WIDM aftertalk: the Mole makes history

As a Mole, you have one task: to keep the pot as low as possible. Normally, you would have quite a bit of time to prepare and think about how to sabotage the game as best as you can. This season was different; the Mole was only chosen in episode one and often had to make do with a last-minute briefing. An extra challenge, you might think. Well, it turned out to be not so bad for this Mole.

Just score some souvenirs

Whether you are the first or the last, having to leave the search for the Mole is never fun. As a candidate, you do everything you can to get as far as possible and experience everything. The finalists of this year are, quite rightly, very proud that they succeeded. But you can't end such a special adventure without scoring a nice souvenir. Rik must have thought so too; the final episode starts with a shopping trip to the market, of course with a WIDM twist. The candidates receive a list of items they need to buy, but while shopping, they are not allowed to touch the ground. Do we remember that, the floor is lava? Each found item earns €250, but every misstep costs €50. Balancing on crates and not falling through turns out to be especially challenging for Maaike at first. Once everyone has found their balance, the real search can begin.

The bar may not have been set too high for this group, but the task seems to be going quite smoothly. One item after another is crossed off the list, although here and there a foot does touch the ground. Just stepping over to the next crate proves to be difficult, right, Roos? In the full focus of wanting to earn money, you sometimes forget to enjoy the game as a candidate. Luckily, Roos is there for a little reminder. Trying on a hat or admiring jewelry, it should still be a bit fun. Stijn and Maaike find her quite annoying for now; that pot doesn't fill itself. All in all, the yield is not bad: seven good items minus nine times touching the ground gives the group €1,300. A very welcome amount, but it could have been more. Who made so many missteps?

Really the very last one

After her departure last week, Sophie decided that Roos could now become the treasurer. Something the other finalists completely disagree with. Their distrust takes over, and the pot will now be checked at every meeting. Meanwhile, its contents are not so spectacular; it is even the lowest pot ever just before the climax. A round of applause for the Mole. One last time, the candidates get the chance to add some money. At a large lake, they must fish pieces of paper circles out of the water; if a circle is complete, €300 is added, and that finalist may choose an earlier eliminated candidate to see their choices during the determination of the Mole. In the pouring rain, the candidates give it their all one last time. Especially Stijn and Roos are doing well; they both manage to complete two circles. Maaike is a bit less handy with the rod and has to make do with one circle. With the last €1,500 added, the unprepared Mole makes history, remaining with €8,055, the lowest pot ever in 25 years of WIDM. Once again, compliments.

The last bit of information

The finalists each get to see the footage of the eliminated candidates they chose. We see, for the most part, which traits they found important during the mole auditions, which they placed in the temple with the different candidates, and who they voted for in test one at ‘Who is the Mole?’. But which of these three components really determined who the Mole was? It all remains a bit vague. While their heads are still spinning from the new information, the three remaining candidates must pack their bags one last time. They are going back to capital Phnom Penh for the final test. Stijn and Maaike focus their last forty questions on Roos, who is convinced of sabotaging Stijn. The entire group from season 25 comes together again on the helipad where their search really began. Where a pure candidate became a Mole, who according to Rik was creative, social, and ruthless. The group is already informed about who has played a double role all this time. We get to make one last balance ourselves with that final hint. Next week, it will finally be time; then we will know the answer to that oh so important question. Just hold on a little longer.