Hi, merry!

I haven't watched the S2 premiere yet (which debuted in the US Sunday night), but expect to sometime in the coming days. I caught a couple moments of it while the episode was airing the other night, and what I saw looked good. Was surprised to see Emma Fielding in a mature-age role, as I recall her from so many years-past roles when she was a young or youngish beauty (Emma was born in 1964 [according to Wikipedia - though other sites differ], so is probably now nearing 60).

Howdy genplant! I guess I misunderstood the June, 2022 discussion here. Since people were talking about the series I wrongly presumed it resumed in June and this past Sunday's episode was a rerun from then. Guess not!!!

Yes, I should've mentioned Emma Fielding (Cranford) as one of the favorites who appeared. At first glance I thought she was Sarah Paulsen, who bears a resemblance, and figured she was going to turn out to be another gay character like Maimie McCoy's. Being set in Amsterdam there will likely be several, and indeed we saw a lesbian hookup in this season premier episode. I enjoyed Maimie as Siegfried's (Samuel West) love interest in Season 1 of All Creatures Great And Small . But he or she has moved on since then.

@genplant29 said:

Hi, merry!

I haven't watched the S2 premiere yet (which debuted in the US Sunday night), but expect to sometime in the coming days. I caught a couple moments of it while the episode was airing the other night, and what I saw looked good. Was surprised to see Emma Fielding in a mature-age role, as I recall her from so many years-past roles when she was a young or youngish beauty (Emma was born in 1964 [according to Wikipedia - though other sites differ], so is probably now nearing 60).

I found 3 different birth years for her: 1964, 1966, & 1970. Also, 2 different birthdays: July 10 & October 7. If you google her you can see all three right at the top of the page.

I'm shocked, SHOCKED that an actress' date of birth is ambiguous! On a related note, I've never quite understood why the expression is "a woman of a certain age" when the actual meaning connotes a woman of an UNcertain age. Ironically, one of the local PBS channels showed the first episode of Cranford this very evening and I always watch it when it's on (so many familiar faces in the show). That hilarious clique of biddies is TOO MUCH, but there was also Emma Fielding as the lovely, sympathetic town milliner.

Last month when I watched S2E1 "Plague on Amsterdam", I recognized one of the actors and I thought 'No way this is a coincidence. This person is the murderer.' Why? Because ... no spoilers, unless you remember S1E1 "Love in Amsterdam".

I recall who the murderer was in S1E1 and just discovered the connection you're alluding to W2W!

@merryapril said:

I recall who the murderer was in S1E1 and just discovered the connection you're alluding to W2W!

First of all, I have to get this off my chest: after paying more attention to Emma Fielding this time, the sadist who's given her that fugly, God-awful 1970s Dutch Boy hairdo deserves to be shot. Sheesh 😩

SPOILER ALERT FOR EP. 2

I continue to enjoy the show. The Amsterdam setting is lovely to look at. Some of the murder plots are implausible, kind of in the manner of Midsomer Murders, but with Euro-hipster casting. This appeals to me because I don't care for too much police procedural grittiness and realism. I mean, how realistic is it that a murder victim is neurotically sawn into 3 fairly-equal portions and delivered in the kinds of crates normally used to ship fragile art objects? It was a bit over-the-top even for edgy/anything-goes Amsterdam standards. That a love-struck (or gold-digging???) shrink turned out to be the murderer worked for me. He was one of the more normal-seeming characters in the episode, normal in a wily psychopathic way.

If anyone knows the backstory of the coffee house the cops use as a conference room, and its all-knowing barista, it would be of interest.

@merryapril said:

If anyone knows the backstory of the coffee house the cops use as a conference room

Restaurant - Café Scheltema (translation Dutch to English):

Welcome to Scheltema! Traditionally the go-to establishment for journalists in the capital. In days past, the Nieuwezijds was dominated by newspaper offices. Editors used to meet at Scheltema’s, their unofficial HQ. And you will still find wordsmiths here.

Running Scheltema is a family affair – in the late sixties the legendary Willem de Lange Sr. became landlord and he passed the baton to his son Wim Jr. and daughter Joke, the present proprietors. Granddaughters Wendy, Joan and Rosa are also on the staff. The dynasty’s patriarch passed away just prior to the cafe’s 110th anniversary, but is fondly remembered by all patrons. His portrait is up on the wall, near the bar.

Established in 1908, Scheltema was awarded the Jubilee Medal of the City of Amsterdam in December 2017. The rich cultural heritage is almost tangible. Scheltema: it’s in Amsterdam’s DNA.

... Excerpt (translation Dutch to English):

About Willem de Lange Sr.

Willem de Lange Sr. (1934-2017) was the landlord of journalists' café Scheltema in Amsterdam. When Juan Zapata's Another Forever was filmed in Holland, Scheltema was chosen as one of the locations and De Lange played himself. Café cat Antonio played himself as well, sitting on Daniela Escobar's lap. The feline quadruped didn't appear in the credits though.

In the early 1960s Willem de Lange became a waiter at Scheltema and took over the establishment in late 1967. De Lange handed over to his son Wim Jr. and daughter Joke who are the present proprietors, but even long after retirement he still dropped by every morning to cast his eye over the place.

De Lange was also owner of the gym he established above the bar. In addition, he was the masseur of famous soccer players like Johan Cruijff and the Scapino Ballet dancers. Also, he was attendant to the Dutch national men's field hockey team.

He served in the same capacity for the national soccer team in the 2000 European Championships. In the early 1970s he coached judoka Wim Ruska, who subsequently won two gold medals at the Munich Olympics.

Just prior to his 50 year anniversary as Scheltema's landlord, Willem de Lange passed away, aged 83.

Description :

Café Scheltema
On the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal is a unique café. Café Scheltema is 130 years old, which is evident as soon as you enter.

The walls are brown, the decor is dated and there is no music. But despite all, it has an exceptional atmosphere. For years this café has been the haunt of the crème de la crème of Dutch journalists. Other Amsterdam residents come here too, from blue collars to white collars, for a drink or a meal.

Other sources (not translated)

... Wikipedia

... Facebook - Cafe Scheltema

... Instagram - Cafe Scheltema

... In Memoriam Willem de Lange sr.

... Instagram - Willem de Lange (1934-2017)

@merryapril said:

and its all-knowing barista, it would be of interest.

From IMDb: Anita Franklin

Here she is on the Dutch TV police drama "Flikken Maastricht (2007-)"

Thank you W2W!!! So the cafe is real, and not a set. The history and photos of it are great - I appreciate the links. It looks to be a very warm and inviting place, deserving of its veneration. I'm wondering though about the fictitious barista in the series, a black man - correct? He seems to come up with some pithy and useful data now and then. And there's another elderly black man who perpetually hangs out at the cafe. Maybe I'm confused and he's the all-knowing one. If any explanations about them were offered in Season 1 I must've missed it or forgot.

@merryapril said:

I'm wondering though about the fictitious barista in the series, a black man - correct? He seems to come up with some pithy and useful data now and then. And there's another elderly black man who perpetually hangs out at the cafe. Maybe I'm confused and he's the all-knowing one. If any explanations about them were offered in Season 1 I must've missed it or forgot.

The barista (Café owner) in all 6 episodes is Cliff Palache, played by Mike Libanon.

There is a homeless elderly man called Frank in 5 episodes. He is played by Peter van Heeringen .

Ah, okay, thanks! I saw the black actor's name in the credits on IMDB and PBS but there wasn't any info or photos about his portrayal as the barista. His profile pic on this site looks more like the character he portrays in Van der Valk, unlike the IMDB pic, which confused me.

@merryapril said:

Ah, okay, thanks! I saw the black actor's name in the credits on IMDB and PBS but there wasn't any info or photos about his portrayal as the barista. His profile pic on this site looks more like the character he portrays in Van der Valk, unlike the IMDB pic, which confused me.

Yes, the IMDb photo was from the science-fiction movie "Kill Switch (2017)".

Here are some other pictures:

📷 Twitter - 1 - Mike Libanon (Cliff)

📷 S1E3 "Death in Amsterdam" - Peter van Heeringen (Frank), Elliot Barnes-Worrell (Job), Mike Libanon (Cliff)

Thank you SO much W2W. I've been poring over the links you've provided. Apparently the storied Cafe Scheltema has played a role in other productions, and as a real-life hangout for journalists, perhaps its real-life owner is also "in the know", inspiring the fictional one. The food and beverages look great!!!

I suppose the season finale could be considered a wishful, fantasy-like resolution to what is certainly its inspiration, the Jeffrey Epstein case, with a damaged soul of a victim getting sweet revenge, and various VIPs being apprehended and hauled off to finally face justice for their perverse predilections. Didn't you just KNOW the police chief was one of them?!?!?! Alas, in real life the Epstein client list is being safeguarded by the state. The only VIP to face retribution is Prince Andrew, and that was the money kind (plus a heap of public humiliation) but no jail time. Almost all others remain anonymous...

I wish Adrian Schiller, who portrayed the Epstein-like role of Bodecker, would've gotten a lot more screen time. That face and voice are so compelling!