The show begins with Luk Van Gael (Kevin Janssens) looking through a pair of binoculars from a dinghy. Onderzoeksrechter Salima Mitonga (Jennifer Heylen) asks what it was like the first time he watched the video. He claims to have suffered from a night of insomnia. He admits to wanting to revenge Jens when he found out.

2022 – Peter Van Gael (Tom Vermeir) tells Romee Tanesy (An Miller) that he willingly sacrificed his own dreams to ensure she achieved hers. He accuses her of wanting to give up everything, including him. She says it would be better if he made his own way. Snickering, he reminds her of how shy she was when they arrive in the United States. She sarcastically tells him that he was an independent man with goals. When she refuses to profess her love for him, he questions how they should go about it. She suggests they go their own way. He assures her that her success is contributed to his support. She reminds him of his never having a job. He warns her that he will not allow her to treat him unfairly. She offers to pay six months of rent for an apartment.

Stef Van Gompel (Koen De Bouw) is sitting along when Saskia Van Dessel (Ruth Becquart) approaches. She teases him about being mysterious. He assures her that isn’t his intention. She asks what scares him. He admits to having concerns about being let down. She suggests they agree to enjoy it. He agrees when Peter frantically calls his name. When they are alone, Peter voices his concerns about Romee telling the other women about the video. Didier Verpoorten (Herwig Ilegems) reminds him of what he said about her not saying anything. He says she is looking out for Sofie. Stef asks if he believes Romee should tell Sofie about something that took place 30 years ago. He suggests it would be best for him to “make her promise” to not say anything. As he hurries away, Stef’s pleas to not do it fall on deaf ears.

Lia Donkers (Sanne-Samina Hanssen) leads a yoga class. Saskia admits she feels guilty for enjoying a few days away from her son, Jens.  Sofie Geboers (Inge Paulussen) assures her it is normal to get tired of caring for children, even when you love them with all your heart. Lia asks Romee why she and Peter don’t have children. Romee says no one understands why someone doesn’t have children. When Romee leaves, Sofie informs Lia it was Peter’s choice for them to not have kids.

July 1992 –Saskia Van Dessel (Tine Roggeman) informs Peter Van Gael (Lukas Bulteel) that her period is late. He asks if she understands that they can’t keep the baby. Snickering, he says 20-year-old pregnant Saskia, “Who’ll be the life of the party.” He asks if she wants to give up her life of making the guys fall in love with her. He assures her it is nothing.

Saskia and Romee Tanesy (Marieke Anthoni) wait for her pregnancy test results. She stares at the pregnancy tests as the lines appear. Romee asks if she plans to keep the baby. Saskia repeats Peter’s comment about her being the life of the party at 20 and pregnant. She tells her that she refuses to destroy her entire life

Sofie admits to Mitonga that it was a difficult time but never regrets her decision.

2022 – Didier and Stef stare out at the Dinghy carrying Luk. They alert Luk of the dangerous current. Stef helps him bring the dinghy to the shore. Didier demands to know what he was doing in the water. He assures him that he wasn’t aware of the danger. Didier gets in his face and demands to know what he is up to. He orders him to remove his “stupid sunglasses.” He does as he asks. Stef suggests he tell them what he has in the dinghy. Didier picks up his binoculars. Stef asks what he was utilizing them for. Didier asks if he is blackmailing them before attacking him. Peter rushes down the hill to break it up. Screaming, Didier calls him a “traitor.” Luk tells them that he was birdwatching. He asks Peter what is going on.

Out of earshot, Stef assures Didier that the Tawny pipit is native to the island. He says after Romee divorces Peter, he will most likely be broke. Didier reminds him that Peter wasn’t aware of Romee decision to divorce him until they arrived on the island. Stef warns him to never underestimate Peter because he had to see the divorce coming. Didier informs him of Luk’s expensive school loans. Stef asks who would want to blackmail Peter. Didier suggests Peter may be the blackmailer. He accuses Peter of pretending to be rich when Romee is footing the bill.

Peter shows Luk Sofie’s sexual assault video. Luk demands he explain what happened. Peter assures him it isn’t what it looks like. He says they were all wasted on drugs and alcohol. Peter claims he never touched her. He warns him of what others will think of his story. Raising his voice, Peter blames his screwed-up life on what happened. He admits guilt for not stopping Mark from assaulting Sofie. Luk questions how his video ended up on his cellphone. He assures him that one of them is responsible. Peter asks why he would blackmail him. Sobbing, Luk tells him how he discovered Jens belonged to him after he and Lia couldn’t get pregnant. He says the hair from the wig matched Jens’ DNA. Nervously laughing, Peter promises he knew nothing about being Jens’ father.

Mitonga confronts Lia about Luk’s infertility. Lia tells her that Luk is everything to her and she would never leave him no matter how much it concerned him. Mitonga asks about Luk’s reaction when he found out. Lia claims he wanted revenge. She claims to have confronted Luk about his need for revenge.  She assures her that Luk only wants peak and harmony in his life.

Peter informs Didier and Stef that Jens is his son, not Luk’s. He suggests Saskia didn’t believe it was important enough to inform him. Admitting the video belongs to him, Luk denies being the blackmailer. Didier blames Lia for wanting to avenge him for having an affair with her. Confused, Stef questions what happened because they burnt the tape. Luk assures him that they burnt the wrong tape. He says he assumed the tape was him and Sasha.

In a flashback, Luk Van Gael (Tijmen Govaerts) walks away from his camera as Saskia displays on the screen. Within minutes, Sofie’s assault video appears on the screen. Luk shuts the screen without looking at the display and replaces the tape. He places the tape inside his wig.

Back to the present, Luk explains what happened. Stef asks Luk if Saskia is aware of Peter being Jens’ father. Stef assumes Lia is behind the video. Luk calls him an “a**hole” before walking away.

Mitonga asks Luk if Lia has seen the video. He admits to showing it to her later on. She asks if she watched the video from the camera screen. He tells her that he recorded the video on his cellphone and uploaded it to his computer. She suggests it could’ve been shared with anyone.

Stef asks to speak with Romee in private. He accuses her of being aware of everything that is happening.  She asks if he is afraid Sofie will find out about the video. He admits to feeling guilty about what happed to Sofie. She says no one wants to accept responsibility for it. He warns her that only the two of them will be harmed if the video gets out. He asks if she thinks divorcing Peter will keep her from being impacted. She sarcastically suggests Sofie has nothing to lose. He assures her that Sofie will be protected if the video remains a secret between them. He suggests she utilize her resources to find out who has the video on their cellphone.

Luk comforts Lia about Jens being Peter’s son. She denies telling anyone about it. He admits to telling Peter.

Sofie approaches while Romee is sealing a hole in the dingy. She asks her about her plan after her business is sold. Romee admits she regrets there is no one to share her money with.

July 1992 – Saskia tells Peter that her pregnancy test was negative. He breathes a sigh of relief. She pretends to be relieved as well.

Luk informs Stef Van Gompel (Vincent Van Sande) that he believes he is in love with Saskia.

Saskia talks about her past while watching Romee and Peter walk away holding hands. Didier Verpoorten (Bjarne Devolder) and Sofie Geboers (Louise Bergez) notice them as well.

2022 – Peter confronts Saskia about Jens. He accuses her of lying to everyone, including herself. She assures him that she was only trying to survive before apologizing. She reminds him that abortions were illegal in 1992. She tells him that she was aware that he never wanted the baby. She says if she confessed to him about the pregnancy, there would be no Jens.

Romee tells Mitonga that none of them could imagine how the weekend would go. She describes it as a “game”, and everyone lost their grip. She admits it is a burden that she will have for the rest of her life. The four women stand on the balcony, looking out at the ocean as the episode comes to an end.

 

Two Summers Review

A great episode, with minor flaws. The cinematography, editing, and camera work have never been flawless. However, the intriguing plot makes up for it. The cast does a fantastic job making their characters believable, even when they are distraught.

While watching the show, I feel tense for fear of what will happen next. I’m sure the finale will be predictable, but every new revelation catches me off-guard. I could literally watch the show forever as long as new content was added.

It is rare to feel empathy for a character in modern movies, as many are not worth a review. Tijmen Govaerts, An Miller, Kevin Janssens, Ruth Becquart, Tom Vermeir, and Herwig Ilegems’ performances are stupendous. Every member of the cast performs magnificently. I mention these actors because they seem to get the most airtime, which is a shame because all the actors are obviously skilled.

The episode deserves a 7. Get more Two Summers recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link to learn more.