WIDM aftertalk: the reunion we were all secretly waiting for
Episode 1
Normally, there is a big circle in my calendar somewhere at the beginning of January: the start of ‘Who is the Mole?’. But this anniversary year, November is also the month of months, and we, as Mole fans, get to go wild one more time. You don't have to tell me twice; so yes, I was ready again with my mole notebook at the ready. We had already seen an extra season with former candidates, but this time, former Moles are also participating. And believe me: with so much experience in lying and deceiving, the search this season is going to be even tougher. Bring. It. On.
From zero to chaos in five minutes
We entered this season with only one certainty: we are heading to Portugal. But with whom? A group full of familiar faces, which AVROTROS had fortunately already revealed. So while the candidates raced through the Portuguese streets, it became a game of ‘Who is it?’ for us. But we've figured it out, here comes the list: former candidates Richard Groenendijk, Imanuelle Grives, Loes Haverkort, Nathan Rutjes, and Sahil Amar Aïssa, along with former Moles Jurre Geluk, Merel Westrik, Dennis Weening, Kim Pieters, and Anne-Marie Jung get to hunt for the big saboteur one more time.
With so much experience, a long explanation is of course unnecessary, so we dive straight into the first assignment. The former candidates must collect suitcases with which they can unravel the location of the former Moles and earn money, provided the former cheaters don't blow up the money. And that turns out to be trickier than expected. Because no matter how experienced you are: within five minutes, it's back to the old-fashioned WIDM chaos. Especially thanks to Dennis, Jurre, and Merel, who suddenly seem to have forgotten the simplest details about their seasons, things aren't going well with that money. Only one suitcase is secured, and wouldn't you know it, that's the one the former candidates can't find. There was no time for that, right, Richard? Are we writing along? The first suspicious actions have been spotted: the game has officially begun.
As if the reunion wasn't complete yet
When AVROTROS said ‘a season full of familiar faces’, there was no lie in that. In addition to the well-known group of candidates, nine tickets to Porto were also booked for a club of former winners. Because if anyone can answer that one question correctly, it's them. While the candidates try to convince them that they are the Mole, the former winners must act as a sort of jury to pass their judgment. Do they already know who the saboteur is by asking smart questions and watching the Mole-lications? Then €2000,- will be deducted from the pot in the finale; if not, €1000,- will be added instead.
There was still something at stake: whoever is designated by the jury also receives an exemption; the same one that Sahil thought he didn't need in 2022 (and thus took it back on the plane to the Netherlands). After much deliberation, this green gold is passed on to Nathan. According to the winners' jury, he is the Mole this year. Could he have fallen so easily? We'll see.
And the Ron Boszhard award goes to…
It has now become a true WIDM concept: the Ron Boszhard award. One of the few prizes you really don't want to win. Whoever takes it home joins the list of first eliminations from ‘Who is the Mole?‘. And if you finally get to participate in the program of programs, that's the last place you want to end up. Yet, even in this anniversary season, there's no escaping it.
The tablets are ready again, and that's especially something for the former Moles to get used to; after all, they never really had to think seriously about the test questions. Maybe that's still the case for one of them, but for the rest, it certainly isn't. And that brings us immediately to the big question of the moment: is this season finally a former candidate the Mole, or does a former Mole get another chance to lie everything together?
You would think: we wish it for a candidate. But that would be too easy. In this game, everything can always go two ways — and that's exactly what makes it so treacherous. One person we definitely don't have to doubt about anymore is Imanuelle: she can pack her bags again. And while the group is still recovering from her departure, the game continues. Nathan apparently received an offer from Rik; but what is it? A true WIDM-cliffhanger.
Just a moment about that execution
Before we start analyzing every second of the episode again, I want to discuss one more thing with you. I can't be the only one who noticed this, right? The execution is, of course, made extra exciting by not immediately showing the red screen, but secretly you can often guess who is going to leave. In many seasons, it's always the fourth candidate who sees their screen, who has to leave the game; again this time with Imanuelle. Coincidence? Maybe. But it's certainly noticeable. Keep an eye on it next week. And if I ever discover what this means, you'll be the first to know.
