Beyond Paradise review: Lazy TV – enough with the spin-offs
Do you have a preference for where you'd like to spend your Christmas - in Devon or the Caribbean? Luckily for those who enjoy watching delightful TV shows about crime, the BBC has given viewers the option of both! You can enjoy a feature-length episode of Death in Paradise, filmed in Guadeloupe, on Boxing Day, and a special holiday episode of the DiP spinoff Beyond Paradise on Christmas Eve.
For those who didn't catch it during its initial run in February, "the latter" refers to the show that has Humphrey Goodman, a former detective of Saint Marie, now living in the made-up harbor town of Shipton Abbey in Devon (although it was primarily shot in Cornwall).
Humphrey is currently residing in Devon with his fiancée Martha, who is famously known for her role in Not Going Out as Sally Bretton. In the year 2017, he left his posting in Caribbean just to be with her. Now, he is also a part of the local police force, where Martha grew up.
In addition to his capable second-in-command, DS Esther Williams (played by Zahra Ahmadi), the team includes the customary endearing oddballs, like the well-meaning but not-too-bright PC Kelby Hartford (portrayed by Dylan Llewellyn, known for his roles in Derry Girls and Big Boys), and the nurturing office support Margo Martins (who viewers may recognize as Felicity Montagu from I'm Alan Partridge). The holiday-focused plot involved the risk of the small police station shutting down unless they improved their success in solving crimes. Naturally, it was clear from the beginning that they would come out on top.
Kelby appears to be quite unintelligent, almost like he doesn't belong in reality and would fit better in a fictional show like The Vicar of Dibley. The overall tone of the show is more reminiscent of Doc Martin rather than Death in Paradise. The successful TV series set in Cornwall, which aired last Christmas on ITV, has vacated the location, making room for Beyond Paradise to take over. However, Humphrey, who is portrayed as clumsy, is not as unique as Martin Clunes’ ignorant GP character.
Humphrey's clumsy behavior can sometimes be exaggerated, and it was no surprise that while he waited in the chief constable's office and poured himself some water, he ended up spilling it all over his pants. It's also a bit surprising to see him paired romantically with a character played by Bretton, a comedic actor who typically engages in harsh wordplay with her on-screen husband from Not Going Out, Lee Mack.
The reason why Beyond Paradise has an edge over Death in Paradise is apparent just by looking at the title. In contrast to its predecessor, the offshoot isn't required to showcase a homicide. In the latest installment, Humphrey and his colleagues tackled a perplexing case of four burglaries, wherein the culprit didn't take anything, but instead left behind peculiar items, including a TV, a golden bracelet, and a stack of money.
The station got the opportunity to enhance their rate of clearing up cases and steer clear of being shut down due to this situation. This is significant as their police force is among the few remaining in the country that is willing to launch investigations on shoplifting, which should have been reason enough to spare them. Kelby managed to catch a young thief, who claimed to be "Rishi Sunak" and was only 11 years old. It goes without saying that this troubled boy was somehow involved in the puzzling burglary incidents.
The story of a burglar who is trying to make things right by returning stolen items, which he took 50 years ago, is a redemption plot that has been seen before in Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Perhaps, writers of Christmas specials, like Tony Jordan, who used to write for EastEnders, should find different themes instead of repeatedly using the Scrooge-related storyline. However, I can't help but feel a bit like Scrooge for not enjoying this episode as much as I should have.
Beyond Paradise shows potential, with Bretton being a refreshing and sharp addition while Anne (Barbara Flynn), Martha's assertive mother, was also pleasant. Although the show follows a predictable pattern, it has a proven track record of success. However, there should be no more spin-offs.
