WIDM aftertalk: these lies came very easily

This week no emotional reunion with old acquaintances, but a touch of nostalgia in the form of old-fashioned Dutch games. Although it remains ‘Who is the Mole?’, and everything goes just a little differently. Playing open cards? No way. No one loses sleep over a little cheating. Especially Jurre; he smoothly pulls his lies out of his sleeve. Even Rik seems to barely keep his normally stoic face in check. Did the Mole get caught here?

Who is the Mole? or just CSI?

For a moment it seemed as if we had landed in a new true crime thriller; but as soon as the first notes of the intro start, we remember: this is just WIDM. Although we can call it CSI: The Mole for now. The owner of a large Portuguese mansion has been “murdered,” and the candidates must search for the perpetrator, the weapon, and the location like a kind of live Cluedo. Rik's most important tip? Check all alibis (we'll get back to that shortly).

Jurre, Sahil, Kim, and Merel take care of the interrogations, while the rest goes on a quest for fingerprints and blood traces with a real detective kit. Are the right questions really being asked? “Did you love him?” is deliciously juicy in movies, but you don't necessarily get further with that. Merel, we completely understand that giggle. And checking the chef's alibi... no one?

The ticking timer ultimately proves to be the biggest enemy. With every minuscule clue, enormous conclusions are drawn, and that costs them dearly. The perpetrator escapes, just like most of the money. Maybe it would have been wise to share discoveries like a secret room with the whole group... or not, Merel? Well, trusting each other remains difficult; and the Mole is laughing in his fist in the meantime.

Jurre almost got away with it... almost

After an eventful night in the mansion, it's time for a lighter game. A musical chairs game to fado music with a delightful lunch; although that last part doesn't apply to everyone. A few candidates receive a dish that is just a bit sourer or spicier than the rest and must disguise that with their best poker face. You want to make it to the end of this lunch; and when Rik emphasizes that so much, you know there's more to it.

While everyone is a bit too enthusiastic about how “delicious” the first course is, Loes slowly turns tomato red. She is trying hard not to show anything, but her face gives everything away. And did you see what Anne-Marie did? Without saying anything, she slides a chair over in round two. Maybe it was from production, but it could also just be a conscious tactical nudge. In any case, it saves her from an extremely sour dessert. Something Kim fails to do; she gets caught immediately and Nathan also seems to have to leave.

Until Merel notices that Jurre is trying very hard to keep all the attention away from himself. Is he deceiving everyone here? He swears he isn't; he even puts his friendship with Sahil on the line. But it doesn't help. Jurre's lies are seen through completely. Even Rik seems unable to remain fully neutral; his normally stoic face falters. Did a major mole action fail here? That Jurre lies so easily, we will definitely write down in bold letters.

Those trump cards turn everything upside down

Lunch is over and with €1500 added, it was quite a successful dinner. But the real work only begins now: there are trump cards to be earned. Merel, Nathan, Sahil, and Anne-Marie all receive a joker, and an envelope with a question mark on it. Opening it is not necessary, but yes... that temptation is of course way too great. Merel can't contain her curiosity and tears it open. We don't get much wiser from her reaction alone.

Her secrecy works like a domino effect: Nathan and Sahil also give in. And Sahil? He wants just one thing: to prevent Anne-Marie from opening her envelope. Because if she doesn't, it earns him another extra joker. His mind games seem to work, and in the end, three trump cards remain in play. One for Anne-Marie and two for Sahil; although he passes one on to his buddy Nathan. For them, episode 6 suddenly seems within reach.

And then it turns out: these trump cards are the turning point. The losers of lunch must especially NOT know what has happened afterwards, or who is walking around with a joker in their pocket. The time for sharing and “going for the group” seems to be over. The game is now really on.

Escaping doesn't work a second time

Last week's elimination left significant marks. The pot was empty down to the last cent, but one advantage it had: Sahil and Anne-Marie did not get to see a screen. One of them really crawled through the eye of the needle.

With such a second life, you naturally hope for new insights. To see the light, a fresh theory, and to avoid having to pack your bags now. We will never know for sure who was in trouble last week; although we can suspect it was Sahil. Because despite his joker, the curtain is now falling for him.

But before he really says goodbye, he receives a special souvenir: the exemption that went home with him unused in his first season time. He doesn't make it this time either, but hey, it's a nice keepsake. A memory of a journey in which he may have been betrayed by his real-life bestie... who will say?