Denis Leary stars as Colonel Quinn in Going Dutch, a new Fox comedy about a tough-as-nails military man who's stuck overseeing a laid-back, dysfunctional U.S. Army base in the Netherlands. But does the show manage to land a solid punch, or does it miss the mark?
The premiere episode starts off with Quinn expecting to be promoted to commander of a combat base in Germany. His ego gets deflated when he learns he’s been assigned to Stroopsdorf, a base so insignificant it’s dubbed “the least important U.S. Army base in the world.” This demotion, orchestrated by his superior General (Joe Morton), is a punishment for past badmouthing. Quinn is ready to turn the base into a well-oiled military machine, but instead, he’s confronted with a group of soldiers who are more interested in bowling, arcade games, and cheese than any form of combat readiness. The base is a mix of lax morale and fun distractions—a far cry from the disciplined environment Quinn craves.
But here's the twist: when Quinn arrives, he’s greeted by the base’s commanding officer—his daughter, Maggie (played by Taylor Misiak). It’s a hilarious, but also emotional, dynamic, with Quinn quickly realizing that Maggie’s approach to leadership is worlds apart from his own. While Quinn demands discipline and order, Maggie encourages fun and camaraderie, even hosting silent disco parties for the soldiers. Their father-daughter relationship is strained, adding a layer of tension that propels much of the episode’s humor. Quinn’s refusal to attend family therapy and his harsh, narcissistic attitude clash with Maggie’s more empathetic, people-first philosophy. It’s a dynamic that felt real and relatable, as Quinn is forced to confront his own flaws—though begrudgingly.
Personally, I found the humor in this dynamic to be one of the episode's strongest points. The comedy comes from a mix of Quinn’s over-the-top reactions and Maggie’s calm, collected demeanor. At first, their relationship felt a little one-dimensional, with Quinn coming off as the gruff, disconnected father, but by the end of the episode, it evolved into something more nuanced. The scene where Quinn tearfully admits his connection to Maggie—although he tries to mask it with his tough exterior—was surprisingly heartfelt. I wasn’t expecting the emotional depth this early in the show, but it worked in a way that added authenticity to the comedy.
In terms of laughs, there were plenty of moments that felt a little predictable, especially with Quinn’s attempts to “shape up” the soldiers. The obstacle course scene, where one soldier blames his lack of physical prowess on “gout due to a weakness for rich foods,” was a funny but obvious gag. The humor tends to lean on slapstick and exaggerated situations, which may not be for everyone. But even in these moments, there’s an undercurrent of character development that kept me interested.
One of the funniest, and maybe most uncomfortable, scenes was Quinn’s disastrous speech at the tulip festival. His expectations for a serious, military-style presentation completely fall apart when the soldiers show up dressed as bowling pins, parading around with wheels of cheese. The fact that Quinn can’t keep his cool and ends up ranting about drug legalization and Anne Frank had me cringing and laughing in equal measure. It’s moments like these that make Quinn’s character so compelling—his inability to adapt to anything outside his rigid worldview is a source of both humor and conflict.
While Going Dutch has its share of predictable moments, the central family dynamic between Quinn and Maggie gives it a heart that many sitcoms lack. The episode ends on a hopeful note with Quinn deciding to work together with Maggie to improve the base, and even having the soldiers practice shooting bowling pins with military rifles—taking a lighthearted approach to discipline. It’s this combination of absurdity and heartfelt family moments that could make this show an enjoyable watch as it progresses.
As for my personal take, I found the show’s blend of humor and emotional depth to be surprisingly effective. It doesn’t reinvent the military comedy genre, but it does offer something a little fresher with its focus on family and personal growth. Denis Leary brings his trademark gruffness to the role, but it’s the emotional tug between him and his daughter that keeps things interesting. I’m curious to see where the show goes from here—there’s potential for both deeper character development and more absurd situations that could make Going Dutch a fun, if not groundbreaking, series to follow.
What did you think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So
Comments