sat 05/10/2024

The Swingers, Channel 4 | reviews, news & interviews

The Swingers, Channel 4

The Swingers, Channel 4

In Dutch it was called 'The Neighbours'. Does the translated title deliver?

The Swingers is cast from the hot end of Dutch Equity

Can something be gained in translation? From its title The Swingers promises much. Much more than the original Dutch title Nieuwe Buren, which the caption in the opening credit sequence translates as The Neighbours. Someone in syndication has asked themselves the question: who the hell watches Dutch TV dramas called The Neighbours (aside from captive Dutch audiences)?

And made the decision to pep things up for the international audience.

It’s a bold change. Will the show come good on the promise of what in the patriarchal 1970s they used to call wife-swapping? Channel 4 is positioning it as Fatal Attraction in Dutch suburbia. The eponymous swingers introduced in the first episode hail from the scorching end of Dutch Equity, a bunch of talking catalogue models with all the right ripples and tresses. The setting is a housing estate on the outskirts of Amsterdam, ones with tall wide windows like in all those Nordic dramas where everyone knows everyone else’s business. The newbies planning to move in are rock journo Peter and heavily pregnant Eva. Eva is super-gorgeous but Peter can’t help casting an eye across the way to hot exercise coach Rebecca while her lissom detective husband Steef is sending looks back in the other direction (Rebecca and Steef pictured below)The SwingersThey haven’t met yet, but we know from the creepy opening sequence that they will fall out. A man in a clown outfit is walking Rebecca and Steef’s little daughter through the woods, only to discover blood slithering down the French windowpanes. Who the blood donor is anyone's guess. Early hopes rest on stubbly Steef, a corrupt policemen covertly profiteering from drug busts and generally throwing his weight about on a fast throaty motorbike.

In other news, Eva’s waters break as she’s teaching her adorable reception class, and her daughter is born (rather graphically) 10 weeks early, and doesn’t make it to the end of the episode. Eva can’t expect much love and support from her dour, devout parents, while Peter the rock journo has jealous rage issues, plus he’s not quite as good-looking as Steef, so there’s one volcanic eruption in waiting. The other neighbours include an obsessive old peeping tom called Jasper. He's a fish out of water in Rebecca’s al fresco fitness classes, who works as an accountant at home while looking after his invalided wife.

How gripping is all this? So far, not very. The characters have been scrupulously supplied with a kind of chemistry set of potentially explosive issues. But the fact that the main quartet are so absurdly easy on the eye underpins the feeling that it’s all a bit superficial. The ensuing episodes will no doubt deliver on the plot spoiler embedded in its English-language title. There are nine of them, all available to binge-view on All4. As things stand, the English title looks like a case of mis-selling.

@JasperRees

The characters have been scrupulously supplied with a kind of chemistry set of potentially explosive issues

rating

Editor Rating: 
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)

Share this article

Comments

Some corrections: First, the Dutch title (Nieuwe Buren) actually translates as "New Neighbours"; second, there are 10 episodes, not 9; and third, Rebecca & Steef have a son not a daughter! We started watching on catch-up yesterday and have only 3 left. It's very much a play on emotions with a comedic touch from pervert Jasper and wife Lily. My husband is Dutch and having lived in Amsterdam for many years, we love watching things filmed there. It's rivettign stuff and even though you can sort of guess the ending, we can't wait to see the last 3 episodes and find out who the clown is.

Thanks for your comment. By nine episodes I meant nine more. I was going with the caption in the title sequence which translates the Dutch title as The Neighbours. As for the gender of the child, you got me there. I guess I wasn't very engaged but I'm glad to hear that you are.

Spot on Jasper. The "Holllyoaks" production values meant my disbelief, already hanging by a thread, failed to stay suspended for more than a few minutes. I didn't even make it to the end of episode one. Comforting to see that the Dutch can make bad TV too, mind.

dont normally enjoy subtitled programs. but this was very entertaining from start to finish

At first it was really great but to the third series I found it unrealistic and pathetic that Eva hasn't been found out considering her past. In any Normal country she would never have Roojse and I find it getting so silly that she is able to get custody considering she if police checked had 2 major events involving parents. I'm sorry any average detective would see she is dangerous. So the story then becomes nonsensical and I lost interest. Eva is a scumbag and seeing her get away with things is unrealistic annoying and a really stupid storyline so am done with it.

Add comment

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters