New Who Review for Vincent and the Doctor
Posted By Kathleen David on June 30, 2010
This was my favorite episode this year and I have seen through to the end. I remind everyone that I would serious prefer that any and all spoilers be only to the end of this episode although I do understand the temptation to talk about what is going on after this episode. I would like it best if we just talked about this episode.
I think the first Van Gogh I can remember seeing was a picture of a Vase with 12 sunflowers. I liked it a lot. Since then I think I have seen either in person or photos of most of his paintings. He is not my favorite painter but he is really up there. So this episode had some personal resonance with me.
Over all I really enjoyed this episode. I have one niggling problem that I will discuss in the Spoiler zone. I loved the interaction between Amy and Vincent. I loved the way the monster was revealed to us and the dénouement of the episode with Vincent and the TARDIS.
I am amazed that Bill Nighy is un-credited. I knew who it was before he opened his mouth. Again the regular cast continues to impress me a lot.
This one did hit on all cylinders for me. Tony Curran did an excellent job of portraying Vincent Van Gogh. I love the concept that Vincent saw the world so differently and that is what he painted. I love that the Doctor took him to see how his work would be revered in the future even if he can’t sell anything in the present.
And did you have a feeling that Nye played it that he almost recognized who was hugging him but can’t truly make himself believe it?
This was a pretty typical alien at the wrong place/wrong time story that is a staple of Doctor Who. It works well here. I do agree with whoever pointed out that they had buckets of paint around, why didn’t they toss it onto the creature to see it?
My one niggle, which I really shouldn’t have considering the state of medicine at the time, is that Vincent was going to kill himself no matter what. He has been shown what his work will become but he still offs himself. I know that they didn’t have the methods and drugs that they have now for helping the sort of depression that Van Gogh suffered from but the lack of hope for the depressed is not a message you really want out there on the TV. Or I would hope that the suicide hotline was given a plug after this episode.
The idea that Vincent painted what his eyes saw was just brilliant. And the scene with Amy, the Doctor and him looking into the sky as Vincent describes what he sees was just wonderful. Made me look at the world a little differently after viewing the episode.
So favorite show for this season by far.
I am grateful for the episode teaching me how to look at the world a little differently.
Kath in the BBC airing they did make mention of who you could call for help if you are affected by any issues mentioned in the episode.
And I personally appreciated the fact that Vincent still kills himself, because you can’t fix depression with one good day.
I realise this is more the last episode, but a couple of places like bleedingcool.com make mention of the Silurians being a metaphor for Israel. Personally I don’t see it, but I understand the original silurian stories had a clearer metaphor.
Did Peter see that too? I’d ask him in the watcha wanna know thread, but I fear it would get lost.
Interesting. Actually a lot of the complaints I was hearing in England was that there was a plug for a suicide/depression hotline. My niggling complaint… there was no reference to his ear. I know they cant show it, but a bandage round the head might’ve worked. Can’t wait to hear what you thought about the finale. Personally, my head’s still spinning from it all!
Kath
At the end of the episode over the credits during the BBC airing there was indeed an announcement and helpline number for people affected by any of the issues raised during the show . . . I assumed it was depression and not time travel and fighting invisible aliens . . .
Another thing to consider is that The Doctor tends to avoid interfering with time and finding a cure for Vincent’s malady could arguably be part of that. It wouldn’t be the first time that a man’s illness contributed to his genius.