User Reviews

There's lots going on in this episode which moved along at a good pace throughout.

Plans for the van der Valks' anniversary trip away are left in tatters as Piet is needed in Amsterdam. His task: to try and avert any trouble related to the proposal of a new sea dam which is perceived to be a threat to traditional industries and not perhaps as 'green' as it may appear.

Van der Valk is provided with a new assistant in the form of the very competent Chief Inspector Tony Vishnu. I really liked how the two of them worked together and would have been keen to see how this working relationship developed; what a shame that was not to be, as this was the last ever episode of van der Valk featuring Barry Foster in the lead role. I also liked the way the van der Valk character was portrayed alongside her, with his respect for her growing.

Action abounds. Drugs busts, explosions, safe houses, demonstrations by eco warriors, a bloody nose, a murder, a possible suicide and of course Wim (whose character I've still not warmed to) screeching his car tyres a bit. How is the casino involved? Why is one of the green protesters seen at a fisherman's funeral? As for poor neglected Arlette, what is she up to when Piet spots her in a clandestine meeting with another man in Amsterdam?

I'm sad that this episode marked the end of an era, but I think it ended on a high. I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to see series 1-5 complete. RIP Barry Foster, 1927-2002.

The final episode of Van der Valk. Well the Barry Foster version. With Thames Television losing their ITV franchise, this was the end of the road.

Still Waters has all the ingredients of a murky thriller. Paul Kortman is a civil engineer who has exceeded his brief and developed a project of a large scale sea barrier.

Only his last construction project was controversial and upset ecology groups. It turns out it was bad for the environment and local farmers.

It seems Kortman might get only a reluctant go ahead from the government ministers and their advisors.

After a credible threat on Kortman which is blamed on a radical green group. Van der Valk is put in charge of keeping him safe.

However an attempt his made on his life as Kortman gives an impromptu press conference. Later he is found dead.

Van der Valk finds, Kortman's company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Political corruption, gambling debts and extortion.

A decent episode to end with but I was never a fan of these feature length Van der Valk's of the 90s. There was just something too formulaic about it.