top of page

Review of Going Dutch Season 1, Episode 4: "Korfball"

Writer's picture: RachelRachel

Going Dutch Episode 4, titled Korfball, is a hilarious and unexpectedly heartfelt dive into the absurdity of both sports and cultural clashes. In this episode, the Americans are challenged by the Dutch to a game of Korfball, a bizarre sport that’s like basketball—but without all the things that make basketball fun: no jumping, no dribbling, no dunking. It’s a sport that leaves you scratching your head, and honestly, watching the characters navigate it is a mix of comedy gold and real character exploration.


From the get-go, the episode is packed with the show's signature over-the-top humor. The rivalry between Colonel Patrick Quinn and Jan, the smug Dutchman, takes center stage, but what’s fascinating is how much of this is driven by Quinn’s own insecurity. The Colonel might act like a tough, take-no-prisoners leader, but his overblown patriotism and relentless push to win at all costs reveal a man desperate to prove something. The hilarious back-and-forth between Quinn and Jan is a standout, but underneath it all, it’s clear that Quinn’s ego is a big part of the problem.





Watching Quinn try to get his team to learn Korfball in a few days was pure comedy—seriously, how could anyone be expected to master such a bizarre game that quickly? The scenes where the soldiers go through ridiculous drills, trying to understand a sport they’ve never seen before, were both funny and relatable. The show does a great job balancing the absurdity of it all with genuine moments of frustration and growth for the characters. There’s a lot of humor in the “America vs. the World” theme, but it also feels like the characters are learning something real about themselves along the way.


Personally, I loved the character moments in this episode, especially the ones involving Captain Maggie and the Rocket (who’s still clinging to his high school basketball glory days). Quinn’s harsh treatment of his team brings out some real vulnerability in Rocket, who struggles with living up to the expectations of being the “best” player. It’s a surprisingly deep moment amid all the chaos. I also appreciated how the episode used the game to highlight the odd but touching relationships between the team members, especially the tension between Quinn and his soldiers.


I also found myself surprisingly invested in the subplot of Maggie trying to step out from the shadow of her father. The emotional stakes here aren’t about winning the game but about how the game brings out different sides of the characters. Maggie’s inner conflict, as she tries to motivate her team while also grappling with her own ego and familial pressure, added a layer of complexity that I wasn’t expecting from a show that’s so absurd on the surface.


While the whole Korfball thing is a pretty ridiculous setup, I actually think it was a brilliant way to explore the characters’ flaws and egos. It felt like a metaphor for how people—especially the ones in charge—can get so wrapped up in competition and “winning” that they forget the human side of things. By the end, when the Colonel’s forced to take a step back and question his methods, it felt like a real, if subtle, turning point for his character. Even if he doesn’t completely change, the episode offers just enough growth to keep things interesting.



GOING DUTCH: L-R: Denis Leary and Dempsey Bryk in the GOING DUTCH "Korfball" episode airing Thursday, Jan. 23 (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.CR: Lorraine O’Sullivan. ©2025 FOX Media LLC.
GOING DUTCH: L-R: Denis Leary and Dempsey Bryk in the GOING DUTCH "Korfball" episode airing Thursday, Jan. 23 (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.CR: Lorraine O’Sullivan. ©2025 FOX Media LLC.


The humor in the episode is sharp, especially with all the digs at American exceptionalism, and the way it pokes fun at the cultural differences between the Dutch and Americans was great. There’s a lot of playful mockery of patriotism, but it’s done in a way that feels lighthearted rather than mean-spirited.


What struck me the most, though, was the emotional payoff—particularly in the moment where Quinn has to reckon with his own inflated ego and the consequences of his actions. The absurd Korfball match is really just the backdrop for these more meaningful character revelations, and I found that surprisingly satisfying. The ending, with Quinn admitting his faults (in his own way, of course), had a nice touch of redemption to it, despite all the chaos leading up to it.





As for the sport of Korfball itself—well, it’s ridiculous. But watching the characters grapple with it in their typical exaggerated, over-the-top way was a lot of fun. This episode really nailed the balance between comedy and character growth, making it a standout in the season.


Overall, Korfball is a great episode that combines sharp humor, a little bit of satire, and some surprisingly deep moments of character development. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, and while it’s about a weird sport, at its heart, it’s about people trying to navigate their own egos and relationships. I didn’t expect the show to get so emotionally complex, but this episode definitely left me reflecting on how competition, identity, and pride shape people, even in the most absurd situations.



What did you think?

  • Loved it

  • Hated it

  • So/So


Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating