De parelvissers

The story about a reunion of friends was presented in the media as one of the best series ever made. This was probably because Tom Lenaerts - a popular celebrity in Flanders - was the producer. This was his first series he produced. But what a mistake it was. Lenaerts himself told the public that the first 2 episodes (6 in total) were hard to follow. He was right, you had to be very focused to follow the first episode because a lot of people were introduced and sometimes it wasn't very clear who was who, there were a lot of flash backs,... But as said, we were curious to see the following episodes. But it was so disappointing. Each episode was more of the same. Nothing actually happened. Now and then there was something new you learned, but that was it. I settled my hope on the last episode, but again, we learned few new things about the story...

If there was a bit more action and a better end it would have been less worse. Much to do about nothing

This must be one of the best series I have ever seen. The series tell you the story of the extremely successful television company called The Parelvissers. After years of success the head of the cooperation (Jan De Ridder) disappeared along with 100 million Belgian Franks. After 6 years all the members of this television company meet again in a house for an extended weekend. And this series shows you how day after day every member of The Parelvissers has it's own secrets that lead to the mystery of Jan De Ridder's dissapearing. It is an extremely intelligent story with excellent actors. It makes you wanting to watch the entire series in one time. It reminded me at Twin Peaks at some point. One person dissapaeres and everyone has had a hand in it. Just rent or buy this, you won't be disappointed. The DVD box also features English subtitles.

I wrote this comment because I'm tired of those people who keep bitching that the series is too slow, or that there was not enough action. This series is indeed hard to follow (the story is quite complicated) but from the first until the last episode I was impressed by the great performances of the actors.Yes it is not an action series, or a detective, thriller or whatever. It's a very different style of television, which demands concentration and good thinking by the viewer but for a lot of people this is already too much asked, as they are used to popular formats on TV, fast action series like C.S.I (solving 56 crimes in a half hour). So it is is a slow, difficult TV show, but it grabbed me by the throat from the first until the last minute. If you really like high-skilled actor performances, it's just a MUST SEE !