De Ronde (2011)

For me, especially the atmosphere and that recognizable around the Tour of Flanders was nice to see. The beers in the cafe or in the seat before the round, that media circus, those Flemish flags,... In addition, you can always count on that small, but very strong Flemish actor's pond. I, on the other hand, thought the story was mediocre. You had the round itself and there were all kinds of stories around it, but I can't really say whether they have anything to do with each other. I often notice that certain series are hyped in the media and that people are going to watch a series better, but the story fell short. Of course there were some cult moments like the pooping dwarf, if you have to shit you have to poop,... We'll probably hear that last one for a few years . Could have been better.

Translated from Dutch · View original

It was an original idea to have a mini-series revolve around the Flemish Cycling High Mass. There is unity of time, because everything takes place on the day of the Tour. The many simultaneous storylines have that cycling classic as their pivot. Some lines show the cycling experience from different points of view: the control room, the journalists, the podium girls, the VIPs, the advertising caravan, the spectators and the TV viewers. Other lines are further removed from the sport: the lawn mower, the Havana and the illegal euthanasia, but there is always a link with the race. On that day, everything seems to revolve around the Tour, even though normal life goes on.

The line between reality and fiction is vague. Commentators play themselves. Cameras were placed in the follow-up cars, so that you can follow the tactical guidelines of the team leaders. Real race footage is alternated with the fiction surrounding it. It is about the memorable edition of 2010, when Cancellara stormed the Muur van Geraardsbergen.

It ranges from Flemish toilet humor to melancholic tragedy. Diverse characters clash with each other, face a moral dilemma and go through an evolution. Thanks to this series I know what hit and run is in German: Fahrerflucht. The most famous quote is: "O'j moe' kakk'n, moe-j' kakk'n!"

Stefaan Degand broke through with this role, but it is a whole ensemble cast. Many of the best-known Flemish actors play a great role, too many to mention, with various regional accents. You don't have to be a fanatic cycling fan to appreciate this series, because it is mainly a mirror of Flemish society with all its small and large conflicts.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Series that urgently needs to be revisited, but with the gigantic expectations that were created when the series was released in the back of mind, this was a serious setback, certain storylines such as the far-right jerk did nothing for me. Images of the round itself were (far too) limited. And it all got a bit too gloomy without some moments to soften that a bit, I thought. If you're tired, you're tired, probably the most famous humorous piece, but I didn't think it was funny. Too bad, miss (little) van Eelen for me.

Translated from Dutch · View original