Well, they've stated Donna's meant to be more like a "big sister" figure and they were implicit saying that there was meant to be zero romantic spark between them, but that could be a curve ball, of course, but I didn't really feel any romance between them. But a little hero worship, but Donna was grounded enough when she was actually with the Doctor that it didn't take over.

I just felt the whole episode was way too cheesy, trying way too hard to bring emotional depth to Donna but just ending up soap opera dramatic and with a lame villain and too many cringeworthy moments. My least favourite episode of any of the new who, not for the performances but the dripping cheezy coating.