Denis Leary is back, and honestly, he’s exactly as loud as you remember. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the mid-season TV schedules, you’ve probably seen the buzz around the Going Dutch television show on FOX. It isn’t your typical "thank you for your service" military drama. Not even close. Instead, it’s a workplace comedy that feels like a cross between Brooklyn Nine-Nine and a fever dream about European bureaucracy.
The premise is pretty simple. Leary plays Colonel Patrick Quinn, a guy who has a very decorated career and a very big mouth. After one too many unfiltered rants, he’s essentially exiled. But he isn't sent to a dangerous war zone or a high-stakes intelligence hub. He’s sent to Stroopsdorf.
Stroopsdorf is a fictional U.S. Army base in the Netherlands that has been described by the show as the "least important army base in the world." We are talking about a place that doesn't have weapons, but it does have a Michelin-star commissary and the only fromagerie in the entire U.S. Armed Forces. It’s military life, but with more lavender-infused laundry and fewer tactical drills.
Why Going Dutch Television Show Is Actually Working
Most sitcoms take a full season to find their legs. Going Dutch seems to have skipped the awkward phase. Maybe it’s the chemistry between the cast, or maybe it’s just the sheer absurdity of seeing an "old school" Colonel try to discipline a group of soldiers who are more concerned with the local tulip festival than combat readiness.
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One of the most interesting dynamics in the Going Dutch television show is the relationship between Colonel Quinn and the base’s former interim leader, Captain Maggie Quinn. Maggie is Patrick’s estranged daughter, played by Taylor Misiak. It’s not just a "father-daughter" trope; it’s a clash of military philosophies. She’s adapted to the soft-power, diplomatic vibes of the Netherlands, while he’s still trying to find someone to shout at.
The ensemble cast is where the show really finds its rhythm. You’ve got:
- Danny Pudi as XO Major Abraham Shah, the loyal but slightly overwhelmed second-in-command.
- Laci Mosley as Master Sergeant Dana Conway, a supply sergeant who definitely knows where all the "missing" luxury goods are.
- Hal Cumpston as Elias Papadakis, the cyber expert who looks like he’s never seen a razor in his life.
Season 2 just kicked off in January 2026, and it’s already leaning harder into the weirdness. We’ve seen laser tag battles against rival generals and the introduction of Kristen Johnston as a Canadian NATO officer. It’s fast-paced. It's kinda chaotic. It works.
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The Ireland Secret and Cultural Quirks
Here is something most people don't realize: the show isn't filmed in the Netherlands. Despite all the jokes about Amsterdam and "stroop" prefixes, the Going Dutch television show is actually filmed in Dublin, Ireland. They use a real Irish Army base for the exterior shots. Denis Leary reportedly loved this because he has a ton of cousins in Ireland who kept dropping by the set.
The show gets a bit of flack from actual Dutch viewers, and honestly, they have a point. The accents are all over the place. Some sound German, some sound vaguely Scandinavian, and Catherine Tate—who plays the Colonel's love interest, Dr. Katja Vanderhoff—does her best British-Dutch hybrid. It’s not exactly a documentary on Dutch culture. The show uses "Stroopsdorf" (a name that combines a Dutch snack with a German suffix) as a playground for American stereotypes about Europe being "soft."
But if you look past the geographical inaccuracies, there’s a sharp critique of American military spending and bureaucracy underneath the surface. When the characters wonder why they need an Apple Store on a base that has no guns, it hits a little close to home for anyone who’s ever worked in a massive government organization.
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What to Expect in Season 2
If you’re just jumping into the Going Dutch television show now, you’re hitting the sweet spot. Season 2 has expanded the world significantly. The "love triangle" between Maggie Quinn, Major Shah, and his estranged wife Celeste (Milana Vayntrub) is adding a layer of messiness that the first season lacked.
We’re also seeing more of the local environment, even if it is just "Ireland-pretending-to-be-Holland." The show is moving away from just being about "angry guy in a peaceful place" and becoming a genuine ensemble piece about people who are just trying to find meaning in a job that doesn't seem to matter to the rest of the world.
How to Watch and Catch Up
If you want to stay current, here is the breakdown:
- Network: The show airs on FOX, usually on Thursday nights.
- Streaming: New episodes hit Hulu the day after they air.
- Season 1: The first ten episodes are all on Hulu if you need to see the "Nazi-hunting" episode (which most fans agree is the turning point where the show got good).
Stop expecting a serious military show. It’s a workplace sitcom in camo. Once you accept that the soldiers are more likely to argue about the quality of the ricotta than the trajectory of a bullet, the humor starts to land.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you're looking for the most authentic experience, skip the "Dutch" history books and just watch the episodes written by Joel Church-Cooper. He’s the mind behind Brockmire, and you can see that same DNA of a "broken professional in a weird town" all over the Colonel Quinn character. Keep an eye out for the recurring guest spots from Joe Morton—his rivalry with Leary is arguably the best part of the series.