The Out-Laws (Clan) is MUST-SEE TV
The Out-Laws (known as clan in it’s native country of Belgium) has been on of the best things I have watched on TV this year. It’s funny, dark, twisted and overall refreshing. An extremely strong cast kept me glued to the screen the entire time.
What’s It All About?
Five sisters all share a very close bond. One of the sisters, Goedele, is married to an obnoxious man named Jean-Claude (nicknamed ‘The Prick’ by the sisters) and the other four make a pact to to murder their brother-in-law on New Years Eve after an evening of insults from him. Each sister has her own reasons for hating Jean-Claude and the more we get to know him the more we despise him too.
The show begins at the funeral of Jean-Claude in the present day. The story switches between flashbacks showing the sisters planning and attempting to murder him. The present day has its own problems as two brothers from an insurance brokers investigate Jean-Claude’s death to try and save their own business and avoid a huge payout.
My Opinion
This has to be one of the best and most original shows I have seen this year. Each of the ten episodes are completely engaging and addictive. The best thing about this series is that there are no signs of padding or filler episodes as each one is just as important and gripping as the last, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
The shows use of dark comedy is a such a breath of fresh air in using a stylish approach with flawless execution. Watching the sisters plot a murder is great entertainment in itself, but how Jean-Claude manages to to seemingly allude death is even better. The more we learn about Jean-Claude the more we want the sisters to accomplish their task and the more indestructible Jean-Claude seems to be, with luck being the only person on his side.
The flashbacks quickly help us understand why the sisters wish to murder this extremely unlikable character. He spends his time making malicious phone-calls, attempting to control, bully and manipulate his wife, spreading rumors at work, the list to go on and on. The more we learn about Jean-Claude, the more we hate him.
Meanwhile in the present, the investigation into the murder by two shady insurance brokers keeps the sisters on edge. Mathias, one of the insurance brokers, falls for one of the sisters, Bekka which complicates matters for both of them. The brokers question each of the sisters, interrogating and intimidating them in a desperate attempt to uncover something about the death.
As the series roles on the pair of brokers become more desperate as the sisters struggle to hold their nerve against the ongoing pressure of the situation. The flashbacks also build very nicely as we learn more and more about the sisters and the secrets that each one has. This simple situation quickly becomes more complicated as the show progresses.
The upbeat and joyful nature in which the show is presented makes this very refreshing and essential viewing. The cinematography uses a great mixture of close-ups and wide shots and is presented with an excellent us of vibrant colors on-screen. Visually this is very attractive which only adds to the viewing pleasure. The opening credits alone is enough to draw you in to the show. An excellent soundtrack accompanies the show and compliments it very well.
Malin-Sarah Gozin, the creator of The Out-Laws (Clan) has managed to capture something fantastic. He perfected the art of dark-comedy, giving us bagfuls of wit from the darkest corners of life. Just as comical as the sisters attempt to bump off their brother-in-law, so is his cat-like ability to avoid death, making it all the more infuriating by his obliviousness to the acts in hand.
As well as the main story we are also treated to some excellent sub-plots, including a very interesting one with Jean-Claude’s mother, a plot to do with a promotion at Eva and Jean-Claude’s workplace being two that particularly stood out.
What also makes this show Must-See TV is the extremely strong cast involved. There is not a bad performance! Each actor goes above and beyond giving some very pleasing performances that make it easy to immerse yourself into the world of The Out-Laws.
Notable Performances
Dirk Roofthooft played Jean-Claude “De Kloot” Delcorps. Dirk looked like he was having a great time in this role. He did an excellent job of playing the character you loved to hate. His performance was the best of the bunch as he really looked to be having a lot of fun. All the prank phone calls were hilarious as was his constant snooping and nosing around. The more the character survived the more we hated him, and the more we began to love hating him.
Maaike Neuville played Rebekka “Bekka” Goethals, the youngest of the sisters. Bekka is the wild-child of the bunch with a endless list of boyfriends. He relationship with Mathias makes the story more complicated and Maaike does very well. I thought she managed to play the character with ease and also put in some scene stealing performances.
Ruth Becquart played Birgit “Bibi” Goethals. Bibi is the most volatile of the sisters and also one of the most entertaining. The eye-patch wearing former cross-bow champion is the driving force behind the murder plot. Ruth gave us another brilliant performance, and the question of how she got the patch is another great sub-plot. I really enjoyed this character and Ruth was yet another reason to keep me glued to the screen.
Kristin Van Pellicom played Veerle Goethals. Veerle is leading two lives as she attempts to raise a family with her husband, while creeping around behind his back with her lover. She is unwilling to leave either and struggling to balance her life. Kristin gives us an outstanding performance. She is extremely believable as her conflicted character. At times Kristin effortlessly steals the scenes.
Barbara Sarafian played Eva Goethals, the oldest sister. Eva was the eldest of the sisters and the head of the family. Barabara gives us a very calm and calculated approach to the character looking in control at all times, when she does let her guard down she gives us a very compelling character and offers a new level of depth. She has a great sub-plot around her workplace and love-life which plays out through the series.
Inge Paulussen played Goedele “Goele” Goethals the long-suffering wife of Jean-Claude. Inge gives another star turn. Her modest character desperate for a life of her own is brought to life with fantastic realism. Inge shines as Goele and is perfect for the role. Inge was given some of the most humorous scenes and best lines which she delivered with expert precision.
Geert Van Rampelberg played Mathias Dewitt. Mathias was the more interesting of the Dewitt brothers. His relationship with Bekka really allowed us to see a lot more of the character and find out about him. Mathias always kept us unbalanced between wanting to like him and wanting to hate him as his character seemed to struggle to juggle between his loyalties. Geert managed to do a great job keeping us on the edge of our seat.
Robbie Cleiren played Thomas Dewitt. Thomas was the more despicable of the two brothers. Thomas was the least developed, although we had enough to keep us interested in the character. Out of the two brothers Thomas was the more unlikable, pressuring Mathais to interrogate the sisters. Robbie give us another solid performance.
The Verdict
I highly recommend The Out-Laws (Clan) to anyone and everyone. This quirky comedy is one of the best things to appear on TV in 2016, completely unmissable from start to finish. Each episode just as watchable and addictive as the last. This dark nature of the show is a breath of fresh air from what we are normally served up. I suggest anyone who did not get the chance to see this on TV go out and buy the DVD. This is a show not to be missed!
Is it better than the remake “Bad Sisters”?