Rate & Discuss: Vincent and the Doctor
Terror lurks in the cornfields of Provence, but only a sad and lonely painter can see it. Amy Pond finds herself shoulder to shoulder with Vincent Van Gogh, in a battle with a deadly alien.
After the previous action-packed Silurian two-parter, you would think a nice visit to the peaceful Provencal countryside would be just what the doctor ordered. A sunbathing siesta was strictly off the cards, however, all thanks to the deadly danger lurking in the cornfields of Southern France. But where there’s a will, there’s a Vincent Van Gogh!
Of course, the Doctor’s encounters with famous historical figures have never been an easy ride (see Series 3’s The Shakespeare Code!), and this was definitely a case in point in tonight’s poignant adventure, as our time-travelling heroes embarked on an emotional rollercoaster of epic proportions.
Penned by Richard Curtis, the story featured the usual array of laughs, love and emotion the Love Actually writer is acclaimed for. But, being one of the most anticipated of the new series so far, did it suceed in delivering the goods? Did Van Gogh’s struggle tug at your heartstrings, or were you disappointed with the painter’s portrayal? Will it easel-y become a classic, or would you rather watch paint dry than sit through it again? Let us know by sharing your thoughts and rating the episode below and in our poll!
Oh, and for those of you who were wondering, the song in the final scenes was ‘Chances’ by Athlete!
“If I had the chance to start again, then you would be the one I’d come and find“.
It was fantasic. The Acting was brillant and The Story written by the amazing Richard Curtis was incredible. Loved every moment and brought me to tears
Loved it. LOVED IT. I bet a LOT of people will hate that, but I thought it was wonderful and very different for Who. The best episode this series not written by the main man Moffat.
Absouletly amazing! I am stunned that such a Vincent Van Gogh storyline can be this could! Its so different to any other episodes that have happened in the Series. This Is Episode was very good, Richard Curtis has an imagianitive mind!
The thing that was good, is that we saw a nice side. The Episode wasn’t too, jump at the aliens right now. It was Vincent that was the focus! I loved this Episode!
I was meant to put “Can be this good!” sorry. Lol
Great episode. Poignant and moving.
What was the music played near the end?
I thought it was brilliant! The last scene where they took Vincent to see his work in the future/our time made me cry, very moving!
I loved this episode, possibly my favourite of the series.
@Jon Price
If you’re referring to the song I think it was ‘Chances’ by Athlete. Unusual to have music in an episode other than Murray Gold’s! It worked nicely though.
yes it is chances by athlete
i loved this episode so much, it was very different in the sense that it was mainly about the characters rather than the plot, but i loved it, something new for who, that worked rather tremendously and the last scene was great.
@Jon Price
Just to add it’s from Athlete’s album ‘Tourist’ a few years ago.
Such a brilliant, delicate piece of work by Richard Curtis and so worth being a 50 minute episode.
It was an unusual, slightly risky way to go for a family drama, especially with children and some who might not understand, or might not enjoy watching something that realistic. But, I feel that Richard handled the episode in a way that was still reachable for children and adults alike without being too dark or too childish.
Also, with a fantastic cast (although I feel Bill Nighy was underused, but he was still brilliant), a fantastic creature and a brilliant setting like Provence/Trogir, it made it a wonderful experience. So, going back to a regular Doctor Who episode next week might be a bit strange… Also, loved the Rory reference!
One of my favourite Doctor Who episodes so far, regardless of series.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what I liked so much about it. It combined a Doctor Who monster with a multi-dimensional storyline. I have to admit I wasn’t sure about a story about Vincent Van Gogh, would it be completely art orientated to the detriment of the story?……….would they attempt to rewrite and trivialise history and turn his real life suicide into a Doctor Who Monster murder, but my doubts and concerns were unfounded and Richard Curtis’ reputation which proceeded him very much remained intact.
Vincent and The Doctor did in some ways focus on the character of Van Gogh but in an interesting way. It showed his talent, his fragile state of mind and it showed it in such a way that I could empathise with the character. Once again, the Doctor Who casting team picked the actor to play Van Gogh perfectly and while some, though not those who have posted so far, may not have liked that the Doctor took Van Gogh to 2010 to show him his success, I personally really liked the idea and am glad it was done, as in real life, it’s a shame that Van Gogh never knew how famous he’d one day become and the Art Museum bloke describing how great he was and the emotion by the actor was great, very well written and very well acted, though I do completely agree with leaving Van Gogh’s suicide in there.
I was also able to empathise with the “monster” in it’s blindness and its fear as it approached it’s death and the fact The Doctor comforted it was just right.
It’s honestly got more difficult as this series has gone on to say good things about Doctor Who and here’s why. Simply, Doctor Who has improved greatly as the series has gone on and for me, it’s easier to express and highlight the good bits when there’s contrasting bad bits, but tonight was a great Doctor Who episode with little for me to complain about……….I mean, yes, the displays of the First and Second Doctor was a bit gimicky, a bit of an excuse, but I liked it and yeah, I think I recognised at one point where the speech was redubbed, but it was an enjoyable episode and I want to see it again.
Sorry for the second post, but:
The Doctor Uses His Sonic Screwdriver Against The Monster.
Doctor: “Anything?”
Van Gogh: “No, in fact, I think he liked it”
Despite being well known for disliking certain behaviours weeks ago, that was funny.
Tony Curran is an utterly wonderful actor.
The scene with him at the exhibition was mesmerising, and those with him and Karen were also excellent.
A great script too, full of clever ideas. I’m now glad that The Moff called on the services of Richard Curtis.
Bringing the subjects of mental illness/depression, suicide, great art, time travel, and large invisible blind abandoned aliens to the nation’s tv screens on a Saturday evening is no mean feat.
Television doesn’t get much better than this. We really are being spoiled!
That episode was just fantastic!
The whole depth of it was really well written and thought out.
It had me crying at the end!
But I’m from America and we pronounce Van Gogh differently, so that was a bit weird!
Brilliant! It delivered so much more than I had initially thought it would have judging by the preview/trailer of the episode. One minute I’m laughing out loud, the next I’ve got watery eyes. You can’t ask for more than that. Yet another winner from this season… I loved the Bill Nighy cameo.
It was dreadful!!!! The plot lasted about 20 minutes with so much padding. The Doctor’s uninterested actions against the monster is out of character in relation to the last 5 years. I felt sorry for the creature. I am so surprised at Richard Curtis. He has written incredible television in the past, this was a low point in his career. Bill Nighy was excellent. A mirror image to MS’s Doctor. In fact, I would reckon he should have been the 11th Doctor instead. Amy continues to be emotionless with limited acting abilities.
There are signs that the BBC are losing interest in Doctor Who currently. The most noticeable is the use of the older Doctor Who theme to advertise the Adventure Game. As for the song at the end, far to American an idea. Happens every episode in Smallville.
The preview for this episode offered so much more than the episode really was.
An absolutely wonderful, WONDERFUL episode. Heartwarming, and heartbreaking. Tony Curran was fantastic as Vincent Van Gogh. Even Bill Nighy, in his relatively minor role as the museum curator, was great. The horror and suspense was perfect pitch, and the unfortunate reality of the “monster” was just as heartbreaking as Vincent’s eventual end. The comedic elements hit their targets just as much as the dramatic. The inclusion of images of the First Doctor (again) and the Second certainly added to the wonderfulness all around. The Doctor’s motorcycle mirror was a terrific artifact with reflections of a terrifying creature you really believed was right there behind Matt Smith, and not being generated by a computer months later. Karen Gillan just keeps getting better and better, and if possible, more beautiful with every episode. Heartbreaking – again – that Amy has no memory of Rory, although the Doctor certainly has. To top off all that, a special invitation for Vincent, into the TARDIS and into the future to witness for himself the truth of his talents. How one wishes to be placed into that exact situation! To be shown one’s future and find out that it’s been a success. Writer Richard Curtis deserves extra special recognition for this story. Not just the best of Matt Smith’s era (short as it’s been so far) but of ALL “Doctor Who” since it’s inception. Thank-you, everyone involved (if any of you happen to read this) in the production of “Vincent and the Doctor”. You’re brilliant! Every single one of you!
I ve not had chance to see it again but when the Doctor was in the church in the back ground of the stain glass windows was it a picture of two reapers, from fathers day, depicting a shape of the crack?
Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. The script was so sensitive and delicate, and yet so deeply profound at the same time. The acting was superb. The one liners were brilliant. And poor old Rory is remembered. This and Amy’s Choice are the best so far, for me.
Just wanted to say again how much I LOVED this episode, just wonderful. I don’t mind telling you, when it was announced that Curtis was writing an episode, I had the same sinking feeling I had when Moffat was announced for the first series. I couldn’t believe they had been asked, I didn’t understand what their writing history had to do with being able to write Doctor Who. I love Coupling and Blackadder, but I didn’t think they were suited at all to Who. Well, Curtis, much like Moffat did, and still does, hit it out of the park. Outstanding.