New Who Review for Vincent and the Doctor

[puppetmaker]

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.

Comments

[gryphonrose.livejournal.com]

Yes, Nye definitely recognized him but couldn't believe it.

And I could swear they ran an announcement for a suicide hotline during the closing credits.

[trillsie.livejournal.com]

I saw an announcement for the suicide hotline when I saw it the first time, but not subsequent times.

It is one of my favorite episodes.

[mommyspike.livejournal.com]

I agree -- this was an exceptional episode. I think my favorite episodes have been where the Doctor interacts with some famous historical character.

[terri-osborne.livejournal.com]

Minor nit, I apologize, Bill Nighy. Bill Nye is the Science Guy. Pronounced the same, but two completely different people. :)

Otherwise, I absolutely agree with you. And the Beeb actually has a website devoted to Mental Health issues that they were giving the link to at the end of the episode when it aired there. The site had a special section devoted to the episode. As someone living with a major depressive disorder, I think they did an excellent job of illustrating that sometimes, no matter what kind of joy you think you're bringing to a depressive's life, it's going to only be temporary. It dealt well with it as an illness and not some kind of "phase" that he could just snap out of (an often-used misconception for portraying depressives). You often do what's necessary to get by, but that's it. Painting gave Vincent joy, but it wasn't enough to live on, and that can compound the vicious circle of depression.

And sometimes, if you give a depressive a glimpse at what influence he will have after his death? You risk hastening that death. I wish the script had mentioned that, but it didn't.

[artnouveauho.livejournal.com]

I loved this episode too. Bill Nighy was just icing on the cake.

(Have you heard his performance as Sam in the old BBC Radio Lord Of The Rings? He sings. It's adorable.)

[n-decisive.livejournal.com]

I have some thoughts on why I preferred that he still killed himself, and will come back in the next day or so to share them. I need to organize them a bit more. I do agree, however, that if they didn't put a mental health announcement at the end, they should have.

[lyssie.livejournal.com]

Or I would hope that the suicide hotline was given a plug after this episode.

It did on the BBC. I don't know about BBCA.