WIDM aftertalk: is this the hint to the Mole?

The makers of ‘Who is the Mole?’ have become experts at hiding clues. Usually, this means that we discover in the finale that all the big hints were actually out of sight. Except in 2016, of course, when that modest cross in episode 2 loudly shouted ‘Klaas van KRUIStum’. And now? It seems like history is repeating itself. A hint appears that is so clear, we almost get red flags. The name of the (potential) Mole is literally spelled out. This can't be a coincidence...?

WIDM hint alert: this moment in the first task might just say it all

For us, it's already been a week, but for the candidates, everything just keeps rolling on. They're still half-focused on the farewell of Richard, but Rik wouldn't be Rik if he didn't wake them up again immediately. We have to move on, and with... pastel de nata. The recipe for those delicious pastries remains (unfortunately) just as secret as the identity of the Mole, but half of the group is allowed to deliver orders. The other half must first free those orders by being flashed with various ‘vehicles’.

While I'm still processing Rik's explanation, my eye suddenly catches something completely different. What does that say on the fence of the restaurant? Does it say Natan? Okay, the spelling isn't quite right, but come on — this must be a hint. He is definitely under a magnifying glass now.

During the task, he seems to be pushing his own plan through. Remarkable, yes, but his ideas are mostly correct and also generate money. Not really mole material, then. Someone in his group is indeed sabotaging, as the flashers leave the money behind. My mark goes behind Jurre's name. And let's give a round of applause for the delivering candidates: finding your way in an unknown city without navigation? I think that's impressive.

The task of WIDM tasks is back

Although the makers of WIDM do their best to surprise us every time, they also love traditions. And one stands out above the rest: the game of games, the laser task. For the anniversary season, it even got an extra glitter layer. Instead of one bad guy, we got a whole reunion: the bellboys, the blindfolded ballerinas, the terrifying maids; everyone is back.

As full-fledged bank robbers, the candidates must try to steal bags of money from a warehouse without being hit by the laser guns. Sounds straightforward, but of course, there's a catch: those bags also contain mingeld, and that must come out before they get into the car. An important detail, you would say; but in the heat of the moment, that is completely forgotten. Dennis is the first to go wrong, but certainly not the last.

This is exactly the kind of task where we will later see how the Mole could easily cheat without being disturbed. The chaos and stress made it a sort of Mission: Impossible, and thanks to €450,- mingeld, the group ends up with ‘only’ €1020,-. Actually a pretty good score; for the Mole, that is.

Jurre held that treasurer role very tightly

Another WIDM tradition? The eternal bickering over who gets to be treasurer. And honestly: with that role, you have a bit of power in your hands. Sneaking something away makes you an immediate prime suspect (although it has happened before), but preventing someone else from doing that can also be a very good reason to keep the money close to you.

Whatever the reason was: Jurre was notably eager to stay treasurer just a bit longer. You would almost think he had prior knowledge, because just then Rik announces that there is a benefit ready for the money manager. Quite a coincidence, if you ask me.

Jurre gets the chance to address the Mole during a police interrogation, and hopefully lure him out. Meanwhile, the rest of the group can engage in mindfulness with Rik's voice (also worth something, let's be honest). Whether a career as a detective lies ahead for Jurre... I don't think so. His tactic of making strange noises is, to say the least, remarkable.

There is some reaction from Kim and Merel. But yes, is that because of Rik, or because of Jurre? If all goes well, only the Mole can hear him; and he could of course still be that himself. Have we really become any wiser from this? Mwah. It has cost the group €1000,- in any case. Thanks to the Mole?

The exit pattern is broken

Do you remember that question with which we started? season No, I don't mean ‘who is the Mole?’. I'm talking about: what is more logical, an old candidate as the new Mole or someone who has already had this role? In the last two episodes, the answer seemed to increasingly point towards option two. Eliminated candidates Imanuelle and Richard were both former candidates. As Rik already says: it can certainly pay off if you know exactly how a Mole operates.

Yet that pattern is now broken. When the other three former candidates are secured and it is again time for the fourth screen, this one turns red for the first time for a former-Mole. Dennis said he really had to try hard in the game this time; nice, but apparently also harder than he thought.

For us, the big question is completely open again, although that one mega-hint seems to guide us a bit. Is the big suspicion of the former winners really correct?