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{{Infobox NewTV
{{title dab away}}
|image = [[File:S5e10promo.jpg|250px]]
{{real world}}
|story name = Vincent and the Doctor
{{ImageLinkTV}}
|series = [[Doctor Who]] – [[List of Doctor Who television stories|Television stories]]
{{Infobox Story SMW
|number = [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|Series 5]]
|image = VincentAndTheOtherDoctor.jpg
|series = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
|season number = Series 5 (Doctor Who 2005)
|series episode number = 10
|story number = 210
|story number = 210
|doctor = [[Eleventh Doctor]]
|scripturl        = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/doctor-who-5-episode-10-vincent-and-the-doctor-yellow-revisions-18122009.pdf
|companions = [[Amy Pond]]
|doctor = Eleventh Doctor
|enemy = [[Krafayis]]
|companions = [[Amy Pond|Amy]]
|setting = <ul><li>[[Auvers-sur-Oise]], [[Earth]], [[1890]]</li><li>[[Paris]], [[Earth]], [[2010]]</ul>
|featuring = [[Vincent van Gogh|Vincent]], [[Henry Black|Black]]
|writer = [[Richard Curtis]]
|enemy = [[Krafayis (Vincent and the Doctor)|Krafayis]]
|setting = {{il|[[Auvers-sur-Oise]], [[France]], [[1 June|1]]-[[3 June]], [[1890]]|[[Paris]], [[2010]]}}
|writer = Richard Curtis
|director = [[Jonny Campbell]]
|director = [[Jonny Campbell]]
|producer = [[Tracie Simpson]]/[[Patrick Schweitzer]]
|producer = [[Tracie Simpson]], [[Patrick Schweitzer]]
|broadcast date = 5th June 2010
|confidential = A Brush with Genius (CON episode)
|format = 1 × 45 minute episode
|broadcast date = 5 June 2010
|network = BBC One
|format = 1×47 minute episode
|production code = 1.10
|production code = 1.10
|previous story = [[Cold Blood]]
|prev = Cold Blood (TV story)
|next story = [[The Lodger (TV story)|The Lodger]]
|next = The Lodger (TV story)
}}
|made prev = The Vampires of Venice (TV story)
{{semi-protect}}
|made next = Amy's Choice (TV story)
'''Vincent and the Doctor''' is the tenth episode of [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|Series 5]].
|trailer = Doctor Who - Vincent and the Doctor trailer - BBC One
 
|clip = Vincent Van Gogh Visits the Gallery - Doctor Who Series 5 - BBC
== Synopsis ==
|thwr=100}}
During a visit to an art gallery with [[Amy]], [[Eleventh Doctor|the Doctor]]'s interest is caught by [[The Church at Auvers|a painting of a church]] by [[Vincent van Gogh]]: there's a face in the window of the church – a curious, shadowed creepy face with a beak and nasty eyes. The Doctor is worried, and is sure he has seen the face somewhere before. There is only one thing for it: a trip in the TARDIS back to [[1890]], so the Doctor can find out from the artist himself.
'''''Vincent and the Doctor''''' was the tenth episode of [[Series 5 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 5]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''.


==Plot==
It saw the Doctor befriend another famous figure in [[Vincent van Gogh]] and explored the lead-up to his [[suicide]].
[[File:Doctor-Who-Vincent-and-the-Doctor-1-170x125.jpg|thumb|left|The Doctor and Amy looking at van Gogh's painting of the Church at Auvers.]]
In a field of wheat, something begins running through it, scaring the crows away, while an artist paints the scene. The same painting, years later, hangs in the [[Musée d'Orsay]] in [[Paris]]. A man, [[Black|Dr. Black]], in glasses and a bowtie tells a group of people that the painting is one of [[Vincent van Gogh|van Gogh]]'s last paintings and that the last few months of his life were the most astonishing months of his artistic outpouring. As he compares van Gogh to [[Shakespeare]], [[Eleventh Doctor|the Doctor]] and [[Amy Pond|Amy]] pass behind him, admiring the pieces of art around them.


Amy thanks the Doctor for bringing her to the museum and asks why he is being so nice to her. The Doctor defends himself and Amy says that she was only joking, asking why he was being so serious. Dr. Black tells the group the value of van Gogh's work today, tens of millions, and compares it with the value of it when van Gogh died, the value of a sofa and some chairs.
In ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'', it's said that this episode shows how ''Doctor Who'' has heart unlike most science fiction stories, which leave out the compassion/humanity. It was also the intention to introduce the concept of mental illness to a younger audience, so they could grow up with the knowledge that they needed to be patient and understanding with those who were afflicted with it. It also marked another of the few times that the Doctor was unable to save a life; although in this case, it was because Vincent was tormented by inner demons that even the Time Lord couldn't reach. "The Doctor cannot [always] save someone from [themselves]."


A child says "He's the doctor." Thinking it is him, the Doctor turns around, only to discover the children are looking at a picture of van Gogh's doctor. Amy grabs the Doctor's hand and pulls him towards a painting of a church. As the Doctor admires the work, he notices something in the window of the church. Amy asks if it is a face and the Doctor tells her that it is, and that it isn't a nice face.
Along with ''[[Amy's Choice (TV story)|Amy's Choice]]'', this story neither features a [[Time field|crack in time]], nor does it make any mention to [[the Silence]]. However, [[Rory Williams|Rory]]'s absence is alluded to, giving the episode a defined place in the season's [[story arc]].


The Doctor approaches Dr. Black, interrupting his talk and asks him when the painting was painted, asking him to skip a long speech. Dr. Black tells him that it was probably between the first and third of June in 1890. The Doctor thanks him, then the two men compliment each others bow ties. The Doctor then grabs Amy's hand and pulls her away. She asks about looking at the rest of the paintings, but he shoves her ahead, telling her that it is a matter of life and death, and that they must talk to Vincent van Gogh.
The episode's addressment of [[mental health]] prompted the inclusion of a [[BBC Action Line]] tag at the end of the episode upon its original broadcast.


The [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] materializes and the Doctor and Amy exit. The Doctor tells Amy the plan, to find van Gogh, wait for him to take them to the church, then defeat the monster. Amy exclaims that it will be easy, but the Doctor disagrees. He says that van Gogh will probably be in the local café and describes it. Amy flicks through her van Gogh guide and finds a painting of it. The Doctor tells her that that painting is the one, then Amy points out that the real café is right infront of them.
== Synopsis ==
 
While taking [[Amy Pond|Amy]] to several peaceful locations, the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s trip to [[Musée d'Orsay|a museum]] takes turn for the worse: his interest is caught by [[The Church at Auvers|a painting of a church]] by [[Vincent van Gogh]]. What troubles the Doctor is that there's a [[Krafayis (Vincent and the Doctor)|face]] in the church's window; it's not a nice face, it's a curious, shadowed, creepy face with a beak and nasty eyes. The Doctor knows evil when he sees it and this face is definitely evil; it may pose a threat to the one who painted it. Only one thing will calm the Doctor's nerves: a trip in [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] to [[1890]] so he can find out from the artist himself.
The Doctor approaches the owner and asks about Vincent van Gogh. The owner disappears inside, so the Doctor asks the waitresses. The waitresses tell the Doctor and Amy that van Gogh is a mad drunk who never pays his bills. The Doctor tells them he's a good painter and the two women just laugh at him.
 
As the Doctor sits at a table, a man follows the owner out of the café and tries to bargain with him, one painting for a drink. The Doctor points to the man and mouths to Amy that he is van Gogh. The owner says that the painting is no good, and tells van Gogh to either pay for drinks or get out. The Doctor offers to either pay for van Gogh's drink or to buy the painting, to which van Gogh asks who the Doctor is. The Doctor tells him that he is new in town, to which van Gogh tells him three things; that he pays for his own drinks, that no-one buys his paintings lest they be laughed out of town and that Amy is cute, but the Doctor should not interfere.
 
Van Gogh returns to bargaining with the owner who still refuses to give him a drink, until Amy interferes and tells the two to shut up. She tells the owner that she will buy a bottle of wine, and will share it with whomever she wishes, looking at van Gogh. The owner agrees and follows Amy inside.


Inside, the Doctor and Amy talk with van Gogh. Van Gogh asks about Amy's accent and whether she comes from Holland. She replies "no" while the Doctor replies "yes" at the same time. The Doctor introduces himself properly as "the Doctor", which causes van Gogh to believe that he is a doctor sent by his brother to help him with his mental state. The Doctor laughs at the notion and points to a painting beside van Gogh. Amy says that it is one of her favourites, to which van Gogh tells her she's never seen it before. She covers up her mistake and van Gogh comments on her hair colour, so she comments on his.[[File:Vincent_and_Amy.jpg|thumb|Vincent and Amy at the Café.]]
== Plot ==
[[Eleventh Doctor|The Doctor]] and [[Amy Pond|Amy]] visit the [[Musée d'Orsay]] in [[Paris]], winter [[2010]]. They walk into the exhibit filled with the works [[Vincent van Gogh]], who is Amy's favourite painter. She thanks the Doctor for bringing her to see the paintings, which he accepts awkwardly. Seeing the Doctor fidgety, Amy asks him why he is being so nice to her, taking her to several places she wanted to visit and other peaceful locations, such as [[Arcadia (planet)|Arcadia]] and the [[Trojan Gardens]]. She jokes that she's suspicious, to which he defensively snaps that he is always nice to her and that there is nothing to be suspicious about. Amy tells the Doctor that she was just joking, but wonders why he's not.


The Doctor interrupts and asks Vincent if he has painted any churches lately and van Gogh tells him that he has been thinking about painting one church. The Doctor says that is good news, when someone screams, the Doctor says that that is not good news.
Before she can question the Doctor further, a child says, "It's the doctor," prompting them both to look behind them to see a child looking at the painting of [[Gachet|Vincent's doctor]]. The child reads his guide pamphlet to a friend, explaining Vincent painted it shortly after his mental health had started getting worse.[[File:Doctor-Who-Vincent-and-the-Doctor-1-170x125.jpg|thumb|left|The Doctor and Amy looking at van Gogh's painting ''[[The Church at Auvers]]''.]]Smiling, Amy resumes looking in her guidebook, spotting ''[[The Church at Auvers]]'' on the wall in front of them. They both admire the work, however the Doctor notices that something is wrong with the painting. In the windows of the church, there is an ominous face sneering. The Doctor grimly states that the face does not look friendly.


Out in the street, the three find a girl who has been killed. The mother of the girl pushes her way through, then blames Vincent for her daughter's death. She and some of the crowd throw stones at Vincent, so the Doctor, Amy and Vincent leave immediately. The Doctor asks Vincent if a similar murder has happened before. Vincent tells him that there was one a week ago and the Doctor says he thought so. He tells Vincent that he must get home. Vincent asks where the Doctor and Amy are staying, which the Doctor takes as an invite to stay with him. Amy nervously laughs and follows the Doctor, Vincent in tail of the two.
He immediately stops the [[curator]], Dr [[Henry Black]], in the middle of an explanation, using the [[psychic paper]] to pose as an inspector. The Doctor asks to know when ''The Church at Auvers'' was painted, asking Dr Black to be specific as possible. Dr Black tells him that it was painted between the [[1 June|first]] and the [[3 June|third of June]] [[1890]], one year before Van Gogh committed suicide. Complimenting Dr Black's [[bow tie]], the Doctor grabs Amy's hand and drags her away. When Amy tells him she wants to see the rest of the paintings, the Doctor tells her that it's a matter of life and death — they need to speak to Vincent Van Gogh!


Outside Vincent's home, the Doctor comments on the dark and the starry night. Van Gogh says that Amy and the Doctor will be alright to stay with him for one night, and one night only. Amy exclaims that they will be staying with him and the Doctor tells her until he paints the church.
[[The Doctor's TARDIS|The TARDIS]] materialises in [[Auvers-sur-Oise]] and the Doctor and Amy begin their search for van Gogh. Finding a [[café]] featured in one of his paintings, the Doctor questions two waitresses cleaning the tables outside. They say van Gogh is a mad [[alcohol|drunk]] who never pays his bills, and, when the Doctor says he's a good painter, they laugh heartily. The café owner rushes out, followed by a red-headed man trying to bargain with him. The owner exasperatedly informs him the painting is no good for a trade, given that it will frighten the other patrons; the man must either pay or leave. The customer is none other than van Gogh himself.


Inside, van Gogh lights a lamp and apologizes about the "clutter", saying he must really clear it out. Vincent offers coffee and after seeing Vincent put coffee on one of his works, the Doctor tells him to be careful with his work and that they are precious. Vincent disagrees with the Doctor, but Amy tells Vincent that they are precious to her. The Doctor asks about the church, to which Vincent asks about his obsession with it. The Doctor asks about Vincent, and Vincent tells him that it seems to him the world offers much more than the normal eye can see. The Doctor agrees with him, glancing at Amy.
The Doctor offers to pay for Vincent; either for the drink or the painting, which would allow Vincent to pay for a drink. Vincent becomes defensive, insisting he can pay for his own drinks, and warns the Doctor that to buy one of his paintings would be to bring ridicule upon himself from the townspeople. He makes to resume haggling with the café owner, but before he can, Amy interjects and offers to buy a bottle of [[wine]] which she will share with whomever she chooses, to which Vincent agrees. The café owner doesn't have a problem with this, so long as the drinks are paid for.


Soon after, Vincent wildly talks about colours and how he can hear them, and how he thinks. The Doctor stares at Vincent saying that he believes he has had enough coffee. The Doctor asks where Amy is and a scream comes from outside.
Inside the café, the Doctor introduces himself properly. Vincent misunderstands the title and believes him a doctor sent by his brother; the Doctor explains that he's not a medical doctor. Trying to make casual conversation, the Doctor learns from Vincent that he has arrived right before he is to paint the church. Amy sees a painting that Vincent has with him and quickly corrects herself when she praises it as one of her favourite paintings. Vincent then wonders if Amy is from [[Holland]] like himself, due to her accent; Amy honestly says no, but the Doctor "corrects" her and says "yes". Vincent and Amy begin flirting but stop at a scream from outside.


Vincent and the Doctor rush outside and find Amy on the ground, shaken, but not injured. The Doctor says not to worry that the attacker has gone, but Vincent screams and runs to get a fork. The Doctor tries to calm Vincent down, but Vincent runs towards them. Amy and the Doctor move to the side and van Gogh tells them to run. The Doctor agrees and tells Amy that Vincent is having a fit. The Doctor again tries to calm Vincent down, telling him that it is only him there, when something large knocks him off his feet. Amy shouts that she cannot see anything and asks what it is. The Doctor agrees that her question is good. He gets up and grabs a stick, telling Vincent he will help him fight it. Vincent asks the Doctor if he can see the creature too, to which the Doctor says he can, kind of, and finally not. The Doctor then gets hit again and thrown over a table, landing on his back. Vincent tells the Doctor that he couldn't see the creature. The Doctor returns to where the creature was, swinging his stick around, while Vincent attacks the creature and fends it off. Both Vincent and Amy watch as the Doctor continues to fight nothing, swinging his stick around. Vincent tells the Doctor that the creature has gone, to which the Doctor stops.
In the street, they find [[Young girl (Vincent and the Doctor)|a young girl]] has been brutally killed. [[Mother (Vincent and the Doctor)|Her mother]] pushes her way forward. Upon spotting Vincent, who everyone considers a madman, she takes her grief out on him, blaming him for her daughter's death. The crowd throws [[stone]]s at him, and the Doctor, Amy and van Gogh leave hastily. The Doctor learns this is the second recent [[murder]]. Vincent asks the Doctor and Amy where they are staying, which the Doctor takes as an invitation to stay at Vincent's studio.


The three return inside. The Doctor says that the creature was invisible, and asks Vincent what it looked like. Vincet says he'll show them and begins to paint over one of his paintings, much to the Doctor and Amy's horror. After he has finished, the Doctor takes the painting from van Gogh and gives Amy instructions to keep Vincent safe. Amy protests the Doctor going outside as it is dangerous, but the Doctor decides to still go, telling them he'll be back before they can say "where's he got to now?" The Doctor leaves and Amy turns back to Vincent. The Doctor screams "not that fast" to keep the two on their toes and says he'll be pretty fast, then leaves.
At the studio, Vincent apologises for the mess his collective works make and leads them inside. The Doctor's questions about the church begin to make Vincent suspicious, but this is soon forgotten when Amy and the Doctor to tell him that his paintings are precious. Explaining how he paints, Vincent tells them that he believes that there is so much more than what the normal eye can see. Having travelled throughout all of [[time]] and [[space]], the Doctor says that he doesn't need to be told.


The Doctor walks down the alleyways, seemingly being followed by the creature, but reaches the TARDIS before he comes to any danger. Inside, he drags a chest from one of the alcoves, talking to a specific item. He apologizes to the item, saying he thought it was just a useless, embarrassing present from his godmother, who had two heads and bad breath, on both the heads. He pulls out [[Species identifier|a machine]] attached to a mirror and puts it up on the TARDIS console. He links it up to the TARDIS and sticks his tongue out at it. The machine identifies the Doctor as "Doctor" and his home planet as [[Gallifrey]] and prints a copy out on the console's typewriter, including pictures of the [[First Doctor|first]] and [[Second Doctor|second]] incarnations. The Doctor then shows Vincent's drawing of the creature to the mirror in order to identify it. The machine first identifies it as a parrot, then a polar bear, both of which the Doctor dismisses. He then complains that the impressionists are not accurate enough and that it wouldn't happen with one of the "proper" painters, but then apologizes to Vincent. He says that Vincent will have to draw something better and throws the painting away behind him.[[File:Vincent_and_Doctor_tardis.jpg|thumb|left|The Doctor attempting to identify the 'invisible monster'.]]
After a bit too much [[coffee]], Vincent begins rambling on about how he hears the colours; the Doctor tries hearing for the voices of the colours as well. Vincent then explains that every time he leaves his home, he can hear the world yelling at him to capture the mysteries on canvas. The Doctor calmly tells Vincent that he has had enough coffee and offers to make some calming chamomile [[tea]]. However, he then notices that Amy is not in the room any more. A scream is heard coming from outside.


Leaving the TARDIS, now day, the Doctor alters the machine. The creature appears behind the Doctor, appearing in the mirror. The machine's "match" noise sounds and the Doctor says that there may be a time delay, but the machine always gets it in the end, not noticing the actual creature behind him. The Doctor reads the details on the creature, a [[Krafayis]], before noticing that it is directly behind him. The Doctor begins to run and hides behind a corner. He uses the mirror to see the creature charging towards him, before running again. He tries to slow the creature by blocking its path, and the creature hits its head on an archway. The Doctor hides behind another corner and sees the creature fleeing. He breathes a sigh of relief, before turning the corner and seeing Amy. Both of them scream and the Doctor says that she scared the living daylights out of him. Amy apologizes and says that she was bored of Vincent's snoring.
Vincent and the Doctor find Amy on the ground. She says that something attacked her while she was looking at the paintings. Vincent begins screaming in horror and backs away from them. The Doctor thinks that he is having some kind of fit as Vincent charges past them with a pitchfork. Vincent tells them to run as he swings the pitchfork around. The Doctor encourages Amy to take cover while he calms Vincent. However, Vincent yells for the Doctor to duck as he is swept off his feet by something large and invisible. Realising Vincent is ''not'' having a fit, but can actually see the beast, the Doctor grabs a stick to help fight it. As he cannot see it, he uselessly swings the stick around to help cover more ground. Vincent wards the creature off and tells the Doctor, who is still swinging the stick around, that the beast has left. The Doctor asks Vincent what the creature looked like; Vincent says that he'll show them...


The Doctor enters Vincent's room and opens the windows, letting in a flood of light and waking Vincent up. Vincet gets up as the Doctor leaves the room, telling Vincent that Amy brought him a present. Amy tells him she brought the present for saving her the previous night. Vincent looks out to see the outside surrounded by sunflowers. Amy suggests he paint the flowers, but Vincent says that they are not his favourite flower, much to the surprise of Amy and the Doctor. Vincent explains that he finds them complex, half-living and half-dying, a little disgusting, but a challenge. The Doctor tells Vincent he is sure he will rise to the challenge.[[File:AmySunflowers.png|thumb|Amy amidst the sunflowers.]]
Leading them back inside, Vincent whites out a canvas of flowers — much to Amy and the Doctor's horror — and proceeds to draw the creature on it. The Doctor is shocked by what it looks like and decides that something in the TARDIS can help identify what it is. He instructs Amy to look after Vincent and make him as comfortable as possible. He tells them he'll be back before they can ask where he's gotten to; he then immediately returns to scare them silly, telling them not to ask too fast.


The Doctor shows Vincent a picture of the Krafayis, explaining how the species travels in space as a pack and that they are a brutal race; if one falls behind, the rest of the pack do not return for it. He explains that this particular one has been left behind, and like the other Krafayis abandoned across the universe, it will kill without mercy until killed, which they usually are not, given their invisibility. The Doctor tells Vincent that they are in a unique position of being able to stop this one if Vincent paints the church. Vincent asks about the monster, but the Doctor tells him that if he paints the church, the monster will come. Vincent agrees and the Doctor tells him that he and Amy will be no longer bothering him by the next day and will be gone. After Vincent has left the room, the Doctor tells Amy that taking Vincent is risky. Amy asks if it is riskier than normal. The Doctor checks to see that Vincent is not listening and tells Amy that if Vincent is killed, half the pictures in the Musée d'Orsay will disappear and that it will be their fault.
Unknown to the Doctor, the invisible creature has not gone too far from the studio, and begins stalking him. By the time the Doctor gets back into town and to the TARDIS, the creature attempts to attack. However, the Doctor enters the TARDIS right before it can get to him.


The Doctor knocks on Vincent's door and enters. He finds Vincent on his bed crying. The Doctor asks if he can help. Vincent tells the Doctor that he and Amy will leave as everyone always leaves him, that he will be left with an empty heart and no hope. The Doctor tells Vincent that his experience is that there is always hope, but Vincent tells him that he does not have a full experience and that he knows it will not end well. The Doctor tries to console him, but Vincent gets angry and tells him to get out. The Doctor leaves.
Inside the TARDIS, the Doctor rummages through a drawer full of junk, apologising to the object he is looking for as he thought it was an embarrassing gift from a dull two-headed [[The Doctor's godmother|godmother]] with bad breath. Pulling out a [[Species identifier|portable device]], the Doctor hooks it to the printer on the [[TARDIS console|console]]. He smiles at the mirror-like attachment on the device, and it shows his [[First Doctor|first]] [[Second Doctor|two]] incarnations and his personal information. Seeing that it works, the Doctor shows the device Vincent's painting, which it misinterprets as a [[parrot]] and [[polar bear]], unable to clearly make out what it is. Annoyed, the Doctor tosses the painting aside; he grumbles that Vincent will have to try painting something better.


Amy asks the Doctor what is happening and the Doctor explains how delicate Vincent is, that he will eventually shoot himself, and that is why they should leave. After looking at some of Vincent's paintings, the Doctor says that he and Amy must go to the church and hope that the Krafayis still turns up. Before they can leave, Vincent appears at the door, fully clothed and ready to go, selecting a paintbrush.
It's dawn by the time the Doctor exits the TARDIS. Strapping the device to himself, he does not notice the creature reflected by the device. Having got a clear image of the creature, the device beeps, giving the Doctor the information about it; he mistakenly believes that it needed some time to get it right. Reading the information, the Doctor feels sorry for the "poor, brutal thing," wishing to see it again soon. Upon seeing the beast's reflection, he calmly says "but not ''that'' soon", before running off to escape it. To obstruct the creature's path, the Doctor drops debris behind him to slow the creature as he hides behind a corner. Using the mirror on the device, the Doctor finds that it has left in a different direction. He turns around, only to be scared by Amy; he demands to know why she left Vincent unguarded. Amy explains that though she loves his artwork, she finds it hard to like Vincent's snoring.


Amy, walking arm in arm with Vincent, tells him that she is sorry he is sad. He tells her that the moods he has last for weeks or even months, but that he can soldier on if she can. She tells him that she is not soldiering on but he says to her that he can hear the song of her sadness and points out that she is crying. He tells Amy that he understands but Amy replies, telling him that she does not. The Doctor, having listened to the conversation interrupts and proposes a plan. Vincent says that they will fight the creature, but the Doctor explains that it needs to be more developed, that he needs to be able to see the creature as well. Amy asks how the Doctor is supposed to see the monster, to which he replies that he has the answer inside a box he is carrying, giving praise to his godmother.
Back at the studio, the Doctor wakes Vincent, who steps into the courtyard to see Amy surrounded by [[sunflower]]s; she tells Vincent it's her way of thanking him for saving her yesterday. Amy suggests he paint them, but Vincent explains they are not his favourite; Amy is confused by this, as Vincent ''will'' paint a picture of them. Vincent explains he finds them complex, half-living and half-dying, but it would be a challenge, to which the Doctor responds that he believes that he'll rise to the occasion.


Further up the road, the three see the funeral of the girl who was killed the previous night. They stand at the side of the road, Vincent having taken his hat off in respect, as the coffin passes with sunflowers on top. Amy asks the Doctor if he has a plan, to which he tells her that he doesn't, but something similarly greater.
Giving Vincent a print-out of the creature, the Doctor explains that it's called a [[Krafayis]]. They travel through space in packs, a brutal race of scavengers. This one has apparently been abandoned. It will kill without mercy until it is killed — unlikely, given its [[invisibility]]. Nonetheless, he assures Vincent they can stop the killings if he will paint the church. Vincent agrees and the Doctor informs him that, afterwards, he and Amy will leave. Once Vincent has departed, the Doctor expresses concern at putting him in such a dangerous situation; if he is killed, half of the paintings on display in the Musée d'Orsay will vanish.


Vincent sets up his easle as the Doctor makes sure that he will be told when the creature appears. Vincent tells the Doctor that he is mad and not stupid. The Doctor begins to explain that he may not actually be mad, just deeply depressed, but Vincent tells him to shush, and that he is working.
After a while, the Doctor and Amy have gotten tired of waiting for Vincent getting ready. Wondering what is keeping him, the Doctor finds him lying in bed, sobbing. He is devastated the Doctor and Amy are prepared to leave him, like everyone else. The Doctor tries to console and encourage Vincent, whose mood becomes more violent. He orders the Doctor to leave; shocked, he complies. Outside Vicent's room, the Doctor runs into Amy, who wonders what they're doing. The Doctor explains that they're leaving; Vincent has a fragile psyche and will [[suicide|kill himself]] in just a few short months; trying to force Vincent might accelerate his suicide and cause the disappearance of his final works. They will have to try finding the Krafayis without Vincent's help, hoping it will still arrive at the church without the presence of the painter. However, right before they can leave, Vincent arrives, calmed and ready.


As Vincent paints, the Doctor talks about watching [[Michaelangelo]] painting the Sistine Chaple, and how he winged because he was afraid of heights but Amy tells him to shush. Later he moves on to [[Picasso]], and how he tried to advise him on his paintings. Much later, the Doctor, bored, asks if time normally passes really slowly and in the correct order. He stands up and tells Amy and Vincent that he can't stand an unpunctual alien attack. Amy asks if he is nervous, when Vincent tells the two that the monster is now at the window.
On the way to the church, Amy tries to talk to Vincent about his depression. Vincent explains that his moods sometimes bother him for months at a time, but they got lucky today; he adds if she can "soldier on," then he can too. This confuses her, which prompts Vincent to reveal he can hear her sadness and believes that she has [[Cold Blood (TV story)|recently lost someone]]. He also points out she is crying, which she hadn't realised. The Doctor listens in, surprised. They stop in the road as a funeral procession, for the girl who was killed the previous night, passes; everyone glares at Vincent. Amy questions the Doctor, wondering what his plan is this time. However, the Doctor tells her he's got something ''like'' a plan, "only more greatness"; he's armed with overconfidence, a [[sonic screwdriver]] and the device in his briefcase.


The Doctor tells Amy and Vincent that he is going in, so Vincent tells him that he is going in too. The Doctor stresses that Vincent is Vincent van Gogh, and that he is not going in. Vincent protests that the Doctor is not armed, but the Doctor tells him that he is, with overconfidence, the machine and a [[Sonic screwdriver|small screwdriver]]. The Doctor says that all he needs to do is find the correct prozac setting to stun the creature. He gives Amy one simple instruction, not to follow him and signals to Vincent to watch her. Amy agrees and the Doctor heads towards the church. Vincent leans in towards Amy and asks if she will follow him, and she tells him that she will. Vincent then tells Amy that he loves her.
At the church, Vincent begins to paint. The Doctor spends the time talking to Vincent about his past meetings with [[Michelangelo]], who took the job of painting the [[Sistine Chapel]] despite being afraid of heights, and [[Pablo Picasso]], who he tried getting to paint normal faces. As it becomes night, the Doctor becomes frustrated as [[Krafayis (Vincent and the Doctor)|the Krafayis]] is not punctual, confessing to Amy that something doesn't feel right. Just then, Vincent sees the beast in the window. The Doctor goes inside, ordering his companions not to follow. Vincent questions Amy as to if she will follow the Doctor; she responds, "of course," prompting Vincent to tell her he loves her. Inside, the Doctor "fights" the creature, but when his device is destroyed, he prepares to retreat. Outside, Amy and Vincent hear the chaos. Amy runs inside, calling for the Doctor.


Just outside the chapel, the Doctor opens his box and takes out the machine. He puts it on and before heading into the chapel, looks at a carving above the door, a carving of an angel slaying a dragon. Inside, the Doctor looks around for the Krafayis. Outside, Amy asks Vincent if the Krafayis has moved. Vincent tells her that it hasn't, but suddenly tells her that it has turned around. After approaching the window where the Krafayis was, the Doctor believes the creature has moved. Suddenly, a hand knocks the Doctor flying. Amy and Vincent hear the crash, look at each other and head inside to help the Doctor. The Doctor recovers from his fall and tries to stun the Krafayis. He runs towards a room when he bumps into Amy. The two of them hide in a confessions box to hide. While inside, the Doctor tells Amy to breath quieter. Amy says that she cannot, then believes that it has walked past them. Then the Krafayis begins attacking the confessions box, and the Doctor compliments its excellent hearing.
The Doctor attempts to exit the church but bumps into Amy. Despite being annoyed that she disobeyed him again, he forces her to hide in the confessional with him. They whisper to each other as the Krafayis attacks them. The Doctor remarks the Krafayis has incredible hearing. As it tears the confessionals apart, Vincent appears, brandishing a chair to distract the beast, allowing the Doctor and Amy to escape. The Doctor tries stunning the beast with the sonic screwdriver, but since he can't see it, he can't tell if he has the right setting; Vincent says the attempt to stun the beast pleased it instead. As a result, the Doctor gives up on the idea and they take refuge in another chamber, with Vincent blocking the door with his chair. Thinking quickly about why the Krafayis was left behind, the Doctor accidentally refers to Vincent as Rory while rambling; Amy is confused by this, but the Doctor quickly covers up his mistake. Vincent tells them to wait there as he has an idea, promptly leaving out another exit.


Vincent then calls on the monster, fighting it with a chair, while telling Amy and the Doctor to get behind him. The Doctor, twice, tries to stun the Krafayis again but is unsuccessful and on the second attempt, the Krafayis actually seems to enjoy it. Vincent tells the Doctor to duck as the creature takes a swipe at him, then to move to his left. However, because of miscommunication, left being Vincent's left and not the Doctor's, the Doctor is hit by the monster against a wall. The Doctor suggests that they run like crazy and regroup, so Amy chooses the nearest room to hide in. They get in the room and attempt to close the door until the creature blocks it with its foot. Vincent, however, stands on the foot and the creature retreats.
In Vincent's absence, the Doctor attempts to reason with the creature (thanks to the [[Translation circuit|TARDIS translation circuit]]), telling it he too is [[Time Lord|alone]]; he offers to help the creature. The Krafayis stops its attempts to break down the door and everything goes silent, and, for a moment, the Doctor thinks he managed to it to listen to reason. However, this notion is dispelled immediately when the chamber windows blow out. The Doctor and Amy take over behind a tomb as they hear the beast enter the room.


The Doctor begins to tell Amy and Vincent his plan, but accidentally calls Vincent, Rory. When Amy asks what the plan is, the Doctor tells her that the only plan he is sure of his that he will only use his sonic screwdriver to screw in screws in future. Vincent tells Amy and the Doctor to give him a second and that he will be back. The Doctor considers talking to the Krafayis and hearing his side of the story. Although he thinks the Krafayis may not be in the mood for it, the Doctor but tries anyway. The Doctor explains to the creature that he understands that it is trapped on the planet and alone, and tells it that he is also alone. Suddenly, the window behind them smashes open and the invisible creature jumps through.
Vincent returns with his easel, holding it like a weapon. He says the creature is making its way around the edges of the room. Amy's comment of "I can't see a thing"'' ''helps the Doctor put all the pieces together and he calls himself an idiot for not noticing this sooner. Slapping himself, the Doctor explains why the Krafayis is feeling its way around the room, how it has such perfect hearing, why it hasn't simply killed them and why it was left behind by its pack; it is [[blindness|blind]]. Vincent points out that the perfect hearing "would explain why it has now turned around and is now running right at us!"


Vincent returns with his easle, holding the feet up, the spikes being used as a weapon. The Doctor asks what it is doing and is told it is feeling it's way around the room. The Doctor calls himself stupid and comments that he is getting old. The Doctor figures out that the Krafayis is blind and raises his voice when mentioning the fact it has perfect hearing. Vincent then tells them that it is now charging towards them. Vincent runs forward as the creature charges, telling the Doctor and Amy to get back. The creature is stabbed by the easle, and Vincent is sent hanging in the air. As the creature falls to the ground, Vincent lets go of the easle and lands on his feet.
As it attacks, Vincent stabs the Krafayis with the legs of the easel. It collapses, badly wounded and dying. It begins crying as it is afraid, and the Doctor consoles it as it dies. Vincent mourns that he didn't mean to kill it, only wound it, and that he understands its lonely existence. The Krafayis was lashing out in fear, just like the people who hate Vincent for being a madman.


Vincent tells the Doctor that he didn't mean to kill the creature, and the Doctor comforts it as it dies. He makes out that the creature says that it is afraid and the Doctor tells it not to be while stroking it. Vincent compares the Krafayis to humans who lash out when they are frightened, much like those in the town that scream at him and the children who throw stones at him. The Doctor then says that sometimes winning is no fun at all.
Amy, Vincent, and the Doctor lie in the grass outside the church; Vincent says they are lucky to still be alive to see the wonders of the world. Vincent encourages them to see the world as he does, saying the blackness of the sky is actually multiple shades of blue. Smiling, the Doctor admits that he has seen many amazing things in his life, but nothing quite as wonderful as what Vincent sees. Vincent tells his friends he will miss them when they're gone.


Amy, Vincent and the Doctor lie in a field and hold hands. Vincent asks the other two to see the world as he does, describing the night sky. The Doctor tells him that he has seen nothing as wonderful as what Vincent has. Vincent tells the Doctor and Amy that he will miss them when they are gone.[[File:Vincent,_Amy_and_the_Doctor.jpg|thumb|The Doctor, Vincent and Amy gazing up at the 'Starry Night']]
[[3 June|The next morning]], Vincent attempts to give his self-portrait as a parting gift, but the Doctor, knowing what it will be worth one day, refuses it. The painter takes this in stride; he's used to having his works of art refused. Vincent admits that, despite his experiences over the last couple of days, he won't do well on his own. As the Doctor and Amy depart, he gets an idea, asking Amy if she has the same one; she doesn't as she's thinking about grabbing breakfast at the café. The Doctor calls to Vincent, who looks out his window, half-dressed, and tells him to tidy up as there is something he wants to show him.


The next morning, Vincent tries to give the Doctor a self portrait as a gift, but the Doctor refuses (though Vincent isn't surprised). Vincent hugs Amy who tells him to be good and kind to himself and to trim his beard before next kissing someone. Vincent also tells Amy that if she tires of the Doctor, she should return and they could have children together. Vincent then tells the Doctor that he thinks he might not do as well on his own than when he was with him. They embrace in a hug, then Amy and the Doctor leave.
They take him to the TARDIS, which is now covered in circus posters; the Doctor slices through them with the [[TARDIS key]] and opens the doors of his time machine. The Doctor reminds Vincent about how they talked about the wonders of the [[universe]] before showing him inside. Seeing the inside, Vincent examines the outside and returns to the Doctor and Amy. He enters, amused, asking how ''he's'' "[[crazy]]" while they've managed to remain sane. The Doctor explains some of the buttons on the console, secretly steering the TARDIS. Vincent is amazed by all the Doctor has told him and asks that they come back to the café and explain more about the wonders of the universe. However, the Doctor tells him that there is something they wish to show him first.


Outside, the Doctor asks Amy if she is thinking what he is thinking. She replies telling him she wants food before they leave, not exactly what the Doctor was thinking. The Doctor then calls Vincent, who hangs out a window, and tells him he has something to show him and to tidy himself up first.
Stepping outside, they reveal to Vincent that they're now at the Musée d'Orsay in 2010; the [[time vortex]] energy has also reduced the posters covering the TARDIS to cinders. The Doctor and Amy lead Vincent into the [[museum]], leaving his hat back in the TARDIS to avoid arousing suspicion of his identity. Led through the building, Vincent looks in awe at the exhibits, then is even more surprised when he is led into the section dedicated completely to his paintings. While Vincent stares at people enjoying his work, the Doctor finds Dr Black again, and asks if he can summarise where Vincent stands in history. Dr Black is taken aback, as it's a "big question".


The Doctor takes Vincent to a poster covered TARDIS and lets him inside. Vincent then peers out of the TARDIS and feels the outside walls before going back in and asking how he is crazy and the Doctor and Amy are sane. The Doctor enters and takes Vincent's hat off him, placing it on the hatstand. Amy closes the door and they head to the console. Vincent asks what all of the buttons do and the Doctor explains several of them; one which plays soothing music, one which makes a large noise and one which makes everything shake. Vincent asks what a button does and the Doctor lunges forward to stop Vincent from pressing it, telling him that it is the Friction Contrafibulator. Then Vincent asks what another button does, to which the Doctor tells him that it is ketchup, then points to another which he calls mustard.
Vincent is close enough to hear his response, and hears Dr Black praises van Gogh for turning his pain into incredible beauty, calling him not only the world's greatest artist but also one of the greatest men of all time. Vincent is reduced to tears by these words and the Doctor starts to apologise, thinking this was too much for him. However, Vincent explains he's crying out of joy; now he knows that people will love his paintings. He hugs Dr Black and thanks him for his kind words before leaving with his friends. Dr Black is confused and suspects the truth before thinking better of it.


Vincent asks them back to the café, but the Doctor tells him that he wishes to show him something first. In Paris 2010, outside the Musée d'Orsay, the last few posters burn off the TARDIS. Amy, Vincent and the Doctor step outside and head into the museum, the Doctor explaining when and where they are.
Vincent is returned to 1890, where he comments on what has happened and thanks the Doctor for truly helping him where other doctors have not; the Doctor is equally joyous, bidding his new friend farewell. Vincent then tells Amy that should she grow bored of the Doctor, she should return and they will have a big family. Amy tells Vincent that she's "not the marrying type"; the Doctor is subtly distressed to hear this. Leaving for home, Vincent hears the TARDIS leave and turns back to see it gone. He then leaves, happy, and sure he will use his experience to change himself into a new man.


The three enter the van Gogh exhibition. Vincent looks around at his work in awe at the number of people looking at them. The Doctor then asks Dr. Black to tell him where van Gogh stands in the importance of the history of art. Amy positions Vincent behind Dr. Black so he can hear all the positive things he thinks of him; that he is the finest painter of them all, the most popular painter who managed to transform his pain into beauty, that he was not only the world's greatest artist but also one of the greatest men of all time.[[File:Vincent_Musee_d'Orsay.jpg|thumb|left|Vincent in the Musée d'Orsay]]
The Doctor and Amy return to the Musée d'Orsay. Amy is certain their time with Vincent changed him. Having seen people's lives turn out better from meeting them, Amy believes that they have prevented Vincent from committing suicide, and that he would have spent a longer life painting. Ecstatic at the prospect of seeing new paintings, Amy happily skips back into the exhibit. However, to her shock, there are no new works. To her furthering sadness, she overhears Dr Black still announce to tourists that van Gogh still went through with committing suicide at the age of thirty-seven.


At hearing these words, Vincent begins to cry, but when the Doctor asks if it is too much, he replies that they are tears of joy. Vincent then kisses, hugs and thanks Dr. Black, apologizing about his beard after. Dr. Black then walks away, but pauses for a moment to ponder. He looks back and then dismisses the thought.
Amy is heartbroken that they didn't make a difference in Vincent's life at all, but the Doctor rejects this. He says that good things can't remove the pain of bad things, but bad things can't spoil the good things either, and they certainly added a large amount of good to Vincent's life. The Doctor shows Amy that the face of the Krafayis is no longer visible in the window of the church. Another change becomes evident as they prepare to leave. Amy sees Van Gogh's [[Sunflowers|painting]] of sunflowers, now dedicated to her. Amy jokes that if she had a child with Vincent, they would have had really red hair. The Doctor jokes back, saying it would be the "Ultimate [[Ginger (trait)|Ginger]]". Amy cries as they both laugh.


The Doctor returns Vincent to his own place and time. Vincent tells the Doctor that he will be a new man and the Doctor tells Vincent that it has been an honour. Amy then hugs Vincent as he jokes about her marital status, to which Amy tells him she in not the marrying kind. The TARDIS departs and Vincent walks off.
== Cast ==
* [[Eleventh Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Matt Smith]]
* [[Amy Pond]] - [[Karen Gillan]]
* [[Vincent van Gogh|Vincent]] - [[Tony Curran]]
* [[Maurice (Vincent and the Doctor)|Maurice]] - [[Nik Howden]]
* [[Mother (Vincent and the Doctor)|Mother]] - [[Chrissie Cotterill]]
* [[Waitress (Vincent and the Doctor)|Waitress]] - [[Sarah Counsell]]
* [[School children (Vincent and the Doctor)|School children]] - [[Morgan Overton]], [[Andrew Byrne]]


[[File:Sunflower_Amy.jpg|thumb|Vincent's dedication of ''Sunflowers'' for Amy.]]Amy and the Doctor return to the Musée d'Orsay, Amy believing that there will be hundreds more paintings, but the Doctor is doubtful. In the gallery, Amy finds no new paintings and hears Dr. Black still saying that he commited suicide at age 37. Amy thinks that they didn't make a difference to Vincent's life at all, but the Doctor explains to her that although good things can't remove the bad things, the bad things can't spoil the good things, and that they certainly added a large amount of good things to Vincent's life. The Doctor also shows Amy that they did make a couple of minor changes, such as the non-existance of the evil face in the church window.
=== Uncredited cast ===
* Dr [[Henry Black]] - [[Bill Nighy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rs69w/features/vincent-and-the-doctor-the-fourth-dimension|title=The Fourth Dimension: Vincent and the Doctor|date of source=|website name=BBC One - Doctor Who|accessdate=18 October 2012}}</ref>


As Amy walks away, she walks towards another painting, one of sunflowers, which she sees is dedicated in her name. She tells the Doctor that if they had been married, their children would have had very red hair. The Doctor calls them the "Ultimate Ginger". Amy smiles at him and says the "Ultimate Ginge". The two chuckle together as Amy tears up.
== Crew ==
 
==Cast==
*[[Eleventh Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Matt Smith]]
*[[Amy Pond]] - [[Karen Gillan]]
*[[Vincent van Gogh]] - [[Tony Curran]]
*[[Dr Black]] - [[Bill Nighy]] (uncredited)
*[[Mother (Vincent and the Doctor)|Mother]] - [[Chrissie Cotterill]]
*[[Student (I) (Vincent and the Doctor)|Student]] - [[Morgan Overton]]
*[[Student (II) (Vincent and the Doctor)|Student]] - [[Andrew Byrne]]
*[[Maurice]] - [[Nik Howden]]
*[[Waitress (Vincent and the Doctor)|Waitress]] - [[Sarah Counsell]]
 
==Crew ==
{{wales crew
{{wales crew
|1stAD=John Bennett
|1stAD=John Bennett (assistant director)
|2ndAD=James Dehaviland
|2ndAD=James DeHaviland
|3rdAD=Heddi-Joy Taylor-Welch
|3rdAD=Heddi-Joy Taylor-Welch
|Runner=Nicola Eynon Price
|Runner=Nicola Eynon Price
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|UnitManager=Rhys Griffiths
|UnitManager=Rhys Griffiths
|AssistantUnitManager=
|AssistantUnitManager=
|ProductionManager=Holly Pullinger
|ProductionManager=
|ProductionCoOrdinator=Jess van Niekerk
|ProductionCoOrdinator=Jess van Niekerk
|AsstProductionCoOrdinator=
|AsstProductionCoOrdinator=
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|2ndCameraOperator=
|2ndCameraOperator=
|BCameraOperator=Matthew Poynter
|BCameraOperator=Matthew Poynter
|FocusPuller=Steeve Rees
|FocusPuller=Steve Rees
|FocusPuller2=
|FocusPuller2=
|2ndUnitFocusPuller=
|2ndUnitFocusPuller=
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|ArtDeptProdManager=
|ArtDeptProdManager=
|AssociateDesigner=James North
|AssociateDesigner=James North
|ProductionBuyer=Ben Morris
|ProductionBuyer=Ben Morris (crew){{!}}Ben Morris
|SetDecorator=Keith Dunne
|SetDecorator=Keith Dunne
|PropsBuyer=Catherine Samuel
|PropsBuyer=Catherine Samuel
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|GraphicArtist=Jackson Pope
|GraphicArtist=Jackson Pope
|StandbyProps=Phil Shellard
|StandbyProps=Phil Shellard
|StandbyProps2=Rom Evans
|StandbyProps2=Tom Evans
|StandbyProps3=
|StandbyProps3=
|StandbyCarpenter=Will Pope
|StandbyCarpenter=Will Pope
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|PropsStoreman=
|PropsStoreman=
|DressingProps=Martin Broadbent
|DressingProps=Martin Broadbent
|DressingProps2=Rhys Jones
|DressingProps2=Rhys Jones (props)
|PropsFabricationManager=Barry Jones<!--new-->
|PropsFabricationManager=Barry Jones<!--new-->
|ForwardDresser=
|ForwardDresser=
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|Make-upDesigner=Barbara Southcott
|Make-upDesigner=Barbara Southcott
|VisualEffects=The Mill
|VisualEffects=The Mill
|VisualFXProducer=
|VisualFXProducer2=
|VisualFXSupervisor=
|VisualFXSupervisor2=
|SpecialEffects=Real SFX
|SpecialEffects=Real SFX
|Prosthetics=
|Prosthetics=
Line 379: Line 371:
|ProductionDesigner=Edward Thomas
|ProductionDesigner=Edward Thomas
|DOP=Tony Slater Ling<!--act. spelling-->
|DOP=Tony Slater Ling<!--act. spelling-->
|ProductionManager=
|LineProducer=Patrick Schweitzer
|LineProducer=Patrick Schweitzer
|AssociateProducer=
|AssociateProducer=
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|InMemoryOf=
|InMemoryOf=
|Note=This was the first episode of the [[BBC Wales]] series to have two credited script editors.  Oddly, [[Emma Freud]] was credited at the end of the roll, suggesting she was considered more "senior" than [[Brian Minchin]].   
|Note=This was the first episode of the [[BBC Wales]] series to have two credited script editors.  Oddly, [[Emma Freud]] was credited at the end of the roll, suggesting she was considered more "senior" than [[Brian Minchin]].   
|Note2=As on ''[[The Vampires of Venice]]'', [[Patrick Schweitzer]] was double-credited as both [[producer]] and [[line producer]].
|Note2=As on ''[[The Vampires of Venice (TV story)|The Vampires of Venice]]'', [[Patrick Schweitzer]] was double-credited as both [[producer]] and [[line producer]].
<!--There are note variables from Note2 to Note20, but these are probably only necessary for the odd case of "The End of Time".  This set of variables are the only ones which aren't automatically linked; it's just a freeform note field.  All Notes mass together in a single paragraph at the end of the table created by this template.  Thus, each individual note should be a full sentence ending with a period, and should have any links enclosed in [[brackets]].
<!--There are note variables from Note2 to Note20, but these are probably only necessary for the odd case of "The End of Time".  This set of variables are the only ones which aren't automatically linked; it's just a freeform note field.  All Notes mass together in a single paragraph at the end of the table created by this template.  Thus, each individual note should be a full sentence ending with a period, and should have any links enclosed in [[brackets]].
--><!--The following credits are generally more "American", and thus almost exclusively limited to the 1996 Paul McGann movie. -->
--><!--The following credits are generally more "American", and thus almost exclusively limited to the 1996 Paul McGann movie. -->
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}}
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==References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
*The episode makes numerous direct and indirect references to van Gogh's most famous works, though artistic liberty was taken in regard to their chronology and the locations in which they were painted. While the setting for the episode was ostensibly Auvers-Sur-Oise, the last place of residence and resting place of van Gogh, where he painted ''Church at Auvers'', inspiration for the set decoration of his home and the cafe he frequented (or rather was frequently thrown ''out'' of), came from works he previously produced while living in Arles several years before (''Bedroom in Arles'', ''Cafe Terrance at Night''). Also, while the episode suggested Amy Pond inspired van Gogh to paint sunflowers, particularly ''Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers'', to which he then 'dedicated' to her, they were, in fact, painted in 1887 and 1888.
* The exhibit is called [[Vincent van Gogh: The Great Innovator]].
*Van Gogh works referenced in the episode include: ''Church at Auvers'' (1890), ''Bedroom in Arles'' (1887), ''Cafe Terrance at Night'' (1888), ''Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers'' (1888), ''Portrait of Dr. Gachet'' (1890), ''The Starry Night'' (1889), ''Wheatfield With Crows'' (1890), ''Vincent's Chair with His Pipe'' (1888), ''Self-Portrait with Straw Hat'' (1887).
* The Doctor uses [[crosactic energy]] to stun the Krafayis.
*Among the posters covering the TARDIS are those for the cafe Au Tambourin at 27 Rue Richelieu in Paris, which was the first place to exhibit van Gogh's artwork in Paris.
* The Doctor makes a reference to the film ''[[Field of Dreams]]'', saying "If you paint it, he will come..."
*The Doctor refers to having met [[Michaelangelo]] and [[Pablo Picasso]].
* The Doctor has taken Amy to visit [[Arcadia (planet)|Arcadia]] and the [[Trojan Gardens]].
*The Doctor expresses frustration with van Gogh's 'impressionist' style when attempting to identify the invisible monster (though van Gogh is considered to be post-Impressionist by art historians), suggesting that this would "never happen with [[Gainsborough]], one of those ''proper'' painters." While this suggests the Doctor's affinity for some notion of 'scientific accuracy' over emotive artistic expression, he later humbly tells Vincent that while he has seen many things, "you are right, nothing quite as wonderful as the things you see."
* The title came from the film ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_%26_Theo Vincent and Theo],'' which was about the relationship between van Gogh and his younger brother Theodorus.


==Story notes ==
=== The TARDIS ===
*The episode was incorrectly entitled, '''Lend Me Your Ear'''. However, no mention or reference was made in the episode regarding van Gogh's ear at all.
* The paper placed on the exterior of the TARDIS is incinerated once it is brought into the [[time vortex]].
*Unlike most stories in this series, this story focuses much more on characters than plot, and has hints and references to van Gogh's depression and suicide, something the series has not explored very much before. In fact, a message and phone number for the 'BBC Action Line' was broadcast following the 'Next Time' trail, for those wanting more information on 'issues raised in this program.'
* The Retro-version of the TARDIS console has a [[friction contrafibulator]], two switches with a red and yellow head that the Doctor notes are "Ketchup" and "Mustard", and near these two switches is a Type V 310-A AC/DC receiver constructed by [[Magpie Electricals]].
*Pictures of the First and Second Doctors are printed on the TARDIS' typewriter.
 
*This is the second story in the series to lack any cracks, silence, or other foreshadowing of the series' finale(the first being Amys Choice). However, it does tie in to [[Rory]]'s death and establishes that, on some level, Amy is aware he has died.
=== People from the real world ===
*Although originally believed to be standalone, spoilers make this story involved with the series arc, some mentioning van Gogh's paintings, one of which is Dr. Gatchet, relating to the finale. Dr. Gatchet is supposed to be appearing in the mentioned episode. Others include van Gogh communicating a disturbing prophecy to the Doctor in the finale through one of his paintings, and a van Gogh reference in [[DW]]: ''[[The Lodger]]''.
* The Doctor has met [[Michelangelo]] and [[Pablo Picasso]].
*[[Bill Nighy]] was not credited for his role.
* The Doctor expresses frustration with van Gogh's style, suggesting that this would "never happen with [[Thomas Gainsborough|Gainsborough]]".
*Numerous positive or affirmative references were made in the episode to van Gogh and Amy's hair colour, perhaps in a conscious effort to address the accusation by some viewers of the program being 'anti-ginger' (the so-called 'ginger' controversy).
 
*The song used for the final scenes is "Chances" by Athlete.
== Story notes ==
*Amy attempting to get Vincent to paint 'The Sunflowers' is similar to Rose trying to get Queen Victoria to say, "I am not amused." ([[DW]]: ''[[Tooth and Claw]]'')
* [[Richard Curtis]]' preferred title for the adventure was ''Eyes That See the Darkness''. It drew upon the description of van Gogh as having “eyes that know the darkness in my soul” in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_McLean Don McLean]'s 1971 song ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_(Don_McLean_song) Vincent]'', which was itself inspired by ''[[Starry Night]]''. [[Steven Moffat]], however, preferred a less abstruse title.
===Ratings===
* Unlike most stories in this series, this story focuses much more on characters than plot, and has hints and references to van Gogh's struggle with bipolar disorder and suicide, something the series has not explored deeply before. A message and phone number for the "BBC Action Line" was broadcast following the "Next Time" trailer for those wanting more information on "issues raised in this program".
* Pictures of the [[First Doctor|First]] and [[Second Doctor]]s are printed on the TARDIS's typewriter.
* The accordion player in the café is clearly playing a rendition of "[[I Am the Doctor|I Am The Doctor]]" from the series 5 soundtrack.
* This is the second story in the series to lack any cracks, silence, or other foreshadowing of the series finale, the first being ''[[Amy's Choice (TV story)|Amy's Choice]]''. However, it does tie in to [[Rory Williams|Rory]]'s death and establishes that, on some level, Amy is aware he has died.
* [[Bill Nighy]] agreed to take the part on condition that he was not credited, no publicity photos were taken of him, and he did not have to give any interviews.
* The song used for the scenes of Van Gogh in the museum is "[[Chances]]" by [[Athlete (band)|Athlete]]. This was [[Matt Smith]]'s idea, as he was a fan of the band.
* This is the first episode since 1963 to end on a [[wiktionary:cut to black|cut to black]].
* Van Gogh works referenced in the episode include: ''[[Church at Auvers]]'' (1890), ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedroom_in_Arles Bedroom in Arles]'' (1887), ''[[The Café Terrace]]'' (1888), ''[[Vase with Twelve Sunflowers|Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers]]'' (1888), ''[[Portrait of Dr. Gachet]]'' (1890), ''[[The Starry Night]]'' (1889), ''[[Wheatfield with Crows]]'' (1890), ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Gogh%27s_Chair Vincent's Chair with His Pipe]'' (1888), ''[[Self-Portrait with Straw Hat]]'' (1887), and ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond_Blossoms Almond Blossoms]'' (1890).
* During the ''[[Doctor Who: Lockdown!]]'' tweetalong of this episode in [[2020 (releases)|2020]], [[Matt Smith]] opined that "[[Henry Black|Doctor Black]]" may in fact be an alias of a future incarnation of [[the Doctor]] checking back on his younger self and helping him along, quite like [[the Curator]]. This would retrospectively make ''Vincent and the Doctor'' a backdoor [[List of multi-Doctor stories|multi-Doctor story]], although such an identity is not known to have been anybody's intent in the filming, and has yet to be confirmed by any sources deemed [[Tardis:Valid sources|valid]] on this Wiki.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/LockdownWho/status/1244686573167403008 |title=#TheUltimateGinger |author = Smith, M. |date of source=30 March 2020|website name=Twitter |accessdate=24 November 2020}}</ref>
* The self-portrait of Vincent is not an exact replica; it is altered slightly to resemble [[Tony Curran]]. This painting would later show up as an image in an historical archive in ''[[Smile (TV story)|Smile]]''.
* [[Richard Curtis]] had been fascinated by the life of Vincent Van Gough. Though it was a subject he knew "quite a lot" about, he still read a 200-page biography of Van Gogh, which was more research than he normally would have done if working on other projects; he took Van Gogh very seriously. As such, he wanted to be "truthful rather than cruel" and refused to write any jokes about Van Gogh's ears after he famously cut one of them off.
* [[Bill Nighy]] filmed his key cameo in a day.
* The scene with the Doctor, Amy and Vincent lying in a field was inspired by the painting ''Starry Night''.
* [[Steven Moffat]] named this as his favourite [[Eleventh Doctor]] episode.
* To write the script, [[Richard Curtis]] and his wife [[Emma Freud]], who routinely worked as his script editor, took their four children to Italy for a month. After a week in which little headway was made, the family had the idea to arrange a spare room in their rented former schoolhouse in the manner of van Gogh's 1888 painting ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedroom_in_Arles Bedroom in Arles]''. Curtis then enjoyed quick progress, bolstered by nightly viewings of past ''Doctor Who'' episodes. Input came from his children, with daughter [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlett_Curtis Scarlett] suggesting that it could be ''[[The Church at Auvers]]'' in which the Krafayis appeared. The family had seen the original masterpiece in the collection of the [[Musée d'Orsay]].
* Due to time constraints, several scenes were cut. These included several scenes involving Madame Vernet - the mother of the slain Giselle - as well as the revelation that the Doctor knows of the Krafayis from a book of scary stories he read as a child on Gallifrey. The latter plot strand would have caused the Doctor to be jittery throughout his time in Auvers, and would also have presaged the climactic revelation about the Krafayis' handicap, since the book was titled ''Blind Fury''.
* When writing the script, [[Richard Curtis]] put up prints of Van Gogh paintings around the house as well as a board with index cards outlining the plot.
* [[Richard Curtis]] asked [[Steven Moffat]] to criticise "anything and everything" and later said he was very honest. Moffat told Curtis that it needed to "start quicker" and that the meeting with the Doctor and Vincent was "dull" and needed to be something "cute" like Curtis had done in his films. He also noted that the Doctor did not talk as much as Curtis had written and recommended Curtis watch some episodes to see he was "rather efficient in the way that he talked". Curtis enjoyed the experience, commenting that it was "fun" to work within boundaries rather than doing it all himself. After seeing a read-through performed by [[Matt Smith]] and [[Karen Gillan]], Curtis made more changes. He commented that it was easy to write for them as they were "so delightful and modern and relaxed".
* The producers have stated that they cast someone as high profile as [[Bill Nighy]] for such a small part was because they needed the audience to listen to what the character said (which in this case were important biographical information about Vincent Van Gogh).
* [[Bill Nighy]] and [[Tony Curran]] have both appeared in the ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld_(film_series) Underworld]'' series, playing elder vampires Vincent and Marcus.
* It was [[Steven Moffat]]'s idea that the Krafayis be invisible.
* When the Doctor and Amy say goodbye to Vincent and he stands in the field, the wide shot of him as the TARDIS fades has two branches cut through the middle of the frame which somewhat resemble half of the crack from Amy's bedroom.
* The original script was a pure character piece where the Doctor and Amy visit Van Gogh and spend an uneventful few days with him. The execs insisted they needed to fight a monster.
* [[Richard Curtis]] wanted to write for the show because he thought it would be "something my kids would like."
* In [[2020]], [[Karen Gillan]] later revealed on [[Twitter]] that her father got her a Van Gough ''Sunflowers'' painting for her [[birthday]].
* [[Matt Smith]] named this as one of his favourite episodes because it was shot in Croatia.
* [[Steven Moffat]] met [[Richard Curtis]] at [[Red Nose Day 1999]], where Moffat contributed [[The Curse of Fatal Death (TV story)|''The Curse of Fatal Death''.]]
* [[Steven Moffat]] knew that [[Richard Curtis]] wasn't a fan of the series and the writer pondered his offer to contribute a script for some time. However, he happened to live next door to [[David Morrissey]], who was co-starring in ''[[The Next Doctor (TV story)|The Next Doctor]]''. Their families watched the broadcast together, after which Curtis' children demanded that he accept Moffat's invitation.
* [[Richard Curtis]] had enjoyed the show's historical episodes and felt comfortable writing one. He had the idea of a story centred on van Gogh for "a long while" and was particularly interested in the fact van Gogh never knew he would be famous, as well as his inspirational story. [[Steven Moffat]] was initially cool to this approach, which he worried would be inappropriate for the programme's audience, but he was eventually persuaded by Curtis' ideas for the script. Nonetheless, it was agreed that the story would avoid focusing on the more sordid aspects of van Gogh's life, such as the amputation of a portion of his left ear.  
* [[Richard Curtis]] chose to fictionalise some aspects of van Gogh's history; for example, he set his script at the Yellow House which van Gogh had rented in Arles from 1888 to 1889, but he reimagined the associated events as taking place in June 1890, when van Gogh was actually living in Auvers-sur-Oise.
* Krafayis was originally spelled Crafayis.
* For much of the story's development, there were in fact two Krafayis, with the second committing suicide after van Gogh inadvertently killed its mate, rather than face the agony of loneliness.
* This episode formed Block Five of season five, along with ''[[The Vampires of Venice (TV story)|The Vampires of Venice]].''
* Although principal photography was scheduled to take place in November and December 2009, [[Jonny Campbell]] made the unusual decision to film material for one scene months earlier. This was the shot of the wheat field used at the beginning of the episode, which would have been out of season in late autumn.
* A six-foot turntable was used for the sequence where van Gogh realised the enormous impact which his artwork had had upon the world.
* [[Bill Nighy]] collaborated with [[Richard Curtis]] on the films ''[[Love Actually]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boat_That_Rocked The Boat That Rocked]'' and ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/About_Time_(2013_film) About Time].''
* The first day of filming in Trogir was hit by rain, so the cast and crew travelled ten kilometres west, to the village of Vrsine, where, [[Jonny Campbell]] taped the scene of the Doctor, Amy and Vincent lying in a field.
* Though it was a subject he knew "quite a lot" about, [[Richard Curtis]] still read a 200-page biography of van Gogh, which was more research than he normally would have done if working on other projects; he took van Gogh very seriously. As such, he wanted to be "truthful rather than cruel" and refused to write any jokes about van Gogh's ears after he famously cut one of them off. However, he did incorporate other humour as he naturally wanted to "try to make things funny".
* [[Richard Curtis]] stated that casting an actor to play van Gogh was done carefully, as he wanted him to feel to the audience as van Gogh, not "like a bloke they've seen acting lots of other parts, in an orange wig".
* [[Richard Curtis]] called [[Tony Curran]] a "wonderful actor" who "really could not look more like" van Gogh.
* [[Tony Curran]], [[Matt Smith]] and [[Karen Gillan]] got to know each other very well, which Gillan hoped would be evident in their chemistry in the episode.
* The cafe was modelled after the painting ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_Terrace_at_Night Café Terrace at Night]''. This proved challenging for the art department, which looked extensively for a suitable building in Croatia to use. Once the artists found the one they wanted, they had to redesign it to look like the painting; this involved putting an awning up, changing the windows, and adding a platform with tables and chairs.
* [[Richard Curtis]] stated that the climactic scene in the art gallery has transcended the episode.
* It was [[Matt Smith]] who suggested "[[Chances]]" by [[Athlete]] be used in the ending, as he was a big fan of the band.
* During his commentary for the 2020 Doctor Who Lockdown watchalong of the episode, [[Richard Curtis]] said that the episode was inspired by and a tribute to a family member who had struggled with depression.
* [[Bill Nighy]] had previously been rumoured as a candidate for the [[Ninth Doctor|Ninth]] or [[Tenth Doctor|Tenth]] Doctors. He joked that he lost the latter because [[David Tennant]] was better looking.
 
=== Ratings ===
* Overnight viewing figures were 5.0 million.
* Official viewing figures were 6.29 million viewers.
* Final UK ratings were 6.76 million viewers.<ref>[http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings&type=date Doctor Who Ratings - UK final]</ref>
 
=== Myths ===
''to be added''
''to be added''


=== Filming locations ===
=== Filming locations ===
*National Museum of Wales [http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/nmw#091127]
* National Museum of Wales <ref>http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/nmw#091127</ref>
*Trogir, Croatia [http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/trogir]
* Trogir, Croatia <ref>http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/trogir</ref>
*Roald Dahl Plass [http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/roalddahlplass#100106], which is supposed to double for the Musée d'Orsay in Paris
* Roald Dahl Plass <ref>http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/roalddahlplass#100106</ref>, which is supposed to double for the Musée d'Orsay in Paris
 
=== Production errors ===
{{discontinuity}}
* When running through the streets with his mirror, the Doctor screams, "Ahh", but his mouth is not synced with his screaming.
* For most of the episode, Amy is wearing tights. During the church scene, when van Gogh starts painting the church, they're gone. Later on, when the group are hiding from the monster, she's wearing them again.
* When in the chapel looking for the monster, the Doctor switches the mirror from his left to right side while holding his sonic screwdriver. For each change, the camera angle also changes, and the sonic screwdriver changes from being in closed mode and extended mode.
* At the beginning, when looking at the painting of the church, the Doctor scratches his head. When the camera is behind the Doctor, he uses his right hand but when the camera cuts to in front of him, he is using his left hand.
* When the Krafayis first appears in the visual recognition system, it is directly behind the Doctor, who is next to the TARDIS. When the Doctor runs away, it is heard chasing him. The Doctor hides behind a wall and using the mirror sees the creature, but it is still beside the TARDIS.
* When in the chapel running away from the Krafayis, the Doctor is attacked by the monster, knocking him off his feet and into a nearby wall. For one shot, the wire that lifts Matt Smith off his feet and into the wall can be seen clearly.
* When visiting the museum for the final time, the Krafayis is still slightly visible in the painting.
 
== Continuity ==
* The Doctor and Dr [[Henry Black|Black]] compliment each other's bow ties, the Doctor saying again that "bow ties are cool". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Eleventh Hour (TV story)|The Eleventh Hour]]'', ''[[Amy's Choice (TV story)|Amy's Choice]]'')
* The Doctor once again mentions that he is ageing mentally, in contrast to his physical appearance. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time Crash (TV story)|Time Crash]]'', ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'')
* The Doctor mentions [[Rory Williams|Rory]], to which Amy asks, "Who?" Amy also says that the Doctor is being extra kind to her, as unbeknownst to her he is feeling guilty about Rory's erasure from time. Van Gogh also sees that Amy is crying, although she doesn't know why; he theorises that she has lost someone. After receiving a half-joking marriage proposal from Vincent, Amy tells him that she's "not the marrying kind". ([[TV]]: ''[[Cold Blood (TV story)|Cold Blood]]'')
* The Doctor has previously tried to ask a companion who has recently left to do something. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rescue (TV story)|The Rescue]]'')
* Taking a companion to a pleasant exhibit after the death of a fellow companion is something the [[Fifth Doctor]] attempted to do earlier for [[Nyssa]] and [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Time-Flight (TV story)|Time-Flight]]'')
* Vincent van Gogh has romantic feelings for Amy. Previously, [[William Shakespeare]] made advances towards [[Martha Jones]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Shakespeare Code (TV story)|The Shakespeare Code]]'') and [[Madame de Pompadour]] fell in love with the [[Tenth Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace (TV story)|The Girl in the Fireplace]]'')
* The Doctor urges Vincent away from the [[Friction contrafibulator]]. Later, he would use it to stabilise the TARDIS. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'')
* The Doctor has met [[Michelangelo]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Fallen Angels (audio story)|Fallen Angels]]'')


===Rumours===
== Home video releases ==
*It was rumoured that either the Timoreen, the Ha'rik or the Skarkish will appear. ''The monster was a Krafayis.''
[[File:Series-5-volume-4-dvd-cover.jpg|thumb|Series 5 Volume 4 DVD Cover]]
*It was rumoured that Vincent van Gogh will stab a yellow monster. ''He stabbed the Krafayis, the monster was pale yellow.''


*Howard Lee plays a character called "Dr. Gachet" [http://www.spotlight.com/interactive/cv/1/m9409]. Dr. Gachet was van Gogh's real doctor, who nursed him during his final years. ''He was mentioned but he was not actually in the episode.''
=== DVD & Blu-ray releases ===
*Nighy plays a van Gogh expert, with similar fashion tastes to the Doctor himself. ''This turned out also true. He also wore a bowtie''.
*Steven Moffat stated in a recent interview that the controversial topic of the regeneration limit for Time Lords will be "addressed in a very, very cheeky way by an old friend of mine" at some point in Series 5. [http://www.kasterborous.com/2010/04/16/regeneration-limit-explained/] As the "old friend" could very well be Richard Curtis, the issue might be addressed in this episode. ''This turned out to be false for this episode, but it could happen in later episodes with Alex Kingston's character River Song addressing the subject, as Steven Moffatt created her character.''
*As a Vincent van Gogh painting will feature in the events of "[[The Pandorica Opens]]", it was likely that this story would bring more developments to the main story arc of the series. [http://doctorwhotv.co.uk/date/2010/05] ''This was not the case, with the episode being more or less a stand-alone story, but apparently the finale will still feature a van Gogh painting in some way. This connection may be illuminated in "The Lodger", as a pamphlet for a van Gogh exhibit can be seen on Craig's fridge in the trailer. Although, the Doctor does take a van Gogh painting inside the TARDIS trying to identify the Krafayis, he pitches the painting over his shoulder into the TARDIS. Perhaps that painting is the one to carry a message 1,000 years into the future.''
*It was rumoured that Vincent will propose to Amy or ask the Doctor to travel with them because in the preview clips, he shows a large interest in Amy and the Doctor and even tells Amy that he loves her. ''This turned out true.''


===Production errors ===
* Series 5, Volume Four was released on DVD and Blu-Ray in region 2/B on [[6 September (releases)|6 September]] [[2010 (releases)|2010]] and region 4/B on [[7 October (releases)|7 October]] 2010. The volume features ''Vincent and the Doctor'', ''The Lodger'', ''The Pandorica Opens'' and ''The Big Bang'', and the featurette ''The Monster Diaries''.
*When running through the streets with his mirror, the Doctor screams "Ahh", but his mouth is not synced with his screaming.
* The episode was later released in the Complete Fifth Series boxset on both DVD and Blu-ray, in region 1/A on [[9 November (releases)|9 November]] 2010, in region 2/B on [[8 November (releases)|8 November]] 2010 and in region 4/B on [[2 December (releases)|2 December]] 2010.
*For most of the episode, Amy is wearing tights. During the church scene, when van Gogh starts painting the Church, they've gone. Later on when the group are hiding from the monster, she's wearing them again, as was the case with the previous episode.
* A DVD-only release of Series 5, Part Two, containing the latter seven episodes of the series, was released in region 1 on [[26 July (releases)|26 July]] [[2016 (releases)|2016]].
*When in the chapel looking for the monster, the Doctor switches the mirror from his left to right side while holding his sonic screwdriver. For each change, the camera angle also changes, and the sonic screwdriver changes from being in closed mode and extended mode.
*At the beginning, when looking at the painting of the church, the Doctor scratches his head. When the camera is behind the Doctor, he uses his right hand but when the camera cuts to in front of him, he is using his left hand.


==Continuity ==
=== Digital releases ===
{{discontinuity}}
*The Doctor and [[Black|Dr. Black]] compliment each other's bow ties, the Doctor exclaiming again that "bow ties are cool". ({{DW|The Eleventh Hour|Amy's Choice}})
*The Doctor mentions that he had a godmother with two heads. Before his [[Tenth Doctor|ninth regeneration]], he declared that he might have ended up with two heads. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Parting of the Ways]]'') Although it seemed like a joke at the time, this statement suggests that a regeneration actually could result in the creation of an extra head. It may also be a reference to the [[Aplan]]s. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Time of Angels]]'')
*The [[First Doctor|first]] and [[Second Doctor|second Doctors]] are pictured.
*The Doctor finds his [[species identifier]] device by rifling through a chest in the TARDIS' alcoves; this plot device for providing artifacts and tools was utilised in several of the previous incarnations' series (e.g. [[DW]]: ''[[The Abominable Snowmen]]'', where the [[Second Doctor]] finds a holy Tibetan bell and [[Jamie McCrimmon|Jamie]] a set of bagpipes). It has also been used in the [[Tenth Doctor]]'s era, in which he retrieved an [[Agatha Christie]] novel. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Unicorn and the Wasp]]'')
* The Doctor once again mentions that he is aging mentally, contrasting with his physical appearance. ([[DW]]: ''[[Time Crash]],'' ''[[The End of Time]]'')
* Amy mentions that the Doctor took her to [[Arcadia]]. The planet was featured in [[NA]]: ''[[Deceit]]'', and the "fall of Arcadia" was mentioned as one of the events of the [[Last Great Time War|Time War]] in [[DW]]: ''[[Doomsday]]''.
* The Doctor mentions [[Rory Williams|Rory]], to which Amy asks "who?" Amy also says that the Doctor is being extra kind to her, feeling guilty about Rory's erasure. Van Gogh also sees that Amy is crying, although she doesn't know why; he theorises that she has lost someone. After receiving a half-joking marriage proposal from Vincent, Amy tells him that she's "not the marrying kind". ([[DW]]: ''[[Cold Blood]]'').
* This marks the fourth episode this season which opens on a nature shot. {{DW|The Time of Angels|Amy's Choice|The Hungry Earth}} and this episode all open on beautiful, wide-open fields on bright, sunny days.
* Vincent van Gogh is the second historical figure in the new series to have romantic feelings for one of the Doctor's companions and the third to have such feelings for a member of the TARDIS crew. Previously, [[William Shakespeare]] made advances towards [[Martha Jones]], and [[Madame de Pompadour]] fell in love with [[Tenth Doctor|the Doctor]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Shakespeare Code]]'', ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace]]'')


== Home video releases ==
* In the United Kingdom, this story is available on [[BBC iPlayer]].
[[BBC Video]] - Doctor Who Series Five - Volume Three will feature [[Amy's Choice]], [[The Hungry Earth]], [[Cold Blood]] and Vincent and the Doctor. It will be released on Monday 2nd August 2010 (UK Only) on DVD and Blu-ray.<ref>DWM 421, Page 18</ref>


==External links==
== External links ==
''to be added''
{{dwrefguide|who_tv54.htm|Vincent and the Doctor}}
{{Lockx}}


==Footnotes==
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{DWTV}}
{{TitleSort}}


{{Series 5}}
[[Category:Doctor Who (2005) television stories]]
[[Category:2010 television stories]]
[[Category:Eleventh Doctor episodes]]
[[Category:Stories set in France]]
[[Category:Stories set in Paris]]
[[Category:Stories set in Paris]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1890]]
[[Category:Stories set in 1890]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2010]]
[[Category:Stories set in 2010]]
[[Category:Series 5 (Doctor Who) stories]]
[[Category:BFI-exhibited television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in France]]
[[es:Vincent y el Doctor]]
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[[ru:Винсент и Доктор]]

Latest revision as of 17:49, 3 November 2024

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Vincent and the Doctor was the tenth episode of series 5 of Doctor Who.

It saw the Doctor befriend another famous figure in Vincent van Gogh and explored the lead-up to his suicide.

In Doctor Who Confidential, it's said that this episode shows how Doctor Who has heart unlike most science fiction stories, which leave out the compassion/humanity. It was also the intention to introduce the concept of mental illness to a younger audience, so they could grow up with the knowledge that they needed to be patient and understanding with those who were afflicted with it. It also marked another of the few times that the Doctor was unable to save a life; although in this case, it was because Vincent was tormented by inner demons that even the Time Lord couldn't reach. "The Doctor cannot [always] save someone from [themselves]."

Along with Amy's Choice, this story neither features a crack in time, nor does it make any mention to the Silence. However, Rory's absence is alluded to, giving the episode a defined place in the season's story arc.

The episode's addressment of mental health prompted the inclusion of a BBC Action Line tag at the end of the episode upon its original broadcast.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

While taking Amy to several peaceful locations, the Eleventh Doctor's trip to a museum takes turn for the worse: his interest is caught by a painting of a church by Vincent van Gogh. What troubles the Doctor is that there's a face in the church's window; it's not a nice face, it's a curious, shadowed, creepy face with a beak and nasty eyes. The Doctor knows evil when he sees it and this face is definitely evil; it may pose a threat to the one who painted it. Only one thing will calm the Doctor's nerves: a trip in the TARDIS to 1890 so he can find out from the artist himself.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Doctor and Amy visit the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, winter 2010. They walk into the exhibit filled with the works Vincent van Gogh, who is Amy's favourite painter. She thanks the Doctor for bringing her to see the paintings, which he accepts awkwardly. Seeing the Doctor fidgety, Amy asks him why he is being so nice to her, taking her to several places she wanted to visit and other peaceful locations, such as Arcadia and the Trojan Gardens. She jokes that she's suspicious, to which he defensively snaps that he is always nice to her and that there is nothing to be suspicious about. Amy tells the Doctor that she was just joking, but wonders why he's not.

Before she can question the Doctor further, a child says, "It's the doctor," prompting them both to look behind them to see a child looking at the painting of Vincent's doctor. The child reads his guide pamphlet to a friend, explaining Vincent painted it shortly after his mental health had started getting worse.

The Doctor and Amy looking at van Gogh's painting The Church at Auvers.

Smiling, Amy resumes looking in her guidebook, spotting The Church at Auvers on the wall in front of them. They both admire the work, however the Doctor notices that something is wrong with the painting. In the windows of the church, there is an ominous face sneering. The Doctor grimly states that the face does not look friendly.

He immediately stops the curator, Dr Henry Black, in the middle of an explanation, using the psychic paper to pose as an inspector. The Doctor asks to know when The Church at Auvers was painted, asking Dr Black to be specific as possible. Dr Black tells him that it was painted between the first and the third of June 1890, one year before Van Gogh committed suicide. Complimenting Dr Black's bow tie, the Doctor grabs Amy's hand and drags her away. When Amy tells him she wants to see the rest of the paintings, the Doctor tells her that it's a matter of life and death — they need to speak to Vincent Van Gogh!

The TARDIS materialises in Auvers-sur-Oise and the Doctor and Amy begin their search for van Gogh. Finding a café featured in one of his paintings, the Doctor questions two waitresses cleaning the tables outside. They say van Gogh is a mad drunk who never pays his bills, and, when the Doctor says he's a good painter, they laugh heartily. The café owner rushes out, followed by a red-headed man trying to bargain with him. The owner exasperatedly informs him the painting is no good for a trade, given that it will frighten the other patrons; the man must either pay or leave. The customer is none other than van Gogh himself.

The Doctor offers to pay for Vincent; either for the drink or the painting, which would allow Vincent to pay for a drink. Vincent becomes defensive, insisting he can pay for his own drinks, and warns the Doctor that to buy one of his paintings would be to bring ridicule upon himself from the townspeople. He makes to resume haggling with the café owner, but before he can, Amy interjects and offers to buy a bottle of wine which she will share with whomever she chooses, to which Vincent agrees. The café owner doesn't have a problem with this, so long as the drinks are paid for.

Inside the café, the Doctor introduces himself properly. Vincent misunderstands the title and believes him a doctor sent by his brother; the Doctor explains that he's not a medical doctor. Trying to make casual conversation, the Doctor learns from Vincent that he has arrived right before he is to paint the church. Amy sees a painting that Vincent has with him and quickly corrects herself when she praises it as one of her favourite paintings. Vincent then wonders if Amy is from Holland like himself, due to her accent; Amy honestly says no, but the Doctor "corrects" her and says "yes". Vincent and Amy begin flirting but stop at a scream from outside.

In the street, they find a young girl has been brutally killed. Her mother pushes her way forward. Upon spotting Vincent, who everyone considers a madman, she takes her grief out on him, blaming him for her daughter's death. The crowd throws stones at him, and the Doctor, Amy and van Gogh leave hastily. The Doctor learns this is the second recent murder. Vincent asks the Doctor and Amy where they are staying, which the Doctor takes as an invitation to stay at Vincent's studio.

At the studio, Vincent apologises for the mess his collective works make and leads them inside. The Doctor's questions about the church begin to make Vincent suspicious, but this is soon forgotten when Amy and the Doctor to tell him that his paintings are precious. Explaining how he paints, Vincent tells them that he believes that there is so much more than what the normal eye can see. Having travelled throughout all of time and space, the Doctor says that he doesn't need to be told.

After a bit too much coffee, Vincent begins rambling on about how he hears the colours; the Doctor tries hearing for the voices of the colours as well. Vincent then explains that every time he leaves his home, he can hear the world yelling at him to capture the mysteries on canvas. The Doctor calmly tells Vincent that he has had enough coffee and offers to make some calming chamomile tea. However, he then notices that Amy is not in the room any more. A scream is heard coming from outside.

Vincent and the Doctor find Amy on the ground. She says that something attacked her while she was looking at the paintings. Vincent begins screaming in horror and backs away from them. The Doctor thinks that he is having some kind of fit as Vincent charges past them with a pitchfork. Vincent tells them to run as he swings the pitchfork around. The Doctor encourages Amy to take cover while he calms Vincent. However, Vincent yells for the Doctor to duck as he is swept off his feet by something large and invisible. Realising Vincent is not having a fit, but can actually see the beast, the Doctor grabs a stick to help fight it. As he cannot see it, he uselessly swings the stick around to help cover more ground. Vincent wards the creature off and tells the Doctor, who is still swinging the stick around, that the beast has left. The Doctor asks Vincent what the creature looked like; Vincent says that he'll show them...

Leading them back inside, Vincent whites out a canvas of flowers — much to Amy and the Doctor's horror — and proceeds to draw the creature on it. The Doctor is shocked by what it looks like and decides that something in the TARDIS can help identify what it is. He instructs Amy to look after Vincent and make him as comfortable as possible. He tells them he'll be back before they can ask where he's gotten to; he then immediately returns to scare them silly, telling them not to ask too fast.

Unknown to the Doctor, the invisible creature has not gone too far from the studio, and begins stalking him. By the time the Doctor gets back into town and to the TARDIS, the creature attempts to attack. However, the Doctor enters the TARDIS right before it can get to him.

Inside the TARDIS, the Doctor rummages through a drawer full of junk, apologising to the object he is looking for as he thought it was an embarrassing gift from a dull two-headed godmother with bad breath. Pulling out a portable device, the Doctor hooks it to the printer on the console. He smiles at the mirror-like attachment on the device, and it shows his first two incarnations and his personal information. Seeing that it works, the Doctor shows the device Vincent's painting, which it misinterprets as a parrot and polar bear, unable to clearly make out what it is. Annoyed, the Doctor tosses the painting aside; he grumbles that Vincent will have to try painting something better.

It's dawn by the time the Doctor exits the TARDIS. Strapping the device to himself, he does not notice the creature reflected by the device. Having got a clear image of the creature, the device beeps, giving the Doctor the information about it; he mistakenly believes that it needed some time to get it right. Reading the information, the Doctor feels sorry for the "poor, brutal thing," wishing to see it again soon. Upon seeing the beast's reflection, he calmly says "but not that soon", before running off to escape it. To obstruct the creature's path, the Doctor drops debris behind him to slow the creature as he hides behind a corner. Using the mirror on the device, the Doctor finds that it has left in a different direction. He turns around, only to be scared by Amy; he demands to know why she left Vincent unguarded. Amy explains that though she loves his artwork, she finds it hard to like Vincent's snoring.

Back at the studio, the Doctor wakes Vincent, who steps into the courtyard to see Amy surrounded by sunflowers; she tells Vincent it's her way of thanking him for saving her yesterday. Amy suggests he paint them, but Vincent explains they are not his favourite; Amy is confused by this, as Vincent will paint a picture of them. Vincent explains he finds them complex, half-living and half-dying, but it would be a challenge, to which the Doctor responds that he believes that he'll rise to the occasion.

Giving Vincent a print-out of the creature, the Doctor explains that it's called a Krafayis. They travel through space in packs, a brutal race of scavengers. This one has apparently been abandoned. It will kill without mercy until it is killed — unlikely, given its invisibility. Nonetheless, he assures Vincent they can stop the killings if he will paint the church. Vincent agrees and the Doctor informs him that, afterwards, he and Amy will leave. Once Vincent has departed, the Doctor expresses concern at putting him in such a dangerous situation; if he is killed, half of the paintings on display in the Musée d'Orsay will vanish.

After a while, the Doctor and Amy have gotten tired of waiting for Vincent getting ready. Wondering what is keeping him, the Doctor finds him lying in bed, sobbing. He is devastated the Doctor and Amy are prepared to leave him, like everyone else. The Doctor tries to console and encourage Vincent, whose mood becomes more violent. He orders the Doctor to leave; shocked, he complies. Outside Vicent's room, the Doctor runs into Amy, who wonders what they're doing. The Doctor explains that they're leaving; Vincent has a fragile psyche and will kill himself in just a few short months; trying to force Vincent might accelerate his suicide and cause the disappearance of his final works. They will have to try finding the Krafayis without Vincent's help, hoping it will still arrive at the church without the presence of the painter. However, right before they can leave, Vincent arrives, calmed and ready.

On the way to the church, Amy tries to talk to Vincent about his depression. Vincent explains that his moods sometimes bother him for months at a time, but they got lucky today; he adds if she can "soldier on," then he can too. This confuses her, which prompts Vincent to reveal he can hear her sadness and believes that she has recently lost someone. He also points out she is crying, which she hadn't realised. The Doctor listens in, surprised. They stop in the road as a funeral procession, for the girl who was killed the previous night, passes; everyone glares at Vincent. Amy questions the Doctor, wondering what his plan is this time. However, the Doctor tells her he's got something like a plan, "only more greatness"; he's armed with overconfidence, a sonic screwdriver and the device in his briefcase.

At the church, Vincent begins to paint. The Doctor spends the time talking to Vincent about his past meetings with Michelangelo, who took the job of painting the Sistine Chapel despite being afraid of heights, and Pablo Picasso, who he tried getting to paint normal faces. As it becomes night, the Doctor becomes frustrated as the Krafayis is not punctual, confessing to Amy that something doesn't feel right. Just then, Vincent sees the beast in the window. The Doctor goes inside, ordering his companions not to follow. Vincent questions Amy as to if she will follow the Doctor; she responds, "of course," prompting Vincent to tell her he loves her. Inside, the Doctor "fights" the creature, but when his device is destroyed, he prepares to retreat. Outside, Amy and Vincent hear the chaos. Amy runs inside, calling for the Doctor.

The Doctor attempts to exit the church but bumps into Amy. Despite being annoyed that she disobeyed him again, he forces her to hide in the confessional with him. They whisper to each other as the Krafayis attacks them. The Doctor remarks the Krafayis has incredible hearing. As it tears the confessionals apart, Vincent appears, brandishing a chair to distract the beast, allowing the Doctor and Amy to escape. The Doctor tries stunning the beast with the sonic screwdriver, but since he can't see it, he can't tell if he has the right setting; Vincent says the attempt to stun the beast pleased it instead. As a result, the Doctor gives up on the idea and they take refuge in another chamber, with Vincent blocking the door with his chair. Thinking quickly about why the Krafayis was left behind, the Doctor accidentally refers to Vincent as Rory while rambling; Amy is confused by this, but the Doctor quickly covers up his mistake. Vincent tells them to wait there as he has an idea, promptly leaving out another exit.

In Vincent's absence, the Doctor attempts to reason with the creature (thanks to the TARDIS translation circuit), telling it he too is alone; he offers to help the creature. The Krafayis stops its attempts to break down the door and everything goes silent, and, for a moment, the Doctor thinks he managed to it to listen to reason. However, this notion is dispelled immediately when the chamber windows blow out. The Doctor and Amy take over behind a tomb as they hear the beast enter the room.

Vincent returns with his easel, holding it like a weapon. He says the creature is making its way around the edges of the room. Amy's comment of "I can't see a thing" helps the Doctor put all the pieces together and he calls himself an idiot for not noticing this sooner. Slapping himself, the Doctor explains why the Krafayis is feeling its way around the room, how it has such perfect hearing, why it hasn't simply killed them and why it was left behind by its pack; it is blind. Vincent points out that the perfect hearing "would explain why it has now turned around and is now running right at us!"

As it attacks, Vincent stabs the Krafayis with the legs of the easel. It collapses, badly wounded and dying. It begins crying as it is afraid, and the Doctor consoles it as it dies. Vincent mourns that he didn't mean to kill it, only wound it, and that he understands its lonely existence. The Krafayis was lashing out in fear, just like the people who hate Vincent for being a madman.

Amy, Vincent, and the Doctor lie in the grass outside the church; Vincent says they are lucky to still be alive to see the wonders of the world. Vincent encourages them to see the world as he does, saying the blackness of the sky is actually multiple shades of blue. Smiling, the Doctor admits that he has seen many amazing things in his life, but nothing quite as wonderful as what Vincent sees. Vincent tells his friends he will miss them when they're gone.

The next morning, Vincent attempts to give his self-portrait as a parting gift, but the Doctor, knowing what it will be worth one day, refuses it. The painter takes this in stride; he's used to having his works of art refused. Vincent admits that, despite his experiences over the last couple of days, he won't do well on his own. As the Doctor and Amy depart, he gets an idea, asking Amy if she has the same one; she doesn't as she's thinking about grabbing breakfast at the café. The Doctor calls to Vincent, who looks out his window, half-dressed, and tells him to tidy up as there is something he wants to show him.

They take him to the TARDIS, which is now covered in circus posters; the Doctor slices through them with the TARDIS key and opens the doors of his time machine. The Doctor reminds Vincent about how they talked about the wonders of the universe before showing him inside. Seeing the inside, Vincent examines the outside and returns to the Doctor and Amy. He enters, amused, asking how he's "crazy" while they've managed to remain sane. The Doctor explains some of the buttons on the console, secretly steering the TARDIS. Vincent is amazed by all the Doctor has told him and asks that they come back to the café and explain more about the wonders of the universe. However, the Doctor tells him that there is something they wish to show him first.

Stepping outside, they reveal to Vincent that they're now at the Musée d'Orsay in 2010; the time vortex energy has also reduced the posters covering the TARDIS to cinders. The Doctor and Amy lead Vincent into the museum, leaving his hat back in the TARDIS to avoid arousing suspicion of his identity. Led through the building, Vincent looks in awe at the exhibits, then is even more surprised when he is led into the section dedicated completely to his paintings. While Vincent stares at people enjoying his work, the Doctor finds Dr Black again, and asks if he can summarise where Vincent stands in history. Dr Black is taken aback, as it's a "big question".

Vincent is close enough to hear his response, and hears Dr Black praises van Gogh for turning his pain into incredible beauty, calling him not only the world's greatest artist but also one of the greatest men of all time. Vincent is reduced to tears by these words and the Doctor starts to apologise, thinking this was too much for him. However, Vincent explains he's crying out of joy; now he knows that people will love his paintings. He hugs Dr Black and thanks him for his kind words before leaving with his friends. Dr Black is confused and suspects the truth before thinking better of it.

Vincent is returned to 1890, where he comments on what has happened and thanks the Doctor for truly helping him where other doctors have not; the Doctor is equally joyous, bidding his new friend farewell. Vincent then tells Amy that should she grow bored of the Doctor, she should return and they will have a big family. Amy tells Vincent that she's "not the marrying type"; the Doctor is subtly distressed to hear this. Leaving for home, Vincent hears the TARDIS leave and turns back to see it gone. He then leaves, happy, and sure he will use his experience to change himself into a new man.

The Doctor and Amy return to the Musée d'Orsay. Amy is certain their time with Vincent changed him. Having seen people's lives turn out better from meeting them, Amy believes that they have prevented Vincent from committing suicide, and that he would have spent a longer life painting. Ecstatic at the prospect of seeing new paintings, Amy happily skips back into the exhibit. However, to her shock, there are no new works. To her furthering sadness, she overhears Dr Black still announce to tourists that van Gogh still went through with committing suicide at the age of thirty-seven.

Amy is heartbroken that they didn't make a difference in Vincent's life at all, but the Doctor rejects this. He says that good things can't remove the pain of bad things, but bad things can't spoil the good things either, and they certainly added a large amount of good to Vincent's life. The Doctor shows Amy that the face of the Krafayis is no longer visible in the window of the church. Another change becomes evident as they prepare to leave. Amy sees Van Gogh's painting of sunflowers, now dedicated to her. Amy jokes that if she had a child with Vincent, they would have had really red hair. The Doctor jokes back, saying it would be the "Ultimate Ginger". Amy cries as they both laugh.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Uncredited cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

General production staff

Script department

Camera and lighting department

Art department

Costume department

Make-up and prosthetics

Movement

Casting

General post-production staff

Special and visual effects

Sound



Not every person who worked on this adventure was credited. The absence of a credit for a position doesn't necessarily mean the job wasn't required. The information above is based solely on observations of the actual end credits of the episodes as broadcast, and does not relay information from IMDB or other sources.
          

This was the first episode of the BBC Wales series to have two credited script editors. Oddly, Emma Freud was credited at the end of the roll, suggesting she was considered more "senior" than Brian Minchin.  As on The Vampires of Venice, Patrick Schweitzer was double-credited as both producer and line producer.


Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

The TARDIS[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The paper placed on the exterior of the TARDIS is incinerated once it is brought into the time vortex.
  • The Retro-version of the TARDIS console has a friction contrafibulator, two switches with a red and yellow head that the Doctor notes are "Ketchup" and "Mustard", and near these two switches is a Type V 310-A AC/DC receiver constructed by Magpie Electricals.

People from the real world[[edit] | [edit source]]

Story notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Richard Curtis' preferred title for the adventure was Eyes That See the Darkness. It drew upon the description of van Gogh as having “eyes that know the darkness in my soul” in Don McLean's 1971 song Vincent, which was itself inspired by Starry Night. Steven Moffat, however, preferred a less abstruse title.
  • Unlike most stories in this series, this story focuses much more on characters than plot, and has hints and references to van Gogh's struggle with bipolar disorder and suicide, something the series has not explored deeply before. A message and phone number for the "BBC Action Line" was broadcast following the "Next Time" trailer for those wanting more information on "issues raised in this program".
  • Pictures of the First and Second Doctors are printed on the TARDIS's typewriter.
  • The accordion player in the café is clearly playing a rendition of "I Am The Doctor" from the series 5 soundtrack.
  • This is the second story in the series to lack any cracks, silence, or other foreshadowing of the series finale, the first being Amy's Choice. However, it does tie in to Rory's death and establishes that, on some level, Amy is aware he has died.
  • Bill Nighy agreed to take the part on condition that he was not credited, no publicity photos were taken of him, and he did not have to give any interviews.
  • The song used for the scenes of Van Gogh in the museum is "Chances" by Athlete. This was Matt Smith's idea, as he was a fan of the band.
  • This is the first episode since 1963 to end on a cut to black.
  • Van Gogh works referenced in the episode include: Church at Auvers (1890), Bedroom in Arles (1887), The Café Terrace (1888), Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers (1888), Portrait of Dr. Gachet (1890), The Starry Night (1889), Wheatfield with Crows (1890), Vincent's Chair with His Pipe (1888), Self-Portrait with Straw Hat (1887), and Almond Blossoms (1890).
  • During the Doctor Who: Lockdown! tweetalong of this episode in 2020, Matt Smith opined that "Doctor Black" may in fact be an alias of a future incarnation of the Doctor checking back on his younger self and helping him along, quite like the Curator. This would retrospectively make Vincent and the Doctor a backdoor multi-Doctor story, although such an identity is not known to have been anybody's intent in the filming, and has yet to be confirmed by any sources deemed valid on this Wiki.[2]
  • The self-portrait of Vincent is not an exact replica; it is altered slightly to resemble Tony Curran. This painting would later show up as an image in an historical archive in Smile.
  • Richard Curtis had been fascinated by the life of Vincent Van Gough. Though it was a subject he knew "quite a lot" about, he still read a 200-page biography of Van Gogh, which was more research than he normally would have done if working on other projects; he took Van Gogh very seriously. As such, he wanted to be "truthful rather than cruel" and refused to write any jokes about Van Gogh's ears after he famously cut one of them off.
  • Bill Nighy filmed his key cameo in a day.
  • The scene with the Doctor, Amy and Vincent lying in a field was inspired by the painting Starry Night.
  • Steven Moffat named this as his favourite Eleventh Doctor episode.
  • To write the script, Richard Curtis and his wife Emma Freud, who routinely worked as his script editor, took their four children to Italy for a month. After a week in which little headway was made, the family had the idea to arrange a spare room in their rented former schoolhouse in the manner of van Gogh's 1888 painting Bedroom in Arles. Curtis then enjoyed quick progress, bolstered by nightly viewings of past Doctor Who episodes. Input came from his children, with daughter Scarlett suggesting that it could be The Church at Auvers in which the Krafayis appeared. The family had seen the original masterpiece in the collection of the Musée d'Orsay.
  • Due to time constraints, several scenes were cut. These included several scenes involving Madame Vernet - the mother of the slain Giselle - as well as the revelation that the Doctor knows of the Krafayis from a book of scary stories he read as a child on Gallifrey. The latter plot strand would have caused the Doctor to be jittery throughout his time in Auvers, and would also have presaged the climactic revelation about the Krafayis' handicap, since the book was titled Blind Fury.
  • When writing the script, Richard Curtis put up prints of Van Gogh paintings around the house as well as a board with index cards outlining the plot.
  • Richard Curtis asked Steven Moffat to criticise "anything and everything" and later said he was very honest. Moffat told Curtis that it needed to "start quicker" and that the meeting with the Doctor and Vincent was "dull" and needed to be something "cute" like Curtis had done in his films. He also noted that the Doctor did not talk as much as Curtis had written and recommended Curtis watch some episodes to see he was "rather efficient in the way that he talked". Curtis enjoyed the experience, commenting that it was "fun" to work within boundaries rather than doing it all himself. After seeing a read-through performed by Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, Curtis made more changes. He commented that it was easy to write for them as they were "so delightful and modern and relaxed".
  • The producers have stated that they cast someone as high profile as Bill Nighy for such a small part was because they needed the audience to listen to what the character said (which in this case were important biographical information about Vincent Van Gogh).
  • Bill Nighy and Tony Curran have both appeared in the Underworld series, playing elder vampires Vincent and Marcus.
  • It was Steven Moffat's idea that the Krafayis be invisible.
  • When the Doctor and Amy say goodbye to Vincent and he stands in the field, the wide shot of him as the TARDIS fades has two branches cut through the middle of the frame which somewhat resemble half of the crack from Amy's bedroom.
  • The original script was a pure character piece where the Doctor and Amy visit Van Gogh and spend an uneventful few days with him. The execs insisted they needed to fight a monster.
  • Richard Curtis wanted to write for the show because he thought it would be "something my kids would like."
  • In 2020, Karen Gillan later revealed on Twitter that her father got her a Van Gough Sunflowers painting for her birthday.
  • Matt Smith named this as one of his favourite episodes because it was shot in Croatia.
  • Steven Moffat met Richard Curtis at Red Nose Day 1999, where Moffat contributed The Curse of Fatal Death.
  • Steven Moffat knew that Richard Curtis wasn't a fan of the series and the writer pondered his offer to contribute a script for some time. However, he happened to live next door to David Morrissey, who was co-starring in The Next Doctor. Their families watched the broadcast together, after which Curtis' children demanded that he accept Moffat's invitation.
  • Richard Curtis had enjoyed the show's historical episodes and felt comfortable writing one. He had the idea of a story centred on van Gogh for "a long while" and was particularly interested in the fact van Gogh never knew he would be famous, as well as his inspirational story. Steven Moffat was initially cool to this approach, which he worried would be inappropriate for the programme's audience, but he was eventually persuaded by Curtis' ideas for the script. Nonetheless, it was agreed that the story would avoid focusing on the more sordid aspects of van Gogh's life, such as the amputation of a portion of his left ear.
  • Richard Curtis chose to fictionalise some aspects of van Gogh's history; for example, he set his script at the Yellow House which van Gogh had rented in Arles from 1888 to 1889, but he reimagined the associated events as taking place in June 1890, when van Gogh was actually living in Auvers-sur-Oise.
  • Krafayis was originally spelled Crafayis.
  • For much of the story's development, there were in fact two Krafayis, with the second committing suicide after van Gogh inadvertently killed its mate, rather than face the agony of loneliness.
  • This episode formed Block Five of season five, along with The Vampires of Venice.
  • Although principal photography was scheduled to take place in November and December 2009, Jonny Campbell made the unusual decision to film material for one scene months earlier. This was the shot of the wheat field used at the beginning of the episode, which would have been out of season in late autumn.
  • A six-foot turntable was used for the sequence where van Gogh realised the enormous impact which his artwork had had upon the world.
  • Bill Nighy collaborated with Richard Curtis on the films Love Actually, The Boat That Rocked and About Time.
  • The first day of filming in Trogir was hit by rain, so the cast and crew travelled ten kilometres west, to the village of Vrsine, where, Jonny Campbell taped the scene of the Doctor, Amy and Vincent lying in a field.
  • Though it was a subject he knew "quite a lot" about, Richard Curtis still read a 200-page biography of van Gogh, which was more research than he normally would have done if working on other projects; he took van Gogh very seriously. As such, he wanted to be "truthful rather than cruel" and refused to write any jokes about van Gogh's ears after he famously cut one of them off. However, he did incorporate other humour as he naturally wanted to "try to make things funny".
  • Richard Curtis stated that casting an actor to play van Gogh was done carefully, as he wanted him to feel to the audience as van Gogh, not "like a bloke they've seen acting lots of other parts, in an orange wig".
  • Richard Curtis called Tony Curran a "wonderful actor" who "really could not look more like" van Gogh.
  • Tony Curran, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan got to know each other very well, which Gillan hoped would be evident in their chemistry in the episode.
  • The cafe was modelled after the painting Café Terrace at Night. This proved challenging for the art department, which looked extensively for a suitable building in Croatia to use. Once the artists found the one they wanted, they had to redesign it to look like the painting; this involved putting an awning up, changing the windows, and adding a platform with tables and chairs.
  • Richard Curtis stated that the climactic scene in the art gallery has transcended the episode.
  • It was Matt Smith who suggested "Chances" by Athlete be used in the ending, as he was a big fan of the band.
  • During his commentary for the 2020 Doctor Who Lockdown watchalong of the episode, Richard Curtis said that the episode was inspired by and a tribute to a family member who had struggled with depression.
  • Bill Nighy had previously been rumoured as a candidate for the Ninth or Tenth Doctors. He joked that he lost the latter because David Tennant was better looking.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Overnight viewing figures were 5.0 million.
  • Official viewing figures were 6.29 million viewers.
  • Final UK ratings were 6.76 million viewers.[3]

Myths[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

Filming locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • National Museum of Wales [4]
  • Trogir, Croatia [5]
  • Roald Dahl Plass [6], which is supposed to double for the Musée d'Orsay in Paris

Production errors[[edit] | [edit source]]

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.
  • When running through the streets with his mirror, the Doctor screams, "Ahh", but his mouth is not synced with his screaming.
  • For most of the episode, Amy is wearing tights. During the church scene, when van Gogh starts painting the church, they're gone. Later on, when the group are hiding from the monster, she's wearing them again.
  • When in the chapel looking for the monster, the Doctor switches the mirror from his left to right side while holding his sonic screwdriver. For each change, the camera angle also changes, and the sonic screwdriver changes from being in closed mode and extended mode.
  • At the beginning, when looking at the painting of the church, the Doctor scratches his head. When the camera is behind the Doctor, he uses his right hand but when the camera cuts to in front of him, he is using his left hand.
  • When the Krafayis first appears in the visual recognition system, it is directly behind the Doctor, who is next to the TARDIS. When the Doctor runs away, it is heard chasing him. The Doctor hides behind a wall and using the mirror sees the creature, but it is still beside the TARDIS.
  • When in the chapel running away from the Krafayis, the Doctor is attacked by the monster, knocking him off his feet and into a nearby wall. For one shot, the wire that lifts Matt Smith off his feet and into the wall can be seen clearly.
  • When visiting the museum for the final time, the Krafayis is still slightly visible in the painting.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

Home video releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

Series 5 Volume 4 DVD Cover

DVD & Blu-ray releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Series 5, Volume Four was released on DVD and Blu-Ray in region 2/B on 6 September 2010 and region 4/B on 7 October 2010. The volume features Vincent and the Doctor, The Lodger, The Pandorica Opens and The Big Bang, and the featurette The Monster Diaries.
  • The episode was later released in the Complete Fifth Series boxset on both DVD and Blu-ray, in region 1/A on 9 November 2010, in region 2/B on 8 November 2010 and in region 4/B on 2 December 2010.
  • A DVD-only release of Series 5, Part Two, containing the latter seven episodes of the series, was released in region 1 on 26 July 2016.

Digital releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • In the United Kingdom, this story is available on BBC iPlayer.

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ The Fourth Dimension: Vincent and the Doctor. BBC One - Doctor Who. Retrieved on 18 October 2012.
  2. ↑ Smith, M. (30 March 2020). #TheUltimateGinger. Twitter. Retrieved on 24 November 2020.
  3. ↑ Doctor Who Ratings - UK final
  4. ↑ http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/nmw#091127
  5. ↑ http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/trogir
  6. ↑ http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/roalddahlplass#100106
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