Kees Flodder - First episode

They're back, and our television screens will certainly know it. The latest generation of the Flodder Family is preparing for the wedding of Kees Jr. at the beginning of this spin-off. This young woman has snagged a wealthy man from the nearby district of Eyckendael, which is even fancier than Zonnedael, where the Flodders lived in the past. Lodewijk, Kees Jr.'s fiancé, is an elderly millionaire with a heart condition, and when her son JP rushes into the wedding hall to stop the marriage, the old man collapses. Unfortunately for JP, Lodewijk has just said "I do," and the marriage is legally binding.

The consequences are unfathomable. Kees Jr. inherits all of her new husband's properties, except for his cigar band collection, including the spacious villa. The family decides to move in, and the whole bunch takes up residence in the villa. The new generation of Flodders is just as marginal as their parents, and things quickly get out of hand. What stands out is that both the composition of the characters and some of the actions are closely related to how we got to know the Flodder family years ago. Only two from that entire generation appear in this new series. Grandma Flodder is played by a different actress, but she is instantly recognizable with her ever-present cigarette. Tatjana Šimić is the only original cast member present in both the films and the TV series. That's why she lends her name to the title of this new Flodder series, although she only joins her family at the end of the first episode.

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Kees Flodder doesn't really surprise. Those familiar with the films and the original series know what to expect. In that regard, little has changed in the setup. But that's for the best because this is the kind of series you should be able to enjoy without much effort, where you can treat your laughing muscles. And although you can see many things coming, which you might call a lack of originality, you will certainly laugh at some scenes. Those scenes in the first episode also evoke a lot of memories of the first Flodder film.

A series like Kees Flodder mainly relies on humor and much less on intelligent conversations between the various characters. In that respect, the creators have already succeeded because the way certain characters converse raises some questions. Of course, some things are exaggerated again, but you shouldn't go overboard with that, and personally, I find that the residents of the neighborhood where the Flodders appear come across as a bit too pretentious.

Nevertheless, I must conclude that the start of this spin-off can certainly be called successful. If this level is maintained, Kees Flodder could last for several seasons.