The Worst Episodes of Van der Valk
Every episode of Van der Valk ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Van der Valk!
Van der Valk is a British television series that was produced by Thames Television for the ITV network. It starred Barry Foster in the title role as Dutch detective Commissaris "Piet" van der Valk. Based on the characters and atmosphere of the novels of Nicolas Freeling, the first series was shown in 1972.
Lowest Rated Episodes Summary
The worst episode of "Van der Valk" is "Destroying Angel", rated 6.5/10 from 49 user votes. It was directed by Graham Evans and written by Michael Chapman. "Destroying Angel" aired on 9/20/1972 and is rated 0.0 point(s) lower than the second lowest rated, "Elected Silence".
6.5/10 49 votes#1 - Destroying Angel
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/20/1972
A man is found dead in his room above a sleazy bar and brothel. Van der Valk is called in when the examining doctor suspects poisoning. Immediately sensing there is more to the case than meets the eye, he uncovers a complicated web involving drug dealing and the grubbier end of Amsterdam's S & M industry. Ultimately though, he finds the motive for the man's murder may lay elsewhere and that ""Destroying Angel"" is definitely involved; but who, or what, is that?
Director: Graham Evans
Writer: Michael Chapman
- 6.5/10 43 votes
#2 - Elected Silence
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/4/1972
Officers investigating a hearse abandoned near the Royal Palace make a bizarre discovery which appears to be a threat against Paul Harkemer, well known editor of a right wing magazine, and/or his 19 year old daughter. At first it appears that it may be nothing more than a publicity stunt for the left wing rock band Emerald Scorpion, and Harkemer himself seems totally unconcerned. The case seems to over before it started, but then the police receive a cassette tape from someone claiming to be the kidnapper of Harkemer's daughter.
Director: Douglas Camfield
Writer: Geoffrey Gilbert
- 6.5/10 43 votes
#3 - A Sudden Silence
Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 1/30/1991
No description available
Director: Herbert Wise
Writer: Keith Dewhurst
- 6.5/10 35 votes
#4 - The Little Rascals
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 2/6/1991
No description available
Director: Alan Cooke
Writer: Peter Buckman
- 6.7/10 32 votes
#5 - Man of Iron
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 10/3/1977
No description available
Director: William Brayne
Writer: Michael Chapman
- 6.7/10 37 votes
#6 - Gold Plated Delinquents
Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 11/14/1977
Two teenagers from privileged backgrounds are suspected of burglary.
Director: Tom Clegg
Writer: Roger Marshall
- 6.8/10 62 votes
#7 - One Herring's Not Enough
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/13/1972
When a man confesses to the double murder of his wife and her lover it seems an open and shut case; but as one part after another of the man's story doesn't check out, van der Valk realizes he is dealing with something far more complicated.
Director: Dennis Vance
Writer: Michael Chapman
- 6.9/10 33 votes
#8 - Accidental
Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 9/12/1977
An international scandal over charges of corruption in high places. The Chief Inspector disappears, but has he sold out?
Director: Tom Clegg
Writer: Ted Childs
- 7.1/10 39 votes
#9 - Thicker Than Water
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/11/1972
A body dredged up from a canal is tentatively identified as the son of a British MP, but when she views the body she says it is not her son. Van der Valk refuses to believe this and calls on his British colleagues to help prove the boy's identity. The boy's face is well known in Amsterdam's transvestite and transexual scene and van der Valk's inquiries there lead him deeper and deeper into a dark world of sexual depravity and exploitation involving some of the most prominent public figures in Europe. Samson of course desperately advises him to proceed with extreme caution. In the face of the mother's refusal to co-operate van der Valk finds his best hope is to look elsewhere in the family for help.
Director: David Wickes
Writer: Geoffrey Gilbert
- 7.1/10 37 votes
#10 - Season for Love
Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 9/26/1973
A visiting American fears for the safety of her lover who has gone missing.
Director: Mike Vardy
Writer: Philip Broadley
- 7.1/10 30 votes
#11 - Dead on Arrival
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 10/24/1977
No description available
Director: Ted Childs
Writer: Patrick O'Brian
- 7.1/10 39 votes
#12 - Dangerous Games
Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 1/23/1991
No description available
Director: Jim Goddard
Writer: Don Shaw
- 7.1/10 35 votes
#13 - The Ties That Bind
Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 2/5/1992
No description available
Director: Anthony Simmons
Writer: Kenneth Ware
- 7.2/10 47 votes
#14 - Blue Notes
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 9/27/1972
When Jan Servaas, a world famous Dutch violinist, makes a rare concert appearance in his home country it is an eagerly awaited event. In the weeks leading up to the concert van der Valk receives a series of mysterious notes, written on blue paper, warning that Servaas will be ""executed"" if he comes to Amsterdam. Van der Valk ignores Kroon's pleas to have the concert canceled until the case is solved, perhaps in part because he and Arlette have tickets and are looking forward to it! It is a decision that will have tragic consequences as a drama which began with betrayal in wartime Limburg plays out to a fatal conclusion in 1970s Amsterdam.
Director: Marc Miller
Writer: Geoffrey Gilbert
- 7.2/10 33 votes
#15 - The Runt
Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 9/19/1977
A likeable rogue, a small time thief and con-man, for whom Van der Valk develops a grudging affection. But the thief suddenly becomes wealthy and also seems to be connected with an important family. The pressures are on Van der Valk to find out why, but without embarrassing too many people.
Director: Mike Vardy
Writer: Leslie Sands
- 7.2/10 28 votes
#16 - Face Value
Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 10/17/1977
Van der Valk looks into possible art forgery when a painter is found dead.
Director: Mike Vardy
Writer: Robert Wales
- 7.3/10 34 votes
#17 - Rich Man, Poor Man
Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 10/3/1973
No description available
Director: Douglas Camfield
Writer: David Butler
- 7.3/10 31 votes
#18 - Diane
Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 11/21/1977
No description available
Director: Mike Vardy
Writer: Philip Broadley
- 7.3/10 25 votes
#19 - Proof of Life
Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 2/12/1992
No description available
Director: Tom Clegg
Writer: Keith Dewhurst
- 7.4/10 34 votes
#20 - A Dangerous Point of View
Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 9/19/1973
A private detective is stabbed to death.
Director: Jim Goddard
Writer: Jeremy Paul
- 7.5/10 38 votes
#21 - The Adventurer
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/18/1972
Why would German Wolf Gebhadrt decide, in middle age, to take up an apprenticeship in stonemasonry in Amsterdam? Why would a man killed in a car accident be carrying a newspaper cutting with a photo of Gebhardt? Van der Valk senses that Gebhardt is in danger and even attempts to have him taken into protective custody when he refuses to co-operate with inquiries. Short on options, van der Valk makes a fatal misjudgement before he finally unravels this complex and frustrating case.
Director: Peter Duguid
Writer: Michael Chapman
- 7.5/10 32 votes
#22 - The Rainbow Ends Here
Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 10/10/1973
A search for a missing teenager finds her tycoon brother unwilling to help.
Director: Graham Evans
Writer: Philip Broadley
- 7.5/10 40 votes
#23 - Enemy
Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 9/5/1977
Van der Valk and Arlette are subjected to threats on their lives. Who is the hidden enemy?
Director: Mike Vardy
Writer: Paul Wheeler
- 7.5/10 31 votes
#24 - The Professor
Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 10/31/1977
No description available
Director: Ted Childs
Writer: Roger Marshall
- 7.5/10 51 votes
#25 - Doctor Hoffmann's Children
Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 1/16/1991
No description available
Director: Anthony Simmons
Writer: Jonathan Hales