Doctor Who: The Star Beast: Preview

So here it is then - the Doctor and Donna reunited amid the show's 60th anniversary celebrations kicking off all folded in with one of the most iconic Doctor Who comic stories.

On top of that, as if it wasn't enough, the show's starting a new worldwide era with Disney being involved in the production. And add into that, the question of why Jodie Whittaker's 13th Doctor regenerated into a familiar face in the form of David Tennant's 14th Doctor. 

Swirl all of it together and it's a lot for The Star Beast to manage - but goodness, it doesn't half do it all incredibly and with a swagger that's hard to deny.

Landing on Earth, the Doctor (David Tennant) finds himself thrust back into the path of former companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) when a spaceship crashes down in London. 

While the show has changed through the years and there were fears the Disney involvement would mean it goes in a new direction thanks to funding, in a strange way, The Star Beast looks like Doctor Who of old, with just a little more thrown into the budget in the form of sets and explosions. 

That's not to disrespect it in the slightest - The Star Beast rumbles on with such gusto and pace, there's barely a second to catch breath as Tennant and Tate twirl a familiar dance and newcomer Yasmin Finney joins proceedings as Rose, her daughter.

While it may be adapted from a story by legendary comics stars Pat Mills and Dave Gibbons, there are Russell T Davies' fingerprints all over the DNA of this romp of an episode. From some subtle social commentary that will possibly enrage those looking for an unnecessary fight (especially after the Davros furore from the weekend) to the comedic moments delivered to perfection by Tate, there's a lot to love about this first of three Doctor Who specials.

While perhaps the mystery of why Ten returned is sidelined somewhat in this first episode (possibly to avoid alienating newcomers to the franchise given the slight reboot here), The Star Beast shows the best of Doctor Who in its anniversary year - some subtle nods to the past filtered in to a great story mean fans can appreciate it and casual viewers can find themselves enthralled. (Though whether some of the denser explanations on why Donna matters so much may be a little lost to first timers).

Equally, the Tennant and Tate double act is one of the main reasons to watch. From Tennant's occasionally maudlin moments among the manic recollections to Tate's simply owning the screen from the moment she returns, it's clear they're loving being back. But there's plenty of heart here as well - Donna Noble's altruism shines through and the Doctor's love of his former companion is evident, and heartbreaking.

Doctor Who - The Star Beast is a fast-paced romp of an episode that manages to bridge a gap between the old and new, and while some of the mythology in the back third of the episode may confuse those not fully au fait with the intricacies of Who-lore, and some of the resolutions are rushed and convenient, the 60th anniversary is off with a bang.

Doctor Who: The Star Beast airs globally on Disney+ from Sunday November 26.
It is the first of three special anniversary episodes - Wild Blue Yonder airs Sunday December 3, and The Giggle on Sunday December 10 - before Ncuti Gatwa's 15th Doctor takes over at Christmas with The Church on Ruby Road.