58 reviews
The high point of Series 5
So the Doctor and Amy travel back to Holland to meet Van Gogh, and stop a monster.
The plot really is that simple, this episode proved beyond all shadow of a doubt that it doesn't have to be about huge effects, intricate story arcs and huge stars. Simply put I think there is genius behind this episode, let's face it the plot is tiny by comparison to most, but the characters, acting, dialogue are firing on all cylinders. The first time I can say I really liked Amy's character was here, she was given much better material, Matt Smith is also fantastic, really connected with him here, but the classy performance of Tony Curran is what dazzles throughout this episode, he takes Van Gogh from dark insanity to pure ecstasy, a stunning Doctor Who debut.
So the monster wasn't the best, and historically it was off kilter, but neither mattered, the point of the story was the emotional journey, something RTD was good at doing. The character development
Favourite scene has to be The Doctor and Amy taking Vincent to see the museum, so touching and moving, the music was so different for the show, it worked beautifully. Bill Nighy was a total utter joy, always wanted to see him in Who. Beard jokes always welcome too.
Fabulously fabulous 10/10
The plot really is that simple, this episode proved beyond all shadow of a doubt that it doesn't have to be about huge effects, intricate story arcs and huge stars. Simply put I think there is genius behind this episode, let's face it the plot is tiny by comparison to most, but the characters, acting, dialogue are firing on all cylinders. The first time I can say I really liked Amy's character was here, she was given much better material, Matt Smith is also fantastic, really connected with him here, but the classy performance of Tony Curran is what dazzles throughout this episode, he takes Van Gogh from dark insanity to pure ecstasy, a stunning Doctor Who debut.
So the monster wasn't the best, and historically it was off kilter, but neither mattered, the point of the story was the emotional journey, something RTD was good at doing. The character development
Favourite scene has to be The Doctor and Amy taking Vincent to see the museum, so touching and moving, the music was so different for the show, it worked beautifully. Bill Nighy was a total utter joy, always wanted to see him in Who. Beard jokes always welcome too.
Fabulously fabulous 10/10
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Aug 31, 2015
- Permalink
Tear Jerker
One of the very best Dr. Who productions
For those who have not seen this episode I would strongly recommend they obtain a copy and for those who watched it the first time sit back and enjoy it again. It is clear that a real effort, no an extraordinary effort was made by the production team with this episode. I'm not sure why but so glad because the finished product is first class. The last five minutes,no giveaway, is the sort of TV that should have won awards - why didn't the BBC put this episode up for an award I wonder? I originally saw this episode over in France and the reaction was excellent with rave reviews - we saw the film on a large screen so much better than a small TV set. Think all Dr. Who episodes look so much better on large screens.
- sandy_lloyd
- Apr 1, 2015
- Permalink
Touching.
Wow. Few things on TV move me like this episode has. Incredible stuff. The Doctor giving Van Gogh a glimpse of his legacy was just emotionally jarring in a good way. A friend of mine suffered much the same condition as Van Gogh. He had been able to pull out of his sways, which initially were just mood sways, but then as he sought treatment, became real emotions about real abuse he was suffering at the hands of the very doctors trying to help him. His tale is yet to end.
But here the Doctor and his Scottish companion visit the legendary painter and tackle a giant outer space turkey bent on wreaking havoc in the rural country painting getaway that is Van Gogh's home. I have to say, as far as monsters go, I think the production team didn't go the whole nine yards for this episode. They had a budget to meet, so probably grabbed the first thing that came into their head and said "that's our monster" (I'll bet one of the writers was eating a chicken sandwich at the time they were brainstorming the plot).
The space-turkey/chicken (I say it's a turkey, but the guys on the BBS call it a chicken...whatever) never really gives us his motives for being a malefactor. He is in fact a stock villain for this entry in Who-ness, and runs amuck with vengeful thoughts on his mind sparked by fear of being stranded on Earth. Van Gogh helps resolve the plot.
But even though the plot is brought to an end, it's the story of Van Gogh himself that is the focus of this episode. How did a man who was so renown as a painter succumb to the dark recesses of his own self generated despair? We don't know. We will never know. That's one of the mysteries of severe depression. We're given a glimmer of hope in this episode for those suffering this condition, and it is indeed a very real hope. But depression by itself, is not always fueled by logic, and therefore things can go wrong.
It's a nice intimate episode. There are no major alien invasions here. The Earth itself is not on the precipise of disaster. The universe is not in danger of collapsing. There's a giant raptor like aggressor present, but otherwise this is one of the more intimate Who episodes. Think of the few "good" episodes of Season Three original Trek, and you'll know what I mean.
The important thing about this episode is that the historic figure here, Van Gosh, was not mad. He knew the difference between right and wrong, but his personal outlook and inability to keep himself fueled was an interior war that no amount of the Doctor's Tardis nor Sonic-Screwdriver could address.
A good watch.
But here the Doctor and his Scottish companion visit the legendary painter and tackle a giant outer space turkey bent on wreaking havoc in the rural country painting getaway that is Van Gogh's home. I have to say, as far as monsters go, I think the production team didn't go the whole nine yards for this episode. They had a budget to meet, so probably grabbed the first thing that came into their head and said "that's our monster" (I'll bet one of the writers was eating a chicken sandwich at the time they were brainstorming the plot).
The space-turkey/chicken (I say it's a turkey, but the guys on the BBS call it a chicken...whatever) never really gives us his motives for being a malefactor. He is in fact a stock villain for this entry in Who-ness, and runs amuck with vengeful thoughts on his mind sparked by fear of being stranded on Earth. Van Gogh helps resolve the plot.
But even though the plot is brought to an end, it's the story of Van Gogh himself that is the focus of this episode. How did a man who was so renown as a painter succumb to the dark recesses of his own self generated despair? We don't know. We will never know. That's one of the mysteries of severe depression. We're given a glimmer of hope in this episode for those suffering this condition, and it is indeed a very real hope. But depression by itself, is not always fueled by logic, and therefore things can go wrong.
It's a nice intimate episode. There are no major alien invasions here. The Earth itself is not on the precipise of disaster. The universe is not in danger of collapsing. There's a giant raptor like aggressor present, but otherwise this is one of the more intimate Who episodes. Think of the few "good" episodes of Season Three original Trek, and you'll know what I mean.
The important thing about this episode is that the historic figure here, Van Gosh, was not mad. He knew the difference between right and wrong, but his personal outlook and inability to keep himself fueled was an interior war that no amount of the Doctor's Tardis nor Sonic-Screwdriver could address.
A good watch.
Brilliant episode
First of all, the accent thing. Yes, Vincent speaks with a Scottish accent. This is the Tardis translating his French to English for Amy's ears. She is Scottish, so, she hears a Scottish accent. This is addressed early on when Vincent asks Amy if she is Dutch because she speaks French with a Dutch accent. Vincent will also be speaking French with his Dutch accent. If you listen to the restaurant staff, they speak with a rural English (South Wests England). They are rural French people, so the Tardis translates to a rural English accent.
I loved this episode because it brings together to loves of my life - Doctor Who and Vincent Van Gogh. Vincent is played brilliantly by Tony Curran. I loved the some what corny scenes where they re-crated some of Van Gogh's most famous paintings - it had to be done. Vincent's mental ill health was addressed sensitively and the scene in the gallery at the end is something I wish could happen in real life to Vincent.
I loved this episode because it brings together to loves of my life - Doctor Who and Vincent Van Gogh. Vincent is played brilliantly by Tony Curran. I loved the some what corny scenes where they re-crated some of Van Gogh's most famous paintings - it had to be done. Vincent's mental ill health was addressed sensitively and the scene in the gallery at the end is something I wish could happen in real life to Vincent.
Vincent and the Doctor
Richard Curtis wrote this episode. Ostensibly it is about Vincent Van Gogh meeting the Doctor and together they delve the mystery of a monster depicted in one of his paintings.
It really is about the meaning of madness and depression. Van Gogh is the strange madman in the village whose paintings remain unappreciated. Society in his era did not understand depression.
The monster which is invisible (signifying mental illness) is alone, abandoned and blind. Lashing out because it is frightened.
Scottish actor Tony Curran, more often employed to play a heavy on American shows knows he has a role of a lifetime. He takes it by the scruff of the neck. His Vincent is wild, romantic and emotional. Seeing monsters where others do not. The Doctor is the only man he has met who understands his pain.
What makes this episode stand out is the photography, sound and the location shooting. Trogir in Croatia stands in for the fields of Provence. Magnificent use of visuals, look at the way the night sky begins to depict the painting of The Starry Night. The use of the song by Athlete to give it an emotional hook as Van Gogh looks on as people admire his paintings at the Musee de Orsay.
Bill Nighy makes an uncredited cameo as an art expert who reduced Van Gogh to tears as he describes his contribution to art in less than 100 words while wearing another stand out bow tie.
Science fiction at its best.
It really is about the meaning of madness and depression. Van Gogh is the strange madman in the village whose paintings remain unappreciated. Society in his era did not understand depression.
The monster which is invisible (signifying mental illness) is alone, abandoned and blind. Lashing out because it is frightened.
Scottish actor Tony Curran, more often employed to play a heavy on American shows knows he has a role of a lifetime. He takes it by the scruff of the neck. His Vincent is wild, romantic and emotional. Seeing monsters where others do not. The Doctor is the only man he has met who understands his pain.
What makes this episode stand out is the photography, sound and the location shooting. Trogir in Croatia stands in for the fields of Provence. Magnificent use of visuals, look at the way the night sky begins to depict the painting of The Starry Night. The use of the song by Athlete to give it an emotional hook as Van Gogh looks on as people admire his paintings at the Musee de Orsay.
Bill Nighy makes an uncredited cameo as an art expert who reduced Van Gogh to tears as he describes his contribution to art in less than 100 words while wearing another stand out bow tie.
Science fiction at its best.
- Prismark10
- Sep 29, 2018
- Permalink
The sublime and the ridiculous, but with the sublime triumphant
- jrarichards
- Jun 11, 2016
- Permalink
A really engaging episode
Some people are reading too much into this
I thought this episode was excellent. OK, so maybe the history may be a bit off (what? You mean Van Gogh wasn't tormented by an invisible chicken?!!) but the story telling and the poignant ending are first class as is the acting. The whole accent thing is irrelevant as is the language. Doctor Who history shows that the TARDIS translates all languages, hence it might be that on this occasion Mr Gogh's native tongue is translated in such a way it sounds Scottish. On the whole though, who cares? The story went at a fast pace, the characters were believable and the ending was extremely sad (even the death of the monster). You really feel for Van Gogh's illness and realise that he can't be saved. As the Doctor said, some points are fixed in time. My 12 year old, one of the lads, son was in tears. Any programme that can do this has to be a winner.
- josh_parish
- Jun 6, 2010
- Permalink
A Doctor Who Tearjerker
This episode made me weep uncontrollably. I don't care that Tony Curran plays Vincent with his native Scottish accent. He truly embodied the tortured and suffering man that was Vincent Van Gogh. To have two of my favorite things together, Doctor Who and Vincent Van Gogh was just too good to be true but this episode has some very fine acting and some truly touching moments. I really did not want to like Matt Smith given how enamored I was of David Tennant's portrayal of the Doctor, but Matt has won me over. He plays the Doctor like a naughty, but sweet, child and he really is a fine actor. This episode also shines a light on the the fact that Karen Gillan can do something past her goofy, scolding turn as Amy Pond.
- dharmabum1966-1
- Jan 3, 2013
- Permalink
A Highlight
When I first saw this episode, I was 9 years old and I hated it. I thought that the story was boring and it was hard to keep focus and that the monster was a complete letdown. Now at a slightly older age, I am beginning to see why it is so Treasured. And even though a giant killer, invisible rooster isn't exactly the most menacing of threats, Vincent, The Doctor, Amy and even Dr Black make up for it by creating a moving episode that some could call a tearjerker. (Stupid term, I mean people don't actually have the tears ripped out from their eyes do they?) It managed to make me feel something, Happiness, which is a massive plus side seeing as I love and favour the more heartfelt and depressing ones. It actually made me smile at the ending. I smiled because of sheer it's level of bleakness. I'm not sure that everyone will think that that's a good thing.
- josephthedoctorcaleb
- May 31, 2015
- Permalink
The episode that amazed everyone
An Invisible Fiend...
Vincent Van Gogh has an invisible fiend, a torment of sorts and it's tricky to mend, all consuming and devouring, quite often overpowering, it affects the way you think, will take you to the brink, likely you need a protector, usually in the form of a doctor, but there's always help at hand, but not in Vincent's time and land.
A Decent Narrative Would Have Been Nice...
I approached this particular episode of Dr Who with some degree of cynicism and as I finally discovered, my initial cynicism was well founded...
Richard Curtis is fine with light comedy laced with a little bit of drama, but when faced with the sort of fast-paced, witty drama, mixed with clever plotting that a show like Dr Who demands, this where the writing and Curtis' lazy approach to narrative fall badly apart.
He takes an idea that had been floating around in his head for some time, then shoe-horns this into a Dr Who plot that never really works, clearly in this particular type of genre Curtis' is out of his depth - and it shows.
The 'monster-of-the-week' didn't work because this isn't really what Curtis was interested in and seems hastily inserted into the story as an after thought, or maybe at the behest of Head Writer/Executive Producer Steve Moffat, either way, it simply doesn't work.
The upside to this episode is the acting - from a lovely Bill Nighy cameo, to the charming Karen Gillan, to the sometimes variable Matt Smith and last (but not least) to the finely-tuned performance from Tony Curran, everybody seemed at their best in this story - and it is this fine standard of acting that elevates a fairly mediocre entry in the Dr Who canon to a higher level giving the substandard writing a strong emotional boost.
PG.
Richard Curtis is fine with light comedy laced with a little bit of drama, but when faced with the sort of fast-paced, witty drama, mixed with clever plotting that a show like Dr Who demands, this where the writing and Curtis' lazy approach to narrative fall badly apart.
He takes an idea that had been floating around in his head for some time, then shoe-horns this into a Dr Who plot that never really works, clearly in this particular type of genre Curtis' is out of his depth - and it shows.
The 'monster-of-the-week' didn't work because this isn't really what Curtis was interested in and seems hastily inserted into the story as an after thought, or maybe at the behest of Head Writer/Executive Producer Steve Moffat, either way, it simply doesn't work.
The upside to this episode is the acting - from a lovely Bill Nighy cameo, to the charming Karen Gillan, to the sometimes variable Matt Smith and last (but not least) to the finely-tuned performance from Tony Curran, everybody seemed at their best in this story - and it is this fine standard of acting that elevates a fairly mediocre entry in the Dr Who canon to a higher level giving the substandard writing a strong emotional boost.
PG.
Education - through the back door
- siobhanmccabe1-763-578818
- Jun 11, 2010
- Permalink
Superb
- Tractator29
- Jun 20, 2010
- Permalink
This episode was art. God damn art I tell you.
- prashanthkommini
- Nov 24, 2018
- Permalink
A poor monster but a great ending
An excellent example of what is best about Dr Who!
Forget the monster as that was pretty irrelevant and concentrate on the human aspect. Also forget the accents and the fact nobody seemed to know how to pronounce van Gogh properly. Tony Curran gave a really good performance and managed to convey the tortured artist even within the confines of what is essentially a children's programme. As with Chris Eccleston and his Dickens story and Dave Tennant and his Vesuvius tale we saw Matt showing the reverence the Doctor has for Historical characters who are doomed and he is unable to help. Some lovely acting both by Doctor and sidekick and an excellent example of what is best about Dr Who. I still think Matt the poorest of the new generation Doctors but he has shown a few moments as to why they hired him so I would imagine he will improve and show his worth. The stories so far have not been great except for this and the Angel episodes.....and the less said about the Dalek episode the better. Last weeks two parter was garbage apart from the Rory storyline but this one was exceptional and a nice glimpse of the humanity of the central characters. We saw it with Donna in the Pompeii episode and Rose in the Dickens one and Amy does well here. I have been watching this programme since it's first week with William Hartnell and in among the dodgy sets and the unconvincing monsters there have been sublime moments of real poignancy that have been worth all the effort. This was one of them. OK the monster did look silly and yes Vinnie was NOT Scottish but suspension of disbelief is important in programmes like this so why worry about plot holes too much. Every Doctor leaves important episodes behind. Even Sylvester McCoy. Maybe in years to come this one will be among Matt Smiths.
- doorsscorpywag
- Jun 5, 2010
- Permalink
Doctor Who at its best
- revans-58368
- Oct 15, 2015
- Permalink
Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.
- A_Kind_Of_CineMagic
- Jan 8, 2019
- Permalink
Brilliant!
I saw people praising this episode before, but since I got disappointed before, I didn't really have much hope. I didn't get used to Eleven yet and didn't like Amy. Well, I'm glad to say that I didn't get disappointed at all! The monster wasn't really good, but the episode itself and the portrayal of Van Gogh (whose name was pronounced wrong several times) was simply brilliant! What really got me was the scene in which The Doctor and Amy show the gallery to Vincent. I think it's one of the most wonderful scenes in Doctor Who history. And it made me like Amy a little bit more, since she showed care to Vincent and showed another side of her personality in general. All in all, it's an amazing episode and it's definitely one of my favourites!
- laraoswald
- Feb 4, 2016
- Permalink
Best ever?
One of the best doctors, the best companion, maybe the best single episode of Dr Who, possibly One of the best single episodes of TV of all time.
- barrymcdougall
- Jan 24, 2019
- Permalink
Why is this so beloved?
Is it just me, or is this episode really trite?