Viewers of ITV's crime drama Van der Valk have taken to social media to express their disappointment with the latest episode, calling it 'laughable' and 'pathetic'. The Amsterdam-set series, starring Marc Warren as the detective, returned for a fourth season after a three-year hiatus.
While many fans said it was 'a joy' to have the show back, criticism focused on the episode's climax. In the installment, an environmental campaigner is murdered before a global conference, and a suspect caught on CCTV is revealed to be famous singer Cobie Stegenga (Lateesha Verwey), presumed dead and living under the radar for two years under the control of villain Anki Bergen (Raquel Cassidy).
Final scene criticized
The final moments saw a chase and showdown where Van der Valk and Inspector Lucienne Hassell (Maimie McCoy) apprehend Anki. However, viewers pointed out several plot holes. One posted on X: "Getting increasingly daft. Jeep can’t catch a Volvo estate over rough ground. They then shoot out its tyre with a pistol from distance — despite a hostage being inside. Then VdV SHOOTS AN AXE out of a woman’s hand despite not hitting a BMW earlier in the episode."
Another said: "How could they possibly have made the last 15 minutes of #VanDerValk any more pathetic!??" Others commented: "Great episode but poor ending, laughable," and "This has degenerated into pretty laughable c*** now. Shame."
Mixed reactions
Some viewers were more critical of the overall series, with one saying: "I like Marc Warren usually but this series is awful." Another added: "A woman comes at you with an axe, you're a police officer you have a gun, you let them walk away with a person of interest. Do better."
However, not all feedback was negative. One viewer said: "Enjoying this latest series of Van der Valk. Especially as this episode they are showing more of the beautiful city of Amsterdam!" Another remarked: "I'm loving the new series of Van der Valk. Mind you... I'd watch Marc Warren in anything."
Van der Valk is available on ITVX.
