The golden glow doesn't bother me, so much, so long as it's not part of her costume...like black, with gold stars? Not working.
I also agree that Donna needs more opportunities to show her warm, nurturing den mother side. Again...I see Donna being the champion of a small, Rockwellian, American town, somewhere, surrounded by wholesome, Mayberryish or quirky, Twin-Peaksy characters. She needs a situation that showcases her best qualities, in an ongoing narrative.