Doctor Who is more than just a legendary sci-fi show. Throughout its six-decade history, the show has managed to blend a wealth of history’s best influences with The Doctor’s intergalactic adventures. From Mary Seacole to Nikola Tesla, all of these figures have allowed fans to explore their true impact on the world while still enjoying what the universe has to offer.
In Season 5, the show welcomed one of history’s most unconventional artists and told his distressing story in a completely new light. “Vincent and the Doctor” didn’t shy away from Van Gogh’s mental illness and instead created an episode that still captures fans’ hearts to this day.
Vincent and the Doctor Puts a Spin on a Historical Legend
Season 5, Episode 10, “Vincent and the Doctor,” showcases The Doctor and Amy living alongside Vincent van Gogh in the weeks leading up to his suicide. Although the artist is deemed one of the greats, throughout his lifetime, his work was mercilessly mocked. Van Gogh also complains that an eerie face is following his every move, something that the audience later discovers is the Krafayis.
This episode is incredibly impressive because it showcases the depth of Vincent’s harrowing mental illness while also giving it a futuristic sci-fi overlay. It seems that the writers were well aware of their audience and didn’t want to alienate them by showing a legendary artist in the pits of his depression. Yet, the episode doesn’t skirt around the topic either. Vincent’s greatest enemy in this episode is the Krafayis, an invisible presence that tormented him and was a key part of his most famous work. Thus, by offering audiences an invisible monster, it gives off the impression that Vincent can see the alien because he has a better perception of the world. Although it could be argued that this gives off the impression that all mentally ill people are just tortured souls, in the context of this episode, it makes sense. Van Gogh’s illness made him do incredibly irrational things, including sending his severed ear to a prostitute. So, by allowing this character to face a unique monster, it ensures that his mental illness is seen almost as a metaphor rather than a trigger for some audiences.
“Vincent and the Doctor” also did a great job of weaving the artist into the plot so that he doesn’t stick out. Amy and The Doctor arrive at The Musée d’Orsay and spot a lurking figure in the background of The Church at Auvers and decide to investigate it for themselves. As such, this episode quickly sets up a story and keeps audiences interested straight away. It doesn’t rely on any exposition, making it a very digestible episode for casual Doctor Who viewers who may not be up-to-date with every aspect of the show’s lore. Plus, by making this a fairly simple episode, fans get to see more of Vincent and aren’t distracted by complexities in the plot. In turn, this is a prime example of how the franchise can focus on character-driven narratives that aren’t centered around The Doctor.
This Episode Also Shows a Lighter Side to Amy and The Doctor
There’s no denying that The Doctor and Amy have a great friendship, but some would argue that this relationship isn’t allowed to blossom because there are too many obstacles in the way. Whether it’s Rory’s jealousy or River Song popping up and distorting fans’ perception of time, a lot of things tend to stop Amy and The Doctor from strengthening their bond. Yet, this episode allowed the pair to get on like a house on fire. For example, The Doctor mentions that if Amy and Vincent had a baby, it would be considered to be the Ultimate Ginger.
Moments like these are exactly what fans need at times: a touch of banter to break up the dramatic tension. It also gives The Doctor and Amy time to grow as a pair without being pulled apart by other characters. Plus, subtle jokes help to exemplify Steven Moffat’s experience as a comedy writer, emphasizing the fact that Doctor Who is a show that defies all genres and is more of a blend of different motifs.
There is a great scene in the middle of this episode when Amy, The Doctor, and Vincent are lying in the middle of a field and staring up at the stars. Not only does this emphasize that the Time Lord and his companion are secure enough to include other people in their friendship, but it shows how much fun they can have when they are just together. Some audiences may see these interactions as a great contrast from the Tenth Doctor and Rose, who had a lot of intimate tension together. Thus, instead of spending all their time wondering whether The Doctor will finally get with his human counterpart, fans can simply enjoy two friends enjoying each other’s company.
This Episode Also Had Influences From a Key Rom-Com Writer
Aside from its fantastic cast and amazing locations, “Vincent and the Doctor” was also written by Richard Curtis. Fans will best recognize this screenwriter from many popular British rom-coms, such as Love Actually, Bridget Jones’ Diary, and About Time. He also worked on long-running sitcoms like The Vicar of Dibley and Blackadder, showcasing his prowess in both TV and film. Despite his influence, it’s fair to say that this episode feels a bit different from his usual work. Yet, his humorous touches and emotive pacing allowed this episode to showcase a different side to Doctor Who, one that focused on love and the importance of building a good legacy. Although Curtis admitted to not being the biggest fan of the show and only really took on the role because his children enjoyed it, the writer did a fantastic job of keeping the characters consistent. The Doctor didn’t feel like a Hugh-Grant type, and Amy certainly wasn’t seen as a woman who was down on her luck. He is also a big fan of Vincent himself and has read a few books on the artist’s legacy. This might not sound like much, but this is a lot of research for a writer who pens original screenplays. Curtis also placed a handful of Vincent’s pieces around his own home to ensure that his work could easily seep into the episode’s plot.
Overall, “Vincent and the Doctor” portrays mental illness in a very unconventional light, indicating that Van Gogh suffered immensely throughout his life and unfortunately didn’t get to see the fruits of his labor. Yet, this episode changes that in a very emotive way. By giving Vincent a chance to see his work in museums, the writers are giving the artist one more chance to shine and giving him the professional reputation that he deserves. Although Vincent had an incredible time with The Doctor and Amy, he still took his own life a few days later.
Again, this showcases that the writers were keen to stay true to Vincent’s actual life and weren’t concerned about sugarcoating it for the show’s young audience. What resulted was a powerful episode that was both fun and emotionally compelling in a tragic way fans will never forget.