The Neighbours

This Dutch series is the usual soap opera about neighbors in a cul-de-sac all of whom have hidden secrets and agendas. The script is poorly edited and tends to jump about quite a bit. This messes up continuity of the story and also tends to skew character development. It helps pass time when there is nothing else in your queue.

Season 2 takes on more of a soap opera feel as characters from Season 1 are brought back from certain death by means the viewers can only assume are the result of medical miracles and treatment as yet unknown to man! The story line becomes confusing and suggests that the writing took a dive. As most of the other posters have suggested, Season 3-4 may not be worth it to continue.

Nieuwe buren.. (New Neighbors).. or The Swingers (poor choice).. through two seasons this show retains interest. The cast is solid, with many outstanding performances, and the writing is well up to their abilities. The only negative comment would be that the subtitles in season two are not al all easy to read and keep up with. Outside of that minor flaw, it is a fine overall production. The third season just aired in March, and it's hoped it will soon be made available for viewing.

It's not divulging much to say that quite a few of the characters do not make it through the first and second seasons (killing comes frequently) , as cast credits indicates whose making it through all thirty of the episodes to date. An interesting premise, with much of the allure generated by the lead actor.. she is no less than outstanding. It will be most interesting to see if they are able to sustain it all through another season(s). I'd say don't pass it up. ..

Season 4 is really bad. Bad actors en totally onrealistic story.

Season 4 is totally unwatchable. Bad acting, worse writing. No character development, inconsistent storyline. Waste of time.

I watched the British version of this drama first (The Couple Next Door - 2023). This original 2014 Dutch version (if you are happy to view by sub titles) is far superior.

Firstly, the acting is of a higher quality. Secondly, the characters are far better cast and much more believable. And thirdly, the climax of series 1 is spread over 4 episodes and therefore more credible than in the British version which is crammed into one episode. The series title is, however, somewhat of a misnomer as there is virtually no "swinging" involved across the entire series.

On the down side, the plot does seem to spread a little more thinly by the time you get to series 4. At the conclusion of series 4 it also leaves unanswered the question of how the 'surviving' characters are ever going to get away with their actions?

The same two criticisms that I mentioned in my review of the British version are equally relevant here, i.e. Why does everybody insist on leaving their front room curtains open at night? And how do the near-death characters manage to survive???

Whilst I feel that the credibility of the series does spiral downwards as the 40 episodes progress, it is still nonetheless worthy of watching.