Gooische Vrouwen back after 15 years: ‘Nostalgia with contemporary problems’

• Emma Brink

  Text editor online

After 15 years, fans are now ready again for the conversations with Martin Morero, the expressive silence of Dr. Rossi and the flowery statements of Claire van Kampen. All the characters return in a new season of the series created by Linda de Mol Gooische Vrouwenwho won the Golden Televizier Ring in 2009.

The arrival of a new chapter for friends Cheryl, Anouk, Claire and Roelien has been met with enthusiasm. Not surprisingly, the media scientist Simone Driessen, is affiliated with Erasmus University. “It has a nostalgic effect, it’s reminiscent of earlier times. Then you might be sitting on the couch with chips with your parents, now you might be watching with your own family.”

Television critic and podcast creator Alex Mazereeuw was a bit hesitant when the episode was announced. “Very often you see a TV program that is put back in the microwave. You then feel: twenty years ago this was a thing, but it is difficult to keep up with the times.”

However, it is a big surprise after seeing the first two episodes. According to Mazereeuw, the series, directed by Will Koopman, continues on a familiar basis without being too repetitive. “With contemporary problems.”

The characters in the series have grown older, but so have the viewers. “The characters have problems that you might have yourself,” says Driessen.

For example, Rolien seems to be suffering from menopause, Cheryl is having a hard time with her teenage son Remy Martin and Claire is dumped after the first date. “That makes it known in a fun, joking way. That recognition contributes to success Gooische Vrouwen.”

But how well known is it really, to live in a big city in the Gooi? Driessen: “You can have as much money as you want, but what you get is often universal love.”

According to Mazereeuw, all the characters are caricatures and the events in the series are often ‘over the top’. “There’s a kind of uncertainty there, but the writers and the actors take it to a higher level. You see a caricature, but also the nature of the person underneath.”

There was stereotyping in earlier seasons criticism. This was, for example, about the Asian au pair Tippi Wan, a character who was paid three euros an hour and called “walking bamihap”. Said the actress who played Tippi Wan, Cystine Carreon earlier against the Telegraaf that she would decline the role at this time.

The new season features a Chilean housewife. Mazereeuw sees this as a response to Tippi Wan. “Chilean housewife is treated very sensitively this season, and Tippi Wan was treated like trash.

The new housekeeper isn’t doing her job well, but Roelien thinks her firing is pathetic and she’s afraid she’ll do it the wrong way. “It seems that the friends are looking back on their own history.”

Other things have not changed. “Dr. Rossi (the series’ psychiatrist, ed.) isn’t saying anything yet, that’s a trick,” said the TV analyst. Rossi gets all the Gooi on the He has a bed, and it seems to help people by making them empty. “That’s a real repetition, but it works.”

According to Mazereeuw, the makers have found the right formula: “You repeat things, but also add new elements to keep it fresh. “

The element of recognition provides additional appeal, according to Driessen. “It’s a series that people have put a lot of time into before. That makes you come back to it faster.”