I am really looking forward to this episode, have been since I found out they were doing a Van Gogh episode.

I read in the latest DWM that this episode is actually quite emotional and has sad elements to Van Gogh's life and befriends Amy more than the doctor.

I'm wondering if this is going to be the 'father's day' of series five. That was sad

So if you know more, post! Roll on Saturday!

Bump

Surely you mean Pre rather than Post?

The verb, not the prefix!

It looks more "The Unicorn and the Wasp" given that Van Gogh's chair is used as a weapon, there are sunflowers everywhere in different states...spot the references as the episode goes on

Oh...and obviously, it'll be completely bonkers!

Really? In terms of tone, it looks miles away from the unicorn and the wasp.

I'm excited about this episode, the series arc really seems to be coming to a head - do we think it will be as though Rory had never existed, or will we be treated to references to his departure? is the crack going to be developed further?

Also: Bill Nighy!

My 6 year old has just studied Van Gogh so the dilemma is whether to let her watch it and get a DW version of his life! I am looking forward to it because I'm interested how they will depict his paintings in the story. Very interesting idea can't wait.

Of course TUATW did tackle some fairly mature issues in between the slap stick, but I agree it looks like a rather more somber episode in tone overall - from reading DWM it sounds like it will address the issues around Van Gogh mental health problems, which is hardly going to be a barrell of laughs.

I'd say it has more of a Tooth and Claw look than any other Nu Who episode tbh.

Anyway, my speculation is this:

In DWM the synopsis for the finale opens with:

"A Van Gogh painting is ferried across thousands of years, communicating a disturbing message to the Doctor"

which leads me to conclude this episode is at least partially tied up with the finale.

Oh No! I hope it's not one of these Da Vinci Code type references!

I'm wondering more if it's connected to the image The Doctor sees in the painting in this trailer....maybe he thinks he fixes something but doesn't due to whatever is happening with the crack, thus Van Gogh somehow sends said painting as a message.

I only hope it's more along the lines of City of Death.

Maybe the Tardis or something is hidden in one of his painting!

It probably will be...but without the fun aspect...and by that I mean because as it seems that message is a "disturbing message"...rather than a fun message saying its a fake...

Arghhhh stupid hidden posts!!!! I think is what the paintings will say!!!!

I'm really looking forward to this ep it looks fun- are they fighting some sort of werewolf thing? I saw a very dodgy doctor who type shaggy paw at some point in the next time

I'm glad it's around Van Gogh as well, should be interesting- I saw the exhibition at the RA this year which had all his long letters to his brother and others describing in painstaking detail how he wanted to produce each picture and what he wanted to convey, with sketches, displayed next to the finished work. I found it very sad.

Isn't a message in the finale sent from Van Gogh? That's what I read in DWM (i think).

see post #8

http://z.about.com/d/painting/1/0/X/...Castellano.jpg

10 quid that little blue thing will end up being the TARDIS.

I'd imagine that the events of the episode will turn out to be what sends Van Gogh round the twist and causes him to cut off his ear

There's been so much controversy over who really cut off his ear and why etc I think it would be really funny if they make out it was bitten off by a big beastie thing

According to his own correspondence, it was cut off by someone else during a brawl over the prostitute he was meant to have sent it to.

That would be Paul Gauguin, they house shared and have a similar style. They where great mates, but liked absynth a bit too much. They often fenced with each other (as you do)

It is more likely that the whole ear thing was an accident. As for VG taking it to a prostitute is not entirely clear, they both frequented those kind of houses it is thought more likely that VG visited the "lady" for some comfort *ahem*

And as for Gauguin, well lets just say by todays standards he was a little bit shocking.

Did Van Gogh die by the whole ear thing? I've never really understood it. I wondered if he bled to death or something. Very odd story but kinda would be educational if they covered it in the episode. Doubt it though lol

No, he was just famous for it because it was an unusual thing for someone to do.

Not that his death is any more pleasant though - he shot himself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Van_Gogh#Death

If so, someone on the DW team is very sad. Looking at Van Gogh's paintings and getting excited about a little blue shape that could be the Tardis. Oh you sad people!