User Reviews

After a so-so last episode, this 2nd instalment ended up being a very good one, perhaps the best since Jack left the island in my book.

Part of the reason I say this is because the writers finally seem to have found a balance between Neville being competent and his little phobias, to the point where for the first time, I actually quite liked him.

The mystery was good, and full of twists as well, which seeing as this is the 10th series and it feels like we've seen surely every possible scenario going, is positive.

Florence being back helps the show as well, she does more to help Neville than the very wooden and underwritten Madeline ever did.

Even JP gets a lot to do - what more could you want?!

A vastly better episode, with signs that Neville may yet settle down.

After being very disappointed in the previous episode, I hoped this one to be much better. It's definitely better than the premiere of the 10th season, but I still think that "Death in Paradise" has been stronger in the past...

Let's start with the good aspects, shall we?

. The production values are great as usual. The direction is solid and the music always fits the scenery. The acting's mostly passable too. Neville Parker is much more toned down in this episode, which gives Ralf Little to shine, which he does. The guest stars are fine too. Quite liked Golda Roshevuel and Richard McCabe. Hoping to see a lot more Tahj Miles as well.

. The murder mystery is much more compelling this time around. There are some clever twists, turns and red herrings here. Most of the humor works and the solution (with Ed turning out to be the killer) was neat indeed (everything fit together well indeed).

But...

. I was not all that impressed with this episode. I thought there were times, where the writing could have been better. The set up for some of the twists was way too obvious for me (maybe because I have watched so many crime shows) and the introduction of the new constable was quite predictable too, which was underwhelming, because the episode seemed to be aiming at something unique. And at times it was unique, but it was not enough.

Overall, pretty good, but not great.

8/10 HK.

DI Neville Parker who is as bad as I am at, embracing foreign food especially anything remotely spicy.

And has survived on a diet of chicken and chips, courtesy of Catherine Bordey's forbearance.

This self same character has decided, to finally dip his toe into Saint Marie island culture.

But what prey has he decided to, try his hand at on virtually his first attempt?

Something suitably low key to start with surely?

No not a bit of it but rather its something remarkably ambitious, and way beyond his normal comfort zone.

An annual Saint Marie cooking competition, and nothing run of the mill for his 1st outing, no the prestigious event no less.

But why on earth start with an event that involves cooking, and a particular food that he has a specific aversion to?

DI Neville Parker is most definitely a good detective but frankly, in his everyday life not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Who in their right mind enters a competition without knowing that, for the main ingredient to be fresh means they are alive?

And who wouldn't wish to find out that the Police Commissioner is not only a competitor in the Competition, but the Champion for 3 years running?

A local character Marlon Pryce is found in contact with someone from around the Murder scene, in somewhat suspicious circumstances.

Sergeant J. P. Hooper knows him of old as someone, who is generally involved in local scams.

The lack of an extra officer to replace Ruby is something that has directly affected, J. P. and the Commissioner's assistance has not been exactly welcome.

The Commissioner has of late said he had the matter well in hand and that a local scheme, was to provide them with a shortlist of suitable applicants.

Much more than this he suddenly announced that "of all the Candidates put forward by the Youth Scheme one stood head and shoulders above the others" " he is a little rough around the edges but full of raw promise"

This Scheme not only involves Youth but also Offenders, as the Commissioner said "youngsters who have taken a wrong turn, I for one don't want to live in a world where no one is given a second chance"

The Commissioner then promptly introduced the police team to their newest recruit, with no prizes for guessing who it is.

And Sergeant J. P. Hooper is given the onerous task of providing this recidivist ne'er-do-well, with his Police Training as his Training Officer.

Here the writers finally realised that Neville's annoying and irritating quirks were just too much. Neville is kind of getting back to normal, but I think if the producers want to shake up Death in Paradise they should think of replacing Ralf Little with Danny Dyer or John Boyega, or perhaps having a female DI like Nicola Walker.

Here it was a real mystery how and why an archealogist was murdered. The early arrest was a kind of a twist.

Who was in charge of ruining one of my favorite series? The new DI is so annoying I can barely watch his scenes. The other three DIs had exceptional deductive skills and appealing personalities. Even Ben Miller, in his silly black suits, was endearing, especially once his character developed romantic feelings for Camille. Ralf Little's character is whiny even when he's working on solving the mystery out loud.

The secondary lead replacements have all had less personality than those they replaced. Danny John-Jules's exit was a particular loss. Shyko Amos brought a bit of humor back to the show but she was sacked at the end of last season. The Catherine character always provided warmth and mature sensuality but she actress seems to have fewer scenes and boring lines. Finally, Little's character has no chemistry with the commissioner. He's even turned Harry into just a lizard - although that's probably the director's fault.

Little is so boring that I just finished watching this episode and I can't remember his character's name.

The writing is terrible The direction is terrible. The casting of Little is terrible. Bakare is a mediocre actor. The new teen conman/police trainee is a stock character.

If it doesn't improve, I'm going to watch the earlier seasons instead. I'm going to warn that there's a spoiler even though it's obvious almost from the beginning.

I gave the episode two stars only because the scenery is still gorgeous.