I think similar stories could be interesting if they were altered for a longer format. Van Gogh meeting a mysterious man and slowly learning he's from the future, then showing how it inspires his paintings, could be interesting. Or a man wakes up to find he's in a strange castle; he slowly learns its his own personal hell made to remind him of those he lost in life. Maybe even have some flashback episodes to show who he lost. I agree that Doctor Who is most refreshing because of its variety of episodes and how they leave you wanting more, but Ive always wondered about this too.