The Crack in Time and Space
I still very much like this new season of Doctor Who and the New Doctor, but one problem has been staring at me the whole time – how they treat the season arc this season! In the past seasons under Russell Davis, the arc are very subtle hints and words that none of the characters really notice until almost the last episodes, like Bad Wolf in season 1, Saxon in season 3, or missing planets in season 4. This season, however, the crack in time and space is front and center, and not only that, the Doctor and Amy all noticed it and know what it does, especially after the Weeping Angels episodes, and yet they are still going on business as usual, just traveling!! You would think the Doctor would go everywhere to try to get to the bottom of it right? But no, they are just continue traveling, and here and there they would notice oh there’s the crack again! and that’s when they would deal with it, and yet the next episode they will seemingly forgot the threat the crack pose to everyone, until they find another crack!
That being said, this past episode on Vincent Van Gogh is probably the best in the season. (The crack wasn’t in the episode probably contributed too!) Each season the Doctor has at least one episode to interact with an historical figure, it’s usually very entertaining and good, probably due to the strength BBC has with period piece. This time though, it’s so good it brings me to tears in the end. First of all the writer of the episode is Richard Curtis, you heard it right, the writer behind most of your favorite British romantic comedies – Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, and Love Actually! And to bring in such an experienced writer you can really see the difference in the quality of the script! The subject matter also have additional emotional resonance because Vincent Van Gogh is such a tragic figure and yet his painting brings out the best of humanity. Depression is something that every one can connect with. Here is the greatest painter of all time that when he was alive he never find out people love and celebrate his paintings. In a sci-fi setting of Doctor Who, we got to witness the what-if – what if Van Gogh can witness his popularity nowadays, what is his reaction! and that scene was so powerful! The use of Athlete’s song Chances is particularly moving as well. Last but not least I have to praise the casting decision of Tony Curran as Vincent Van Gogh. Their resemblance is uncanny! Put some 19 century clothes on and he is Vincent Van Gogh!!
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