While exploring the Musée d'Orsay art museum in Paris, Amy Pond seems certain that the Doctor is doing everything he can to cheer her up. While he claims innocence (Amy doesn't remember the death of her fiancé, Rory, in last week's "Cold Blood"), the pair seem in awe by some of the work that's on display. Amy seems particularly smitten with the work of the famed post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh, as does the Doctor, but it's a strange speck he notices while looking at ‘The Church at Auvers', as within one of its tiny painted windows is a face that most definitely shouldn't be there. Sensing trouble, the Doctor asks the art historian/tour guide on staff (Bill Nighy) exactly when the piece was painted, as it seems the only way to get to the bottom of things is to travel back to 1889 - just before the artist would ultimately end his own life.
It's another historical adventure for the Doctor and Amy this time around, although it'll take more than just monsters and mayhem to keep those eyes dry this time. Keep reading for the rest of the Doctor Who "Vincent and the Doctor" micro-review!
Right away, "Vincent and the Doctor" makes it clear whose front and center this time around - acclaimed writer Richard Curtis. Best known for his work on such classics as ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral', ‘Blackadder', and ‘Love, Actually' (still the greatest romantic comedy ever, in my opinion), this episode is absolutely popping with his trademark style. From an amazing cameo from frequent Curtis contributor Bill Nighy (‘Shaun of the Dead') to themes of love and tragedy, there's more going here on then meets the eye, and that's what makes things so interesting.
The Doctor's hunch turns out to be correct (surprise) as something is definitely fowl in 1898 Arles, France. After meeting up with Vincent van Gogh (Tony Curran) and winning his trust (no thanks to his immediate attraction to fellow ginger-haired Amy Pond) we soon learn the one of history's greatest artists is also harboring another gift - he alone can see a creature that appears invisible to everyone else. Huge, birdlike, and with a penchant for dramatically chasing down those he doesn't like, this mystery monster is killing people in town, and can't be allowed to continue. As you might expect, the creature itself is actually a stranded alien called a Krafayis, a race of creatures so brutal they think nothing of abandoning one of their own in a pinch. This revelation soon bands the three together to take down their unwanted guest, although longtime Who fans may be surprised to find that by doing so the real story begins.
As the episode's focal point and fellow namesake, Tony Curran is fantastic as Vincent van Gogh, and ranks among the better guest stars I've seen on the show. His inexplicable use of a Scottish accent (the real van Gogh was Dutch) could perhaps be explained in Who-speak by the TARDIS's ability to render language a universal thing. Or maybe it was to endear the artist to fellow Scott (and ginger-haired) Amy Pond (Karen Gillam), whose affections for both his sadness and artistic talent make for an intriguing relationship that only a time traveling Time Lord could bring about. Whatever the reason, Curran not only looks like the famous artist (unlike recent episode's sad Winston Churchill in "Victory of the Daleks"), but is able to capture what must have been a turbulent moment in his life.
A prolific actor perhaps best seen (or unseen) in 2003's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Curran will also play a role in Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson's upcoming motion-captured Tintin films, a series, incidentally, that is already brimming with fellow Doctor Who writers and actors.
The creature itself (handled with now-familiar spotty CG) is less a threat than an actual excuse to join the Doctor and Amy with van Goth over what many historians have called one of the most artistically vital times of his life. It was also his most troubled, as the demons of his mental illness would eventually lead to his suicide. Let's call it a little-seen MacGuffin and be done with it (although the Doctor's slight lamentation towards its demise is appreciated), as its inclusion seems almost compulsory at this point. More alert critics than myself will make something of van Gogh's ability to see the Krafayis when others can't (a metaphor for art itself, I'd imagine), although his gift doesn't seem limited to space aliens and colors; he senses Amy's loss (or Rory), even when she can't herself. Again, insert your own brand of metaphor or foreshadowing as you like.
Questionable monster-of-the-week aside, I was really impressed with how van Gogh's mental illness was handled, and with how much respect and nuance was given. A lesser show might have made included his famous ‘ear' as a joke, or perhaps linked it to the requisite monster attacks (or worse, attempted to explain his illness as a symptom). Despite its scarier moments, Doctor Who is a family show, and while the majority of the Doctor's adventures often carry with them some type of moral guidance, "Vincent and the Doctor" really demonstrates what's at the heart of it all - the people themselves. A key role towards the end showing the Doctor, Amy, and Vincent engaged in a joined circle and looking towards the stars is among the most poetic and beautiful segments I've ever seen on this show, as we're allowed to see the true genius of his creation through his own eyes.
Likewise, the final ‘good' deed that the Doctor shares with him towards the end is breathtakingly right, and while it may give Bill Nighy a chance to deliver a poetic monologue, it really does bring home the reality of van Gogh's illness. Guided by a surprisingly pop-music choice of the band Athlete's "Choices", it's here the episode feels definitely like a true Richard Curtis production. The Doctor seems aware that even this gesture would ultimately change nothing, and while the Doctor and Amy may not have been able to save his life, they certainly added to it. If this wasn't the single best moment of the current series, it was absolutely it's most profound. This was great television.
After such an emotionally powerful closing, I'm not surprised that the official BBC website would be light on the usual fun and frivolous extras, although a nice fact file on Vincent van Gogh (which reads like it was ripped from Wikipedia) helps round things out. I was encouraged to see a post-advisory message to viewers who may have been affected by the episode's tough subject matter (i.e. depression and suicide, which often don't have to go together) to reach out for help. It seems like next week's James Corden (Gavid and Stacey) starring "The Lodger" could be a relatively Doctor-free Doctor Who. Check out the official site for yourselves right HERE!
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