in other galaxies too? I don't think they'll have any time-cop status at least.

[Bedlam]

My thoughts on this episode

Not so keen on the new theme toon.

The adipose are sooooo cute.

The lip reading screen was funny.

The nanny had a nice Wylie Cyote fall (you don't start falling until you realise you should)

Catherine Tait was not as bad as expected she seems to have toned down the performance and shouting a bit for the series.

Spooky appearence of Rose, presumably this will be this series bad wolf with her appearing in all or most of the episodes for a few seconds.

Overall I'd give it 7/10 not an outstanding story but not by any means bad

[Lord Woodlouse]

The Shadow Proclamation sounds almost like a galactic UN, if they have a role in enforcing galactic law. I previously thought the Shadow Proclamation was galactic law.

Ditto. Though when you think about it, who would uphold any laws? It had to have an organisation behind it, since the only other race to really do that job got wiped out in the Time War. And is it only the Milky Way, or do they get jurisdiction in other galaxies too? I don't think they'll have any time-cop status at least.

Sounds like it's maybe the greater beings of the universe coming together to institute some kind of order in the wake of the Great Time War.

Oh, and it's series 4, not 3.

[Admiral Valdemar]

Sounds like it's maybe the greater beings of the universe coming together to institute some kind of order in the wake of the Great Time War.

Potentially, maybe like the Culture, acting as a benevolent police force of sorts, or at least several of the lesser powered (compared to Gallifrey) civilisations banding together after the Time War clusterfuck removed two major powers like the USA vs. USSR.

Oh, and it's series 4, not 3.

Read the title again.

[andrewgpaul]

Actually, AV called it series 30, because he's a big pedant.

[Admiral Valdemar]

Actually, AV called it series 30, because he's a big pedant.

I prefer the term "purist".

[NecronLord]

The Shadow Proclamation sounds almost like a galactic UN, if they have a role in enforcing galactic law. I previously thought the Shadow Proclamation was galactic law.

It has 'articles' according to Rose so there must be an actual text called that too.

I'm rather fond of the idea of it being a conventional (if powerful) alliance or interpol like organisation.

[Bedlam]

Does anyone think that the Adapose plan would have worked if they'd just told everyone what was going to happen? (apart from being alien tech)

We've got this drug that will make you loose weight painlessly and quickly you can eat whatever you want. This drug is cheap (The nanny didn't look like she was taking anything with her when she left so she didn't seem to be in it for the earth money) and possibly free.

Ok your fat will turn into little blobby things and wander off but this seems to be painless and mostly occurs while you're asleep.

The plan defently didn't have to kill anyone and I'm not sure if the orignal plan was for anyone to die.

[NecronLord]

The plan defently didn't have to kill anyone and I'm not sure if the orignal plan was for anyone to die.

I don't think so, either. This is presumably at least part of why the Doctor tried to save her. Though then again, he's tried to save all sorts down the years.

Also, I like that he just throws sonic probes in the bin.

[Admiral Valdemar]

I wanted that sonic "pen", dammit! It can cut steel cables instantly too!

This was all really a benign plan that, thanks to snooping by journalists (again) and the Doctor keeping tabs, turned ugly. The whole Adipose nursery quota could easily have been met had it been left to go along as planned and no one would be the wiser, even if it was illegal by galactic law and may have attracted the eyes of UNIT and Torchwood eventually.

It's unfortunate that the Doctor investigating pushed Foster's hand and made her rush the job, which inevitably led to her demise too.

[El Moose Monstero]

Fairly middle of the road episode; some parts felt clumsy, can't say there were any bits that really were outstanding quality. Last five minutes pissed me off. I'd quite like to see some actual good quality original episodes outside of Steve Moffat that don't rely on cameos and old enemies.

[Admiral Valdemar]

Oh boo to you.

Here, have an Adipose.

[El Moose Monstero]

Oh boo to you.

Here, have an Adipose.

Yeh, yeh. I know. Maybe I'm just getting a bit cynical to the current incarnation of Doctor Who, but whilst I got a couple of chuckles out of this episode, I also had a lot of moments where it just didn't work for me. I actually thought the opening episode to last series was more enjoyable, but that's just personal taste.

[andrewgpaul]

I can't help thinking that soic pen turns up again.Between that shot of him chucking it in the bin, and Donna telling "Rose" to tell her mum to look in the in, I'm sure it'll be back.

[andrewgpaul]

"soic"? sonic. I really shouldn't post while drunk.

[Asdeed]

I loved this episode, especially since they established Donna doesn't fancy the Doctor. She just wants to on adventure's with him, it's a nice change of pace if you ask me.

And citing the Shadow Proclamation is more than just empty words, it's worth killing over, neat! Well not the killing so much as the implications although that Coyotelike death scene really was hilarious.