In the episode, the Doctor and his companion, Amy Pond, take Vincent into the future to show him how important he was, is, and will be. They allow Vincent to hear a museum curator speak eloquently about Van Gogh being the greatest painter that ever lived. Upon hearing this, Vincent is humbled beyond joy and weeps looking at his works loving displayed in a gallery with dozens of people staring at his works in awe. Sadly, Vincent still ends his life and his life/timeline remain intact.
I can honestly say I've rarely been so moved. As my friends can attest, I'm a huge fan of sci-fi and fantasy and I'm very choosy about what I like to watch and read.
Doctor Who found me in the mid-1980s. I was watching TV in my parent's bedroom on a Saturday evening and the PBS station started playing this odd and charming show. I was immediately hooked. I ate it up like a starving dog. That was over 25 years ago and my love for the Doctor has never ceased. This latest season and 11th incarnation of the Doctor is my favorite. Hands down.
And then there's Vincent. I love this painter. He was a tortured soul who worked furiously to exhaustion. He wrote over 800 letters in his lifetime and his paintings and drawings number in the thousands. Thousands. How many of us can say we've ever done anything creative thousands of times.
I stand in awe of the man and his life, death, and art move my soul to joy and tears. He left this world too soon but he left it more beautiful. I stand in awe.
