The show begins in 2022, with Sofie Geboers (Inge Paulussen) and Saskia Van Dessel (Ruth Becquart) haphazardly boarding a dingy. Saskia rows them out to sea as Stef Van “Mowgli” Gompel (Koen De Bouw) and Peter Van Gael (Tom Vermeir) discuss the 1992 tape. Peter suggests asking why someone would need to extort them. Stef says he has no idea, but probably money. Peter says either money or revenge. He suggests they begin with Sofie. Stef assures him that Sofie is “quick-witted,” but not behind the tape. Peter says she may be strapped for cash. He asks who on the island is struggling financially. Stef accuses him of taking it too far, assuming someone in their group is a blackmailer. Peter stresses a traitor got out with the tape, which they previously burnt. He boldly asks him if he is having money problems.

Stef warns Peter of what will happen to Didier Verpoorten’s (Herwig Ilegems) family. Peter says they viewed what happened as “boys being boys” until the MeToo Movement. He assures him everything will be okay. Stef reminds him of the video that shows him sexually assaulting a woman. He admits to being responsible for recording the assault. Peter tells him that Sofie chose him. Stef asks if his plea will be “mitigating circumstances” before referring to her as a “friend.” Peter says the MeToo Movement has ended. Stef sarcastically asks what planet he lives on.

Didier Verpoorten (Herwig Ilegems) asks Romee Tanesy (An Miller) and Lia Donkers (Sanne-Samina Hanssen) if they spoke to Peter. Romme asks what about. He informs her of Peter being out. She assures him that he can’t go far because they are on an island. Lia sarcastically asks if the boys refused to let him play with them.

Peter assures Stef that he is a fighter who won’t let the video ruin him. Stef questions what from his childhood turned him into a fighter. Apologizing for the relentless bullying, Peter reminds him of his success. Stef says bullying doesn’t make an adult successful. Peter places a hand on each of his shoulders before asking if it still torments him. When he tells him that revenge is understandable, Stef knocks his hands away. Stef asks him if he believes this is his revenge for what he did to him three decades ago. He says as minister, the video could destroy his life. Peter tells him that the video wouldn’t need to be released to the public. He pleads with him to open up about it. They are temporarily distracted by Sofie and Saskia expressing their fun. Peter tries to get their attention as Stef continues to discuss the video. He says Sofie and Saskia are not behind the video.

Peter and Stef prepare to enter the water when Saskia falls in, but Sofie pulls her back into the boat.

July 1992 – Didier Verpoorten (Bjarne Devolder) speaks to his father on the phone about them no longer being children. He hurries outside to order the others to kill the music. Romee Tanesy (Marieke Anthoni) heeds his request. He assures him that everything is okay before hanging up. His friends tease him when he emerges from the house. He informs Luk Van Gael (Tijmen Govaerts) that his PET scan wasn’t good before admitting it was a terrible joke. Luk disappointedly walks away, with Saskia Van Dessel (Tine Roggerman) in tow. Peter Van Gael (Lukas Bulteel) approaches as someone asks Didier what he has done. Sofie Geboers (Louis Bergez) assures him that because he is rich doesn’t mean he has free rein to do everything. She tells him what he did was terrible. He says it was a “bad joke.” She asks if any of the others are laughing before calling him a “rich spoiled prick.”

2022 – When Didier hands Luk Van Gael (Kevin Janssens) a drink with an umbrella, he describes it as “not sexy.” They discuss ice cream when Sofie informs them that she and Saskia nearly died. Saskia explains how she fell out of their dinghy. Romme apologizes for not telling her before. They gather for a group photo. Didier asks Peter and Stef where they have been. Peter claims they were saving Sofie and Saskia. Stef catches up with Peter to say he wants Didier to know about the video. Reminding him that Didier is emotionally weak, Peter suggests he may be the blackmailer. He says Didier will not keep it from Sofie or they both may be involved.

In the restroom, Sofie sits alone crying.

July 1992 – Didier sits alone, crying.

Peter performs “Marina” while the others gather around him. Saskia passes a joint to Romee. Didier takes a seat beside Luk. Peter toasts his friends when he gets to Didier, he assures him that it is all right to be an asshole every now and then. Didier apologizes to Luk. Mark (Felix Meyer) passes out dried sausages. Whispering, Sofie tells Didier that she thinks he is periodically funny.

2022 – All the friends retire for the night except Stef and Peter. They inform Didier of their plan to say they are going to bed but will meet in the kitchen in 15 minutes. Didier jokingly asks if they are trying to make fun of him. Stef assures him that they are being sincere and to not say anything to Sofie.

Stef is looking for a cellular reception when Peter startles him by flipping on the light. He says someone on the island is making the loco. They both agree to not let it happen. As Peter encourages him to relax, Didier arrives. Lia asks if they are having an afterparty. They claim to have been thirsty. Once she is gone, Stef starts tripping about her hearing them.

When Lia returns to the room, Luk claims to hear a Eurasian wren singing. Straddling him, she informs him of the guys having a drink downstairs. She asks if he would like to join them. He says, “Everything I need is here.” He claims to wear sunglasses just in case he cries.

Stef, Didier, and Peter walk to a remote area to talk. Peter hands him his phone to watch the video. Didier and Mark carry an unconscious Sofie up the steps to a bedroom, where they drop her on a bed. Peter informs him the anonymous message was sent to his phone. Panting, Didier denies responsibility for what happened to Sophie. Peter tells him that he remembers what happened. He starts screaming it didn’t happen like that. Stef informs him of the bitcoin ransom that must be paid by Monday. He assures him that the ransom also applies to them. A frantic Didier says the ransom isn’t too bad. Peter reminds him that the ransom demand is for Bitcoin valued at millions of euros. He admits to knowing nothing about Bitcoin. Peter says he must pay it when they return to the mainland.

Didier questions who sent the video. They tell him it was someone on the island. Looking at the video, he says it didn’t happen like that. Peter says nothing matters other than the video looking like a “dirty gang rape.” When Stef attacks Didier, Peter forces him to stop. Didier is kneeling on the ground sobbing when Peter jerks him up. He warns them that Sophie won’t be able to handle it. He says their life of 30 years will detonate in one minute. Stef asks if he is positive, she isn’t aware of what happened. He asks if they believe Sophie would agree to have two children with him if she knew. Stef says anyone on the island could be responsible, including him and Sophie. Irate, Didier reminds him that Sophie was the victim. He frantically starts walking back to the house.

Luk quietly tiptoes through the house. In a flashback, Luk tells Saskia about his camera. Turning the camera in her direction, he describes the technology as being “unbelievable.” Back to the present, Luk continues through the house to the living room, where he encounters Saskia. He asks if she has any regrets about him. She assures him that she doesn’t have any regrets. He asks if she would have chosen him if she and Peter were still together. She questions how he feels about his relationship with Lia. He admits to being happy. He comments about the way she looks at Stef. She asks him about buying a new wheelchair for their son. He assumes they will not be reimbursed for the expense. She tells him that she will pay for it.

July 1992 – Peter barges in on Saskia and Luk.

Gathered around the fire, Mark asks Stef if he would opt for a crazy night with Saskia who he will never see again or spend the rest of his life with friends. Stef Van Gompel (Vincent Van Sande) doesn’t respond. Romee says she opts for the wild night. Sophie asks who she would like to spend it with, Saskia or Stef. Mark bets Saskia that he doesn’t need to touch her breasts to make them move. She asks what the bet is for. He says a copy of “Disintegration” by The Cure. When he grabs both of her breasts, she smacks him. Luk reminds him that he promises not to touch her. Everyone goes to bed, leaving Stef sitting alone.

2022 – Peter tells Stef that he believes Didier suppressed his memories of the night Sofie was sexually assaulted. He promises to never forget it. Stef asks if the guilt is weighing him down. He admits it is a bit. Didier appears out of nowhere. He

July 1992 – Sofie goes for a swim in the buff while Stef watches. After she emerges from the pool, she takes a seat beside him. She tells him swimming at night in the movies seems romantic. He tells her about the French movie, “La Piscine.” Scooting a bit closer, she lays her head on his shoulder. As he starts to kiss her, she suggests they stay best friends. With tears in his eyes, he nods in agreement. She assures him that he will find that special someone someday.

2022 – Didier, Stef, and Peter trek back to the house. Stef asks what they think about Saskia. Didier reminds them of how Luk left her and Jens’ 24-hour care. Didier accuses Stef of looking at her like he loves her. Peter asks if it ever crossed his mind to reach out to her after Luk left. He admits to never having the courage. Peter asks if he feared rejection. Didier asks if he was ever in a relationship. He assures him there were relationships. When they return to the house, Sophie approaches to ask if something is wrong. Reminding them of Romee’s birthday, she informs them that Saskia is going to bring her down. They begin to sing her happy birthday when she arrives. Luk asks how she feels at 50. She jokingly says better. Lia asks if it would be okay for breakfast to be delayed. Romee assures her it is fine. Lia and Luk make out in front of the others.

Didier admits to Stef that he can’t handle it. Stef tells him that he has no other options. He assures him that he would understand if this was his way of avenging Sophie’s sexual assault. Entering the restroom, Didier pops his head back out to tell Stef,” The more important someone’s job is, bigger the chance that he is a psychopath.”

As Saskia stares at the scenery, a flashback of her and Stef at the pool pops up on the screen. Stef joins her. After talking a bit, she admits to being glad he came. He tells her that he is glad she came as well. She says no one can call her Sas except for him.

Didier joins Sofie as she takes a bath. He professes his love for her. She asks if they had fun. After he goes to bed, she views the video of her rape. She lays the phone down as the episode comes to an end.

 

Two Summers Review

The pace and unnecessary filler are at times unbearable. Almost the entire episode was dedicated to Stef and Peter. Their discussion took place in several locations but rarely added anything to the story. An editor must have a keen eye to deliver a high-quality film that tells a story flawlessly. What we see here is a show that wasn’t fine-tuned and drags on for what seems like forever.

The cinematography is no better than the editing. The camera angles weren’t taken seriously. Rarely do we get a direct shot of the target, such as the character’s face. Instead, we get lopsided shots that are at times disorienting. Additionally, there is too much space between the camera and the targets. Characters and other details are difficult to make out.

Sophie knowing about the video is a notable revelation. I question if this revelation should’ve been kept for a later episode. It may be too soon to make this judgement, but it could impact the outcome of the show. Is she behind the Bitcoin ransom?

The episode deserves a 6. Get more Two Summers recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.