WIDM talk: does the Mole start with a disadvantage?

Last week we were treated to a meet-and-greet episode with all the candidates heading to Cambodia. A first in the WIDM world; but if we are to believe Rik, we will see many more things in this anniversary season that have never been done before. Last Saturday, the journey towards tunnel vision really began, and if you ask me, Rik seems to be more than fulfilling his promise. I was already a fan, but now I am even more excited for this season.

An unexpected start

As usual, I was ready with my Mol notebook for the first task, which, by WIDM standards, was actually quite simple. All candidates receive a message whispered in their ears by Rik and then have to discuss who has a chance at a joker and who does not. The starting signal for all the lying and deceiving, and everyone seems to have their own tactic. Roos immediately decides that telling the truth is not a priority, and Sam also tries to mislead the others – in a somewhat forceful way. All for a trump card, right? The tone has been set, at least. Without too much further explanation, the candidates are then sent into a temple, where they have to assign characteristics to each other. Why exactly, no one knows. Although Maaike is the only one who seems to make the connection with the Mollicitations from the preparations for the trip. Everyone dutifully carries out the task, only to then face the dreaded tablet. Time for the test. But this time, not twenty questions, but just one: who is the Mole? With clammy hands, the group appears before Rik; no one wants to be the first to be eliminated. Soon the reassuring words come that no one has to go home. The reason: no one could have answered the test question correctly, because apparently, there was not even a Mole yet? The candidates determined that day who would take on this role, but no one knows how. Huge compliments to the creators who, after 25 years, still manage to come up with a great plot twist. So, all suspicions up to now can be immediately dismissed.

The Mole is loose

The big question at breakfast: who pours an extra cup of coffee? The Mole must have been awake all night to catch up on the information deficit. But we don't really get much wiser from the morning question round yet. Let's hope we can catch the fresh saboteur during the next task. In pairs, the candidates gather all the ingredients for a good party. Where €3000 could have been earned, the Mole has managed with ‘only’ €900, which is quite a good initiation. But yes, who fell for it? Maaike seems to sabotage her cake by already nibbling on it, and Roos also fails to get the exotic snacks safely to the party. Sam mainly wants to make it clear that he really did his best; a very enthusiastic candidate, or not? The second test is still a while away, for now, everyone can go to sleep peacefully. Except for the Mole, who is preparing for the extensive briefing from Rik. Analyzing the most bizarre details can really begin now. Bring it on. Next week we will discuss episode 2, looking forward to it.

Image: Joy Hansson