Van Der Valk returns to our screens for the fourth series of the rebooted show that originally ran from 1972 to 1992. With each series of the reboot telling its story across three two-hour episodes, all carrying ‘In Amsterdam’ in the title.
The Series four’s opener, Safe in Amsterdam, refers to the two safe houses where key witnesses are being protected before they give evidence against Dutch crime matriarch Bibi Franken (a quietly threatening performance from Anastasia Hille). When one of them, Gregor Albers, is killed at his safe house, Van Der Valk and his sidekick Lucienne set about uncovering the murderer and the motive, while trying to protect the other witness, Daan Franken, who has agreed to testify against his mother. Their investigation uncovers a potential link to the accidental death of Sophie, who worked in bars run by Bibi’s other son, Xavi Franken. Can the detectives solve the puzzle of who’s behind the murders?
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The series works because of the core team of Dutch detectives: Commissaris Piet Van Der Valk, a brooding, cynical performance from the wonderful Marc Warren; his reliable sidekick, Inspector Lucienne Hassell (Maimie McCoy); and the sharp pathologist Hendrik Davie (Darrell D’Silva). As with so many TV crime dramas, it’s these recurring characters and their methods that keep us coming back. Here there’s an added edge in Van Der Valk’s personal life aboard his canal boat, with his current girlfriend Lena (Loes Haverkort) and his past lover and fellow detective, Kalie (Kim Riedle), who keeps mysteriously reappearing in ways that cast suspicion on her own motives. Warren retains a deep frown throughout, trusts no one except the dog at the police station, and ploughs through the evidence with a steely determination to do what’s right.
Originally presented as two 45-minute episodes, it now carries too many advert breaks to fill the two-hour slot, with some unsatisfactory cuts made to accommodate them, and fans of the original series will miss the original theme tune. However, the Amsterdam setting still adds atmosphere and interest, and Warren gives a thoroughly watchable performance, making for entertaining Sunday night TV. The first three series are available on ITVX, with series four’s episode 2, Hope in Amsterdam, and episode 3, Secrets in Amsterdam, due to air on 9th and 16th August.
We hope it won’t be another three-year wait for series five.
