Just about Special Forces Vips

Oh yes, I have been looking forward to it all week: episode 2 of Special Forces VIPS. Not that I missed those staff members that much, really. I still spontaneously go into the prone position just thinking about Erik, but I can't do without that man on my screen either. I don't know what it is, a kind of Stockholm syndrome I think. Anyway, we left off with those poor fighters who after a day of about 46 hours finally got to go to bed (if you can call a plank 40 centimeters wide a bed), only to be brutally pulled from their sleep after half an hour. The. Hell. Let's quickly see how those tough guys of this season are doing. In the meantime, I'm going to check if viewers can indicate somewhere that they give up.

1. Okay, so the participants are violently (I absolutely consider loud noise and bright light as violence) lifted from their plank to then have to lie back down within two minutes. Well, good, I would have passed that second part of the task with flying colors.

2. After a little half hour of sleep (read: staring at the ceiling in pure panic), they are pulled from their stretcher again to this time have to be ready within the time limit. Staff member Bas rewards the candidates with a cold: ‘Okay’. Hey, what's wrong with a compliment, Bas? A pat on the head? A gold star? Something?!

3. Ah sorry, I was too quick. They are rewarded with a lesson on hypothermia where Raffaëlla (again) gets a bucket of ice-cold water poured over her and the rest has to make sure she doesn't go into shock. Someone has to ask: is it time to implement the anti-bullying policy?

4. Koen proves once again that he and I are one: ‘I could cry. I really didn't expect this to be so intense.’ *me every morning after snoozing five times.

5. Haha, that poor Anouk is so me during a gym class where the teacher thought it would be a fun idea to let us play a self-invented basketball game, preferably with influences from handball, dodgeball, and checkers: ‘I don't quite understand what's happening.’.

6. Sorry, but who comes up with the idea to hide a lunch (that everyone is currently craving) on a platform above ice-cold water while the only way to get there is a slippery rope? Some sort of rooftop bar for masochists, this.

7. The way I would then burst into hysterical tears upon hearing the words: ‘The task doesn't end here.’ No, of course not. You would do something fun.

8. I really need staff members Erik and Bas to carry out the basic tasks in my life. A firm: ‘Turn that body into productive action’ does get me scrubbing, I think.

9. Erik's: ‘Just have a great time’ comes a bit late. Can everyone who is currently having a great time raise their broken and ice-cold hands? No? I thought so.

10. What time would it be now in Special Forces land? I thought this was a nice task to end the day with. But no, of course, there has to be some boxing at a kilometer high. Silly me.

11. Oh, I really think I'm Erik's nightmare. I would undoubtedly already fall at that little ladder, let alone reach the top of that ladder.

12. I have to admit: I underestimated Koen so much. How cool he is, while still bringing so much humor and radiating all the class in the world. Hats off.

13. Laughing out loud at the instruction from staff member Bas: ‘Hats off!’ Haha, there's something very funny about such an angry, bearded man talking in diminutives.

14. By the way, Liza has really stolen my heart, what a cool girl she is. Just like Anouk. Hats off ladies. Or was it a hat, Bas?

15. I'm so into this program that I could cry along with that poor Fabrizio. You also see for the first time that the staff members can be kind and understanding. Still nice for my peace of mind, saves a few nightmares.

That understanding attitude seems to be short-lived in the preview for next week where statements like ‘let's get those arms burning, I really don't care’ come flying at you again. Okay then. You can say a lot about our Erik, but at least he's clear. I'm going to recover from this intense ride, but I'm already looking forward to next week. Until then!