DEATH IN PARADISE s14 - Fri 31st Jan. 9pm bbc. TV PACE NO SPOILERS

[Blondeshavemorefun]

yah. It’s back. For 8w

We're transported back to the tropical island of Saint Marie, and this time with a new Detective Inspector in place - but will DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) remain in the job for long?

Following the recently cracked case of ‘who shot the Santas?’, along with the revelation that his estranged mother has passed away, Mervin is ready to get back home and leave the island for good.

But when a case close to the hearts of those at the station presents itself, is he tempted to extend his stay?

As Mervin continues to ruffle feathers, the police team pull together to solve some of the island’s most confounding cases yet.

And making their mark across the series is a host of fantastic guest stars including: Tobi Bakare (Kingsman), reprising his role of Sergeant JP Hooper, Michelle Greenidge (Kaos), Joy Richardson (Dreamland), Stephen Odubola (Boiling Point), Anthony J. Abraham (The Acolyte), Simon Lennon (Our Girl), Bhavna Limbachia (Brassic), Adam James (The Day of The Jackal), David Avery (Gangs of London), Sofia Oxenham (A Very Royal Scandal), Patricia Allison (Sex Education), Imogen King (Love Rat), David Mumeni (Bridgerton), Madeline Appiah (In The Long Run), Siobhan Redmond (Two Doors Down), Chantelle Alle (Hijack), Rita Bernard-Shaw (The Power), Bobby Gordon (Three Little Birds), Tony Marshall (Casualty), Charlotte Spencer (The Gold), Tala Gouveia (McDonald & Dodds), Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge (Holby City), Gerard Horan (Detectorists), Judith Jacob (The Five), Lily Nichol (Renegade Nell), Lyndsey Marshal (Inside Man) and more.

Elsewhere, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) must deal with momentous news from the Chief Commissioner in Jamaica that rocks the police department to its very core.

As an unexpected foe attempts to enforce the unfathomable, Catherine (Elizabeth Bourgine), in her role as Mayor, acts as the last line of defence in a battle to save the team as we know it.

In an unexpected twist, Naomi (Shantol Jackson) finds herself at an emotional crossroads when an old flame from St Barnabas makes a surprising appearance on the island, while Darlene (Ginny Holder) becomes a mentor when a new officer joins the ranks, but is left questioning whether she’s the right person for the job.

And with the opportunity to learn more about his mother’s life, Mervin begins to discover things may not be all that they seem in Saint Marie. As everything he thought he knew unravels, will his life ever be the same again?

Death in Paradise was the UK’s most watched returning drama in 2024 across all broadcasters and streamers, with last year's series watched by over 8 million viewers. BBC Studios, who distribute the series, have now licensed Death in Paradise to over 230 territories across the globe.

Following the successful launch of spin-off series Beyond Paradise in 2023, the Death in Paradise franchise has built on its international success with new Australia-set spin-off series for the ABC - Return to Paradise, which launched last year on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Filmed on the French Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe, Death in Paradise continues to delight audiences with the perfect blend of exciting escapism, puzzling mysteries, and juicy plot twists set against an idyllic sun-drenched backdro

Can't say I enjoyed that episode but it was nice to see JP back.

Let's hope they don't develop any silly quirks for the new inspector.

Guessing a one off for jp

Yes, a 15 minute time shift made absolutely no sense in context

Isn’t the silly quirk that he compared everything to London, and how much more modern it is. For example, he commented about internet deliveries in the UK, not realising ing they have them there also
etc

I quite enjoyed it, but I’ve got an annoying niggle from another show where a rare stamp was the treasure. It’ll come to me, probably around my perimenopausal 2am wake up time 🙄

Anyhow, Don Gilet’s acting is much stronger than our previous two inspectors, but I’m not sure whether it’ll lose its charm as I’m used to it being a bit naff.

I was so gutted! I'd been thinking how well he'd fit in, and how much his excellent brain would be useful in solving crimes.

@Snowmanscarf I'd say that was more of a cultural observation.
I mean quirks like Humphrey's incessant dithering nd Neville's allergies (which thankfully seemed to disappear after a few episodes)

This it was Madame Blanc mysteries.

Oh yes madam blanc. That’s back soon for s4

Oh that’s the one. Thanks Miss Marple!

Yes I wanted the new recruit to stay - really liked him.
Don Gilet, good actor, - much stronger than Ralf L, (whom I didn't like). I never liked Kris Marshall as much as Ben Miller either.
Not weird or obviously "different" . Just a bit fish-out-of-water-ish having come from London. And a bit difficult to pin down at times - but I really like him. Also nice to have someone with a connection to the Island.

Yes he is good

I liked the way he didn't grovel around Selwyn like Neville did and said it how he saw it.

We’ve just watched episode 1 and quite enjoyed it . I’m not concerned about the 15 minute thing because let’s face it , it’s not real life and in real life murders are rarely solved in 2 days like they are on TV .

Oh, this is one of my favorite series! As for the new DI… his introduction as brusque and overly businesslike—to the point of being unlikeable—is really getting on my nerves. That said, I suspect that over time in Saint-Marie, we’ll see him gradually soften.

Gilet is undoubtedly a talented actor, but there were moments where it felt like he was trying a bit too hard, even veering into overacting.

I love the show. I have a question... instead of the very esoteric backwards writing of Maria and the convoluted stamp/boat resolution why didn't Benjamin write Karlus in the dirt?

@BringMeTea I thought that too, and my possible solution is: he wanted to add the name of his killer but had died by then.

I was genuinely sad when the new recruit died. He would have made such a lovely new recruit his opening story set the scene for a lovely guy.

I like the new DI I feel a lot of his nonsense is a front, like London’s so much better because my mother didn’t want me and she lived here

E2 tonight

a mystery unravels in the jungle when a game show contestant is stabbed on a zip line

meanwhile the team Butt heads with mervin

well obv can’t be stabbed in zip lions so was stabbed /hidden before

and obv the team can’t just like the new inspector

Do the team ever like the new inspector?? I honestly can’t remember.

I think they quite liked Jack, didn’t they?

Sure it’s standard they hate then love

all have annoying loving habits 😂

😂😂

It's the premise of the show - that the new inspector is a fish out of water on Saint Marie and takes time to settle

Oh it’s him. Neil stuke isn’t it

So he gets got in the woods