Love is a key theme in tonight’s Death in Paradise, both with the central characters in the show and as the motive behind this week’s murder mystery.
When the group leader of an historical re-enactment society (Adrian Lukis) is killed from a deadly dose of poisonous herbs he ingested, D.I. Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) and his team are called in to investigate. What is initially seen as a fatal reaction from the herbs is actually something more sinister.
Once again, the episode attracts a strong guest cast, with David Bamber giving a performance that is both real and compelling as ousted historian Alan Butler. Also, Amanda Root as Teresa is very layered and presents her character as maternal, but with a sort of relatable sadness throughout. “We were like a little family, weren’t we?” Teresa explains to the policemen, in reference to the group.
Director David O’Neill makes good use of the beautiful Guadeloupe scenery with the episode’s sunsets, tropical forestry and beachfront settings, adding a jarringly laid back feel to what is actually quite a dark and premeditated story. Of particular note is the scene where Dwayne takes Humphrey to a nightclub: tonally different to anything else in the episode, it also demonstrates a nice chemistry between Marshall and Danny John-Jules as Dwayne.
As with all Death in Paradise episodes there are compelling yet misleading red herrings; the threatening notes, the missing Jeep, the spurned ex-girlfriend, a love triangle, an apparent stalking and someone’s severe financial problems all keep us guessing. Writer Tim Higgins does a fine job in creating a tight, intelligent script that still maintains the show’s trademark light comedy.
A very strong scene halfway through the episode with the main cast deducing the evidence delightfully displays how well the cast have gelled in such the short space of time since Marshall arrived in Season 3 and Josephine Jobert joined as Florence this year.
It’s welcome to see the romantic subplot gain some momentum and interesting to hear Camille’s side through a hypothetical conversation about first loves. “I love you” Humphrey tells Camille, referring to a different conversation but directing it emotionally at her.
Of course, Camille (Sara Martins) remains unaware of Humphrey’s feelings, which makes it all the more heartbreaking when she announces she has been offered a job in Paris. It’s an unexpected twist and one that I hope is played as a romantic challenge rather than as an exit strategy for Martins, who continues to be excellent.
Aired at 9pm on Thursday 22 January 2015 on BBC One.
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