This is just a fun, fun Dutch series that I highly recommend, especially to those individuals seeking Dutch language content. Filled with humor and with the stylized look and feel of a 1960's spy story, Heer & Meester gives both The Saint and James Bond vibes (although probably closer to The Saint). The character of Valentijn Rixtus Bentinck (Dan Schuurmans) first appears to the audience dressed to the 9's at a masked party in a luxurious mansion where he suavely kisses a stranger before slipping into a room where he opens a safe containing a large Faberge egg.
He is subsequently taken in for questioning by the lovely Suze Geleijnse (Sytske van der Ster) when a dead body shows up at the same crime scene. This begins an interesting cat and mouse between Valentijn and Suzie, where Valentijn escapes and then pops up in Suze's car for a little witty repartee that usually includes the sharing of information to the ends of finding the real murderer.
Each episode thereafter has a bit of a formula, it begins with a phone call from Suze interrupting Valentijn doing something dangerous and often expensive like scaling a high rise building, going into space, deep sea diving, and truffle hunting where he is facing off with a bear. Suze is usually asking Valentijn for help with her current case because of a particular skill, talent, or connection of Valentijn's. Then Valentijn joins Suze to help her solve her case, usually with some sabotage from her office mate and almost always with Valentijn hooking up with a lovely lady during the case...often using his signature line, "Every day is Valentijn's day".
Over the course of the series we learn that Valentijn is alone in the world, having been left as a baby at a church, not knowing his mother or father. He does have a somewhat mysterious (and bottomless) trust fund that he lives off of. Growing up in a fancy boarding school in Switzerland, but returning to The Hague to live and solve the mystery of his parentage. He lives in a nice hotel where he is assisted by a tireless hotel employee who acts like his personal butler named Leo.
Leo, often joined by his nephew for the computer needs, is another Jack of all trades but seems to have a questionable if not shady past. Lots of inside jokes pass between Leo and Valentijn...including that a "pick up from the airport" used to have a different meaning.
Most episodes include a clue or some advancement to solving the mystery of Valentijn's parentage.
The series is loaded with humor, great sets, beautiful costumes, beautiful women, fast cars, snappy dialogue and fun mysteries.
This is a strong recommendation from me. The show is infectious and addictive. I think cosy mystery fans will love it and fans of that 60' spy nostalgia. Be prepared to laugh, be jealous and fall in love with the Dutch city The Hague.
