Van der Valk (TV Series) A Man of No Importance (1973) User Reviews

The Body on The Barge.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 23 July 2023]

Van der Valk is taken away from an ongoing investigation by a John Doe, who's body is spotted at the head of a barge by a young boy.

It's not surprising to find Van der Valk in a spot of trouble at work, but here he's also in trouble as a result of forgetting Arlette's birthday.

Series two began with a very strong opener, the trend continued here, this was another very engaging mystery, I haven't at any point felt this show is repetitive or formulaic, there's something so curious about this story.

I am so keen to see more from Barry Foster, once again watching him here, I'm reminded of John Thaw's Inspector Morse, so matter of fact, so commanding, his pronunciation is quite something.

Van der Valk is driving a DAF, I'm not sure what happened to his car, a few interesting YouTube videos about the small car company.

Very intriguing, it's a real brain teaser, well paced, very well acted, Patricia Lawrence and Kevin Stoney in particular.

Enjoyed this one.

8/10.

A Man of No Importance

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 3 June 2019]

Van der Valk is in a spot of bother over a case where a complaint was made over an arrest.

On the way to the enquiry about it. Van der Valk and Kroon get diverted to a dead body spotted by a boy in a barge. That is more interesting and they get a short amount of time from Commissaris Halsbeek as to the dead man's identity.

The barge worker who was transporting goods is the main suspect but he does not even know how the dead man got there.

Apparently the dead man fell from a train and landed on the barge. He had died of a heart attack.

A cheque leads Van der Valk to an heiress fallen on hard times. Her husband died many years ago on her honeymoon. Van der Valk finds out that the dead man and her late husband have a close resemblance.

An intriguing and curious episode. Van der Valk even plays a matchmaker for the heiress knowing that the local antique dealer has always carried a torch for her.

Commissaris Halsbeek and Van der Valk seem to have a caustic relationship. Van der Valk and Arlette nearly had an abrasive one as well. However his birthday present eventually arrives, a dishwasher.