Van der Valk Season 3 Episode 4 Review: Redemption in Amsterdam: Part Two
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
It’s always interesting territory to deal with killers who might be more sympathetic than their victims. We land there to some degree on Van Der Valk Season 3 Episode 4, “Redemption in Amsterdam: Part Two.”
Thankfully, this doesn’t apply to Yan, Piet’s friend and Julia’s ex-husband (do we know of that tidbit before she tells the squad?) It does apply to Rick, who we learn is guilty of cruelty to past lovers—and possibly much worse.
For an episode that resolves several violent crimes, this hour is surprisingly quiet and introspective. There’s grief for Yan and a brief but awkward interlude with Piet’s ex, Lena, who I’m sure we’ll see again despite those circumstances.
Yet most of the tone is centered around Yasmine and how she’s perceived by Piet and others in comparison with the public. We spend more scenes with her and have time to empathize with her and those who stand by her.
It’s one of those people, Hannah, who winds up being our real killer. This is also where Rick’s morality comes into play. He was a friend to Yasmine’s brothers, and the evidence heavily suggests he was person who really killed them.
Hannah, passionate about those who face injustice after the suicide of her partner who was also falsely accused, has taken up arms against the man for reasons we can relate to. The defense for killing Yan is much looser- he simply got in the way.
Even so, we sense the level of desperation she’s pushed to when finally confronted. It’s enough that she takes Yasmine, the person she’s arguably done all this for, as a hostage, even while speaking about how badly the woman has been wronged.
Yasmine’s quiet resolve in response is still more stirring. Though she now knows she may have be innocent of the crime she’s confessed to, she argues her own guilt to her friend. It’s enough to let Hannah drop her guard and be overpowered.
In the end, we can’t say for sure what happened to Yasmine’s brothers. We want her to be innocent and the forensics suggest as much. Even if she’s guilty, the facts align with her having a psychotic break and committing the act in a fugue state. The lack of finality remains unsettling.
It is nice that we’re still left with a relatively happy ending. Yasmine, now Lauren, will get some of the peace she deserves with her husband and daughters. Our team, though marred by grief, has found more opportunities to grow their bond with each other.
I can’t leave off without saying that I love our friend who sleeps in a coffin, even though I still don’t know his name. At least we know that his middle name is Christopher (not “Risk”). I’m very glad he doesn’t get killed helping our protagonists.
Van der Valk is adapted from the series by Nicolas Freeling and written by Chris Murray and Maria Ward. This episode was directed by Simone Van Dusseldorp.
What did you think of this episode of Van der Valk? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Van Der Valk airs Sundays at 10/9c on PBS.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Caitlin Wyneken
Caitlin is an elder millennial with an only slightly unhealthy dedication to a random selection of TV shows, from PBS Masterpiece dramas to some of the less popular series on popular networks. Outside of screen time, she's dedicated to the public sector and worthy nonprofits, working to make a difference in the world outside of media.