Death in Paradise: Obscenely escapist holiday viewing that doesn’t make sense
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Death in Paradise is the type of television program that you can easily watch while doing other things without losing focus. You could even watch it while performing difficult tasks such as eye surgery. It's great viewing for the Christmas holiday because most people are too busy to sit and watch television for a full 90 minutes. The show's murder investigations don't require your full attention and are not too complex. This means that whether you enjoy lounging on the sofa or are a busy bee, Death in Paradise is great viewing for everyone.
The blog post discusses a TV show set in a beautiful Caribbean island called Saint Marie, which is a mix of British and French influences. While watching the show, you can enjoy exploring the charming villages and sunny beaches, admiring the stunning scenery and vivid colors, listening to some relaxing calypso and ska music, sipping on a rum cocktail or two, and following the local police as they solve a violent crime. Essentially, it's a perfect way to escape from reality during the holiday season. Also, the producers have recruited well-known actors to ensure that even if you doze off or don't fully understand the plot, you're still getting your money's worth.
In this drama, the cast doesn't have much of a challenge due to the predictable conversation and lack of character growth. However, they seemed to have had fun while filming. Plus, it's hard to criticize the cast's performance when it's filled with talented actors like Ralf Little, who portrays the somewhat inexperienced British detective inspector named Neville Parker, Doon Mackichan, who plays his mother, Melanie, a woman of easy virtue, Don Warrington, who embodies his usual role as the tired and grouchy police commissioner, Selwyn Patterson, and Patsy Kensit, who plays the bitter wife of the deceased, Bella Stableforth.
The story's plot lines are so unconventional that they border on ridiculousness, leaving the readers perplexed and unable to comprehend its significance.
Let's talk about the story, which follows the typical murder mystery formula. The plot revolves around the wealthy Gerry Stableforth, an English builder who dies in his luxurious villa. The audience is left wondering which of his unpleasant family members or guests could have killed him by pushing him off a high balcony into the forest below. His last words, "It's behind you", add an interesting touch to the story. Could it be his wife, whom he was arguing with? Or perhaps his daughter Mariana and her suspicious boyfriend Callen Shaw? Maybe it's his flashy son Benjamin, who needs money and drives a muscle car? There's also a possibility that the web designer and guest Debbie Clumson, who Gerry invited from Woking, might have a role in the murder. Ultimately, it could be a group effort involving everyone.
The plot lines of this tale are far from being predictable and make little sense. For example, the main character's son supposedly built a huge, but failing, fashion empire at a young age and lost $4 million. Additionally, the daughter, who is studying art, somehow spotted a genuine Chinese Ming vase worth $6 million in the background of a Zoom call. These improbable details keep accumulating, and if you think about it for too long, the story falls apart quickly. Nevertheless, we are still captivated by the story and carried along by its flow.
The reality is that Death in Paradise is not really a thrilling crime show, but more of a light-hearted vacation program. The mystery aspect is balanced between being too difficult and too obvious, reminiscent of a well-constructed Sudoku or Wordle game. However, the characters, especially the young team of local police officers, are often overlooked and underdeveloped, reduced to being like mere props in a travel pamphlet. There is a missed opportunity to explore their personalities and stories more deeply. Overall, Death in Paradise still has untapped potential but those involved need to put in more effort rather than just enjoy their tropical drinks.
