Meisie van Suid Wes

Arnold's first part when he was only 20!

Episode 1:

The story is about Linda, a young woman whose family gets killed in a farm murder. Willem - a rich guy of German descendance with a shaky reputation - is in love with her and tries to win her heart. But the girl is sent away to South Africa to recover and there on vacation falls in love with Jakkie.

 

 

 

Episode rating:

I did not understand everything. The story evolved interestingly and dramatically, however I felt those scenes with the young people on holiday were a bit long and boring.

Rating for Arnold:

That was a promising start and good acting considered it was his first TV part.

 

Episode 2:

Willems mother has invited the daughter of some German count in the hope her son will fall in love with her and the family can move back to Germany. But Willem still tries to convince Linda with charm and diamonds, so a friend of Jakkie decides it is time to get rid of the unwanted suitor in filling him with alcohol and dumping him in a train. Meanwhile, the police are on the heels of Willem's shady business partners and he can't get rid of them.

Episode rating:

The pace was ok this time. Willem's mother with her "German count" was an awful cliché from a cheap novel, though.

Rating for Arnold:

In a few scenes, he seemed a bit too detached, would've loved a bit more dramatic involvement. (But that goes even more for the other cast). The scene where Linda gives him back his present is really touching.

 

Episode 3:

Linda is diagnosed with cancer and not sure if she is willing to risk an operation. Jakkie confronts his parents and says he's going to marry Linda and his father tries to dissuade him (having himself an affair with his secretary). Finally, Linda decides to go back to Suidwes to her farm without even saying Goodbye to Jakkie. Willem gives the count's daugher Madeleine the diamond present he had given Linda before.

 

 

 

 

Episode rating:

There's too much stuff packed into this little series, as each episode only runs for 30 minutes. It would have been better to concentrate on two themes. We already have a farm murder and a love triangle and smugglers. Now cancer and outside-marriage affairs (the rest seems a bit forgotten). Besides, why is Linda always dressed like in the 1900s? Seems strange.

Rating for Arnold:

He only shows up shortly in this one, so no rating possible.

 

Episode 4:

Linda tries to kill herself, but is rescued by her uncle (or grandpa?) who informs Jakkie, who hits the road with his bike to get to her and comfort her. Willem flirts with Madeleine and says he'd come with her to Germany, however she has obviously a dark secret. So Willem tries it again with Linda who dumps him.

Episode rating:

This was a sad one! And a lot of dysfunctional families, where no one wants to talk about her/his problems: Jakkies father/mother don't talk, Linda does not talk to anyone, Madeleine does not talk...

Rating for Arnold:

Funny scene (despite not intentionally) during breakfast when he almost chokes. Very sad scene in the end, where Linda dumps him finally. Good acting!

 

 

Episode 5:

Jakkie is in Lindas hometown, but she refuses to see him and tells his father, who phones and promises to help her, he would not want to see her and she's back with Willem. Willem's unnerving mom is pestering him to get together with Madeleine, who, in the meantime, tries to make a pass on Jakkie while she takes him on a wilderness trip (to show him, where Linda lives, but of course, they loose their way).

Episode rating:

This is one soap opera...! I can't really follow Linda who constantly refuses to see Jakkie and talk to him and uses Willem as some sort of scapegoat.

Rating for Arnold:

 

Episode 6:

Jakkie and Madeleine are still lost in the desert. Willem's mom sends him out to search for her. As she does not want to call the police she clearly knows more than she admits. Jakkies mom finally catches her husband with his secretary and tries to commit suicide, however is saved. Willem hangs out with his smuggler pals and they are about to plan a thing. Meanwhile Jakkie and Madeleine find their way back to Willem's mom resulting in a little fight between Jakkie and Willem when they stumble across each other. Jakkie meets Linda, but she still refuses to talk to him.

Episode rating:

The problems from the first episode are back: farm murders and smugglers. Some soap opera again with Jakkies parents. Emotional investment (acting skills/writing skills?) is still lacking.

Rating for Arnold:

Emotional reactions, by him at least. Nice jealous-boys fight with Jakkie. I'm wondering also, if this bike was his own? Probably...

 

 

 

Episode 7:

Willem makes one last attempt to get Linda and confesses his love for her, but she refuses. Jakkie and Madeleine get closer and she tells him, her ex-boyfriend in Germany has been involved with the terrorist R.A.F and she is suspected, too and on the run. Linda finally meets Jakkie again and Willem decides that his rival has to vanish. So, he sets Madeleine up to follow Jakkie, and with the help of his two gangster friends, lets them both kidnap. Meanwhile, Jakkies father has still not heard from his son and sends his two friends from the University after him to bring him home. Willem sends a guy on illegal prospecting to get independent from his mother.

Episode rating:

It's getting somewhere... but sadly it is already episode 7 out of 9. Still, the female characters are somewhat weak and constantly refuse to speak. The story with the search for Jakkie is a bit contrived, too. But all in all, good entertainment (and I highly praise that Linda did NOT watch Jakkie and Madeleine hugging each other, what would be common theme in american soap operas)

Rating for Arnold:

This was good! Well portrayed journey down into further desperation and to the 'dark side' because of unfulfilled love. (And keep in mind, he was only 20 then. Awesome in this episode)

 

 

 

Episode 8:

Willem makes marriage plans for him and Linda (who is not interested the slightest, of course). Jakkie's friends arrive in Suidwes, connect with Linda and confront Willem, who violently denies knowing anything. In the meantime, the kidnapped Jakkie and Madeleine are under way in a boat and try to free themselves. Willem and his mother get in an argument and she announces cutting him off from all money if he is behind the scheme. Now he hears for the first time that Linda is in the hospital and might die. Jakkie's friends get the bad news from Lindas uncle. Jakkie's friend Smiley sticks on Willem's heels because he's sure he knows what happened to Jakkie. Finally, Jakkie manages to overpower his kidnappers.

Episode rating:

The story was more focused and more emotion in the play. However, that R.A.F. background story was quite simplistic. Willem's unnerving mother who treats her son like a five-year-old, looks out of time in her clothes and behavior, just as Linda.

Rating for Arnold:

Another good one, as his character is slowly cornered and feels remorse now confronted with Lindas supposed death.Somehow, he's the only interesting character.

 

 

 

Episode 9:

Jakkie and Madeleine flee the kidnappers boat in a rubber dinghy without knowing where they are (but later luckily get back right to the town where Willem's mother lives ...) Willem is more and more concerned as his plans take the wrong direction and the kidnappers don't answer the radio anymore. His mother confronts him, but he refuses to say anything - nonetheless everyone is sure he is behind the things. Next day, Smiley rides after him with his bike, but has an accident and Willem just leaves him to get drunk in a bar and later has an accident himself. Jakkies mother is okay again, but now leaves her husband and drives to Suidwes as well to search for her son. Her husband soon sets after her in order to save his marriage. Finally, Jakkie is reunited with his parents and he marries Linda and Willem also gets what he deserves.

Episode rating:

This was bad. Why do Jakkie and Madeleine leave in a dinghy instead of staying on the kidnappers boat and inform the police? Serious plothole. At least a happy end was waiting (however I did not get, if Linde still has to die).

Rating for Arnold:

Well played how the character more and more loses his nerves, convincing scene in the bar. Despite everything, one cannot help but feeling sorry for him, as his mom says "I'll take care of you"...

 

 

1922

Series about the strike of the miners in Johannesburg in 1922