WIDM aftertalk: this old acquaintance turns the game upside down

Old Mollen, old candidates, old winners, the queen of the ether discipline or laser game enemies; it seems like history is repeating itself non-stop this anniversary season. And get ready: the déjà vus are far from over. Episode 4 cheerfully continued the line; and for that, the candidates received help from a true WIDM legend. But did they really want to bring back this memory? They will definitely feel the consequences for a while...

The answer was so close

Somewhere in Lisbon a tram driver is wandering around with the answer to that one question. So if you happen to go that way soon: ask for David, because the candidates let him slip right through their fingers. Unbeknownst to them, they got swept up in a sightseeing ride; but of course, in a ‘Who is the Mole?’ style. Based on questions, they had to sit in the right order and hang out the window in time for a photo moment. All very nice, until the questions suddenly turned to test answers. Well, what do you do then? Be honest and open your mole book, or lead everyone completely astray? Sahil clearly chose option two: sowing confusion. But of course, we caught on to that immediately.

No matter how fun the ride was, it didn't really turn out to be profitable. All the scheming only yielded ‘just’ €750, while it could have been €2000. The biggest miss? No one thought to translate the Portuguese words at the photo spots and make a sentence out of it. If they had done that, David would have determined on the spot who would win this season. Sahil, Kim... you speak Spanish. Okay, okay, Portuguese is different, we know; but didn't you have a mini advantage? We'll remember that.

How much information do you want to give?

This task would have given me personally shaky knees, but from the couch, this was enjoyable. Because if this wasn't WIDM? Jurre, Kim, and Loes determining how much information their fellow candidates get with the craziest theories; and the rest bringing their inner Tom Cruise to the surface with a free fall. And all that for a joker, money, or mingeld.

Nathan proves once again that he is a man of his word. It’s getting harder to suspect him; although the hints and judgments from the former winners certainly don’t come out of nowhere. Merel, on the other hand, really wants to be in control; and she didn’t seem particularly sad about that mingeld. Maybe a bit too obvious, but we’ll write it down obediently.

And then Sahil. Such a big opportunity and then still mess it up... impressive.

For everyone who was afraid that there would be no joker to be found this season: there they finally were — well, almost. Jurre, Kim, and Loes were done with “playing for the group”; personal trump cards always weigh just a bit heavier. But yes, in WIDM, nothing ever goes exactly as you want. The jokers stay with Rik, along with that extra money, by the way. Sometimes fellow candidates do tell the truth. Just... of course not at the moment that it suits you.

Is that now the voice of... Art?

A standard elimination seems more of an exception than a rule these days. Because while Rik calmly tells us that we are going to do it just a little differently again, we suddenly hear a voice in the distance. One that sounds very familiar. A WIDM legend, we can safely say. Yes, it’s really him: Art Rooijakkers. Honestly: I really didn’t see this coming; but as far as I’m concerned, this is the best reunion so far.

But do the candidates think so too? Hmm... I guess not. With this reunion comes an extra: the special elimination we once saw in Anne-Marie's season. Except for her and Sahil, everyone received a green screen, and they get to decide what happens with the last two. These five candidates must decide whether the elimination goes ahead. And whether that should be unanimous or by majority, that could have significant consequences. As the best little students in the class, they naturally shout that they want to go for as much money as possible AND help their friends. But guys... there’s still a saboteur around.

This elimination will linger for a while

Maybe I’m the only one, but it feels like we can just cross off two suspects this episode. Because as a Mole, the production really doesn’t let you wait outside while the rest gets to meet. Outside, you have no influence, of course. The production team determines the distribution here, and thus Sahil and Anne-Marie drop a bit on the lists.

Wherever the Mole was: they had the day of their life. Trust proves to be worth little in this program, and agreements are still made with crossed fingers. We don’t get to see a red screen, but the pot? That’s back to 0. Well done, Mole. Well done. Can the group ever make this right?