Vincent and the Doctor

"You don't like sunflowers?"

Writer: Richard Curtis

Format: TV

Broadcast: 5 June 2010

Series: 5.10

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Amy

Synopsis

After taking Amy to see the exhibit of Vincent Van Gogh's work in a Paris art gallery, the Doctor sees evil in one of the paintings and he wants to ask the artist himself all about it! 

Verdict

Vincent and the Doctor was a beautiful episode to continue my modern rewatch of Series 5! Has there ever been a more beautiful story? I am really struggling to think of one that even comes close. It's just tremendous from start to finish and it's such a change in pace and feel to what we might expect following the ending of Cold Blood with Rory not only dying but being erased from history. Amy is suspicious of the Doctor being unusually nice which is fun and I like the idea of him taking her to the Musee D'Orsay. I actually went to Paris last year and I'm now kicking myself that I didn't have this museum on my itinerary! We of course went to the Louvre and there was certainly a feel of Van Gogh there and throughout the city, but to experience this museum after being in the episode would have been terrific. The fact I'd forgotten about it and how highlight this episode ranks in my all time favourites shows the value of a rewatch and the little memory refresher. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the Doctor and Amy as they just felt like a proper Doctor and companion relationship. No flirting, no arc. This was just pure Doctor Who and I loved it. The Doctor noticing evil in the church painting was good and that's talking about a keen eye for evil! He knew it when he saw it so Amy would now get to meet Van Gogh himself. The moment where they find Van Gogh haggling in a cafe for another drink was just outstanding and both the Doctor and Amy were in a real fanboy moment. It was terrific and it's just lovely to see them having a moment of pure joy. They certainly deserve it after their recent ordeals, not that Amy would remember what happened. I thought she looked great in this episode and that coat is a brilliant fashion piece! The Doctor also having some fashion moments with the Van Gogh museum tour guide and bow ties was wonderful. I thought Matt Smith was excellent in this episode and the balance between humour, joy and fear was outstanding. I liked that the Doctor got Vincent to draw the Krafayis and the moment he realised it was blind was terrific. Only Vincent being able to see it had its own beauty and whilst he was able to control it partially through necessary violence, the humour of the Doctor attacking thin air long after Vincent had chased it off into the woods was magnificent. Another shining moment for Smith. I thought the torment and emotion that came with the death of the Krafayis was somehow beautiful and so touching. The whole theme of Van Gogh not appreciating his artwork or being appreciated is so sad and yet endearing. It's so sad that after the depiction in this episode that he would commit suicide aged thirty-seven. That's just no age! So much potential. I really love that Amy tries to get herself painted and whilst the image of her surrounded by sunflowers would have been beautiful, the extra addition to the gallery of the sunflower pot and the 'for Amy' comment was a lovely touch. That really is a positive change. The moment where the Doctor takes Vincent to the future and to his exhibition at the Musee D'Orsay is just stunning. It really is spectacular and such a touching moment. You can't help but smile. There's a reason this is my nan's favourite episode and whilst she's only a casual fan at best, anytime Doctor Who comes up in conversation she will always recall this one. It's her favourite and she's not easily pleased! It was a joy to watch again and the moment where the Doctor, Amy and Vincent are in a triangle staring up at the night sky and seeing how Vincent sees the stars is just sublime. A really perfect moment and I loved the imagery. Such a visual and dark episode with pure emotion and joy at its heart. Spellbinding. One of the best ever. 

Rating: 10/10