Vincent and The Doctor

Amy, make Mr. Van Gogh comfortable, don't let any invisible monsters through the door. - The Doctor

Firstly, I'm more of a Dali man, but then I'm a nutcase so it fits. Unfortunately, and what this episode recreates very delicately is the fact of depression being intermangled with insanity in the 19th century. The mind of Van Gogh is gently portrayed, his breakdown following The Doctor's unwitting tactlessness is beautifully brought to colour by Tony Curran, and his equally emotional breakdown at the end of the episode nicely pitches the image we now hold of Van Gogh as a passionate man.

"Okay, I was joking. Why aren't you?"

The purpose behind The Doctor's diversion to art galleries and gardens comes at the expense of his guilt over losing Rory, and indeed having to live with the consequences of Amy not even remembering him. Indeed it's very subtly and inconsequentially added during the confrontation with the Krafayis, accidentally mentioning Rory, to Amy's lack of recognition.

"He'll probably be in the local café. Sort of orangey light, chairs and tables outside"

This episode is a beautiful dedication to Van Gogh's artwork much as past historicals have been resourceful dedications to books and plays. These lovely brush-strokes include the rich recreation of The Café Terrace on the Place Du Forum, Arles, at Night, Vincent's bedroom redecorated from The Bedroom in Arles and Amy's hint at Vincent painting the sunflowers she's brought to his courtyard as a reference to his famous Vase with Twelve Sunflowers . That said, I thought the irises on his outside table were a nice touch.

The blacks are in fact deep blue

One thing that struck me with this episode was the beautiful music that accompanied it. Mr. Gold you have excelled yourself. The soundtrack adds to the serenity and solemness of the episode, such as the wonders of the world being shown to Amy and The Doctor, the same track is used again to display the tragic realisation to Amy she had failed to avert Vincent's suicide.