As all involved knew, Series 1 (made under COVID restrictions) was a miss. Van Der Valk barely spoke, and seemed to hate his whole team. Amsterdam looked like a place to avoid.
In contrast Series 2 had exceptionally cool, witty dialogue, and menace in spades. And with the extensive use of drones, vibrant Amsterdam was really on show. The shore of the huge inland IJmeer (slightly below sea level) was used well, and is not something that most visitors see. And Marc Warren became human (who knew?!).
Series 3 is shaping up even better (it is already all on the excellent PBS Passport). The first story of S3 was about freerunning (an actual sport) that caught us by surprise. It twisted and turned, and the credible outcome worked out fine.
Dutch systems are made to look good. Detection methods were improved in S2 and are impressive in the first episodes of S3.
S3 is especially boosted by some excellent casting. Marc Warren remains likeable, managerial, and often great fun. Now we also have the beautiful, enigmatic Django Chan-Reeves, and the supersmart Azan Ahmed; between them with their skills and their emerging backstories they could make a watchable spinoff show.
Only Maimie McCoy now is let down by the writing. She incessantly smirks, sneers at all suspects and witnesses (as if that is good method!), and gets things wrong too often. Plus she is given an unfunny habit of needling Piet. Chris Murray, do give her a makeover please?
Finally, in S3 E1 and E2, the nail-biting running sport was filmed spectacularly. And Rita Bernard-shaw (British) and Simone Giel (Dutch), as they needed to be, were compelling; nicely done.
By the way, contrary to some "It's all about me-me-me!" 1, 2, and 3 star reviews here, the Pro area of IMDB describes heavy Dutch involvement in producing this. It strengthens the industry and opens the way to selling purely Dutch-made shows.
In contrast Series 2 had exceptionally cool, witty dialogue, and menace in spades. And with the extensive use of drones, vibrant Amsterdam was really on show. The shore of the huge inland IJmeer (slightly below sea level) was used well, and is not something that most visitors see. And Marc Warren became human (who knew?!).
Series 3 is shaping up even better (it is already all on the excellent PBS Passport). The first story of S3 was about freerunning (an actual sport) that caught us by surprise. It twisted and turned, and the credible outcome worked out fine.
Dutch systems are made to look good. Detection methods were improved in S2 and are impressive in the first episodes of S3.
S3 is especially boosted by some excellent casting. Marc Warren remains likeable, managerial, and often great fun. Now we also have the beautiful, enigmatic Django Chan-Reeves, and the supersmart Azan Ahmed; between them with their skills and their emerging backstories they could make a watchable spinoff show.
Only Maimie McCoy now is let down by the writing. She incessantly smirks, sneers at all suspects and witnesses (as if that is good method!), and gets things wrong too often. Plus she is given an unfunny habit of needling Piet. Chris Murray, do give her a makeover please?
Finally, in S3 E1 and E2, the nail-biting running sport was filmed spectacularly. And Rita Bernard-shaw (British) and Simone Giel (Dutch), as they needed to be, were compelling; nicely done.
By the way, contrary to some "It's all about me-me-me!" 1, 2, and 3 star reviews here, the Pro area of IMDB describes heavy Dutch involvement in producing this. It strengthens the industry and opens the way to selling purely Dutch-made shows.
