Van der Valk (TV Series) Thicker Than Water (1972) User Reviews

Thicker Than Water

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 9 May 2019]

Another episode of Van der Valk looking at the sleazy side of Amsterdam.

When a dead body turns up from the canal. Kroon and Van der Valk notice that the man is well groomed and well dressed. They conclude he must had been gay and take bets as to which nationality he is.

It turns out that the man was a member of the English upper class and his mother is politician is due in Holland to take part in some diplomatic talks. However when she sees the dead body she refuses to identify him as her son, even when Van der Valk gets further proof of his identity.

Van der Valk and Kroon make a tour of the city's clubs and bars in the red light district as the theme plays on. It seems the deceased was known to the transvestite community.

Van der Valk finds that the deceased's aunt might know more about this matter. A rather seamy episode about a family with many dark secrets.

The murder of an Englishman?

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 29 May 2023]

The body of a handsome, smartly dressed young man is found in The Canal, Van Der Valk concludes that he's a young, gay Englishman, specifically the son of a British Member of Parliament.

Another very enjoyable episode, a strong mystery from the first series. It feels like the first time the show really did explore Amsterdam's famous sex scene.

I wondered how long it would be before there was an episode about a body showing up in a Canal, and it's a rather good one.

I liked some sides to Van Der Valk's character, the story of his having to investigate Detective Cruyff was interesting, showing him as trusting, and quite reasonable, his general attitudes were of course indicative of the time, but he's a little more open minded. I enjoyed seeing Van Der Valk exploring the red light District.

Barry Foster delivers a commanding performances, perhaps his best so far.

How different were the drag queens of the 70's to today's! Wowsers.

Very enjoyable. 8/10.