Going Dutch

As a Dutch person I think it's hilarious to see what these writers think is dutch.

Many reviewers already pointed it out and they are right, most things Dutch in this series are German.

So I made a little game out of it: spot the mistake and laugh at the correct things.

Just watched the episode about korfbal, really dutch game. And it was funny. Seeing the French flag, a Swiss horn and all the terrible accents.

There is just one thing that really irritates me and that is Katherine, a great British actrice/comedian, trying to have a Dutch accent. Just nope.

Just ask Dutch actors for these roles, even the best English speaking wil have that telltale's Dutch accent.

After the pilot where I was very underwhelmed I thought I would at least give it one more chance. I don't think I made it ten minutes in the second episode. The plots are just written like a junior high school project. Then again Dennis Leary's usual sharp wit is both missing, and what is attempted just falls flat. I guess because he played a hard nosed drunk fire fighter and a cop in two different series they figured it would work as an army officer. Part of the problem was in those other series he broke the rules, but usually for a good reason to help others. Here he is supposed to be the top brass in what seems like a dumb joke in the first place. I've never served, but I've heard wild tails by some who have. Somehow a base like this one just does not seem plausible in the military. So Leary being sentenced to it for insubordination seems just so dumb.

As others have mentioned, plot lines aren't always great. But it gives me early days Parks & Rec vibes (you know how you have to tell friends who haven't seen P&R to just stick through the first season or so?). They're working on it and I see it getting better with every episode. If it gets renewed, I think one day it'll become a cult classic like the aforementioned Parks, or even Community. Which reminds me, Danny Pudi is no stranger to this type of comedy. I recommend sticking with it, it has a lot to offer, and the dry wit is on point. The acting is, as others have said, great even when the plot isn't there which helps immensely. Are there a few dumb plots or issues with the show? Yes. But I think they're shaping it up and, if they get a second season, they could really do something great with it. So, while I'm not surprised at the poor reviews, I think it'll grow on folks like other cult comedies have.

It has potential. The funnier characters start to open up as the season progresses, and the show will blossom if it's given a chance. Supporting cast has the comedy chops. It needs to find its rhythm but its a fun storyline of the contradictory national identities and how it impacts individuals at a small scale. The characters Jan and Papadakis especially shine. I think season 2 should start at a higher baseline of emotional intelligence, the adult children thing is too predictable. There are odd moments of magical realism, heartfelt portrayals of efforts at connection, non-insulting reflective humor about America, Green light Season 2, then decide!

I don't expect a low budget comedy to deliver an accurate depiction of the Netherlands, but this is just downright lazy. It's one thing to take creative liberties, but to conflate Dutch culture with... German, Swiss, Austrian maybe? Who knows? Honestly, I can't even tell what they're aiming for. It's as if the writers skipped geography class entirely, glanced at a pack of stroopwafels and cobbled together the entire plot based on a handful of tired Dutch stereotypes. If at least the humor could be its redeeming factor. But alas, the jokes are flat, shallow and barely enough to elicit even the faintest hint of a smirk.