Beyond Paradise review: Less sunny than Death in Paradise but just as heartwarming
Death in Paradise isn't generally considered modern or innovative television. However, the tranquil crime drama set in the Caribbean was actually ahead of its time in anticipating the present-day obsession with cozy crime. Whether it's Kenneth Branagh adopting the accent of a Belgian detective in his Poirot films or Only Murders in the Building's mixture of uptown NYC chic and Agatha Christie-esque antics, murder mysteries are currently very popular.
It's not surprising that the BBC has extended its programs to new areas. The popular spin-off of Death in Paradise, called Beyond Paradise, which moves grumpy DI Humphrey Goodman (played by Kris Marshall) from the tropical islands to the coastal region of Devon, started its second season tonight.
The first episode showcased a complicated case that involved steam trains, amateur acting, hidden identities, and uncommon toxic substances. It was an exciting mystery that could satisfy the taste of any crime lover, almost like a scene from Clue where Colonel Mustard is killed in the library with a candlestick.
Even when the weather is pleasant, Devon doesn't resemble the Caribbean or the made-up island of Saint Marie from the show Death in Paradise. However, although the UV index may have altered, many other things have stayed constant.
Humphrey and Esther Williams, who has a dry sense of humor, were taking part in a practice run of a murder mystery with a local amateur dramatics group called the Shipton Abbott Players. The setting for the rehearsal was an old train. Humphrey is sometimes grumpy, but in a charming way.
They were substitute fake investigators who replaced the actual ones - meaning, police officers who were feigning as performers instead of the opposite. However, their role switched when the play's actor, who was portraying the victim, was actually killed while the train halted in a tunnel. The deceased person seemed to have suffered a blow, but no blood was present. Furthermore, the motive for the homicide was unclear.
There was a lot of stress. The top officials in the police department were eager to shut down Humphrey and his gang's humble station (Dylan Llewellyn from Derry Girls plays the third member of the policing squad as the junior officer PC Selby). An additional murder wasn't doing them any favors in their efforts to continue operating independently.
Humphrey got in trouble with his boss, CS Charlie Woods (played by Jade Harrison), when the investigation he was working on didn't seem to be making any progress. Charlie told him to pass the case along to the regional headquarters. But Humphrey and Esther managed to figure out what had happened. They had a meeting and brainstormed about the case. They discovered that a married couple who were part of an amateur drama organization were responsible for the crime. They had blamed the victim for their son's suicide a long time ago because he had injured the boy while drunk driving.
The reason for the absence of blood in the body was clarified as the mysterious poison used in the murder. Prior to her husband's plans to brutally attack the victim, the wife took it upon herself to poison him. She didn't want her partner to destroy his future by committing such a severe crime, so she opted to ruin her own instead.
Solving the crime was a simple task for Humphrey. However, his significant other Martha (played by Sally Bretton) was dealing with her own issues, particularly with her mother Anne's choice to try online dating.
When Martha heard that her mum, Barbara Flynn, was using a dating app where you swipe left or right to match with people, she was really scared. She was nervous and anxious, so she decided to secretly watch her mum from behind a houseboat. She took her friend Humphrey with her for comfort. But it turned out that Martha didn't need to worry at all. Barbara met someone for a date who she didn't like because he ate his soup too loudly. After just one date, they didn't speak anymore.
Beyond Paradise is a television show that, like Death in Paradise, is enjoyed for its light-hearted nature. It recognizes its lack of seriousness, providing a pleasant viewing experience. The crimes portrayed are complex, and in the real world, the increasing number of deaths would significantly impact the local real estate market.
However, even with all the chaos, the show never portrays itself as important, and that is what makes it appealing.
While Beyond Paradise may not have the same sunny atmosphere as its predecessor, it still provided a heartwarming experience upon its return.
Don't miss the next episode of 'Beyond Paradise' airing on BBC One at 8pm next Friday.
