Death In Paradise Review: Life’s A Beach
October 26, 2011 by Peter Chawaga
Filed under Reviews
DEATH IN PARADISE: Tuesday 25th October, BBC1, 9pm
Sainte-Marie might seem like a tropical paradise, but it soon becomes a hotbed for murder this evening after BBC Worldwide and France Télévision’s joint venture Death in Paradise hits our screens. If the first episode of this sun-soaked whodunnit is anything to go by, you we’ll be still be guessing who pulled the trigger in eight weeks time.
This new drama opens with prototypical Englishman Richard Poole, played by Ben Miller, a straight-laced DI finding himself thrown into an investigation of the murder of a British cop in the Caribbean. His team consists of police officers Dwayne Myers (The Cat / Danny John-Jules) and Fidel Best (Gary Carr) whose laid-back approach to crime fighting clash with Poole’s methodical style.
Miller, who has also starred in The Armstrong and Miller Show as well as Primeval, delivers brilliantly as a fish out of water. We can only hope that as his character gets accustomed to the island surroundings (and his luggage turns up) the show does’t lose its humorous element.
John-Jules (best known for his iconic stylings in Red Dwarf) stands out as the laid-back cop Dwayne and he serves as the perfect foil for Poole. The two have a lot to learn from each other and as Poole adopts a bit of the Caribbean lifestyle, perhaps Dwayne will begin to take his job a little more seriously.
The supporting cast also includes French star Sara Martins, who plays Camille Bordey. Clearly there is more to her than meets the eye and Poole is doubtlessly going to need someone like her in the episodes to come. The two couldn’t be more different, so obviously it’s only a matter of time until they get together.
But Death in Paradise’s true star is the plot, which keeps you guessing throughout. A feat that is made even more impressive when we discover that creator Robert Thorogood had no previous television experience and was discovered in a competition seeking out new talent. In addition to the top-notch suspense, the show captures a great Caribbean feel with a brilliant soundtrack and great island views (since the island of Sainte-Marie doesn’t actually exist, it’s really filmed in Guadeloupe).
With a charming protagonist, a strong supporting cast and above all, excellent writing, this series opener has much going for it and sets itself up well to find a fresh angle on the detective genre, with a realistic setting and an original plot. The potential for growth on Poole and his colleague’s part is there and if Thorogood can keep the mystery on par with this episode, Death in Paradise can’t go wrong.
I know it is a brilliant soundtrack! I really, really want to know the artists and titles on it! specifically, the opening intro song. I recognize it, but sans the lyrics, I can’t grasp it. help please!
This show’s writer has no previous writing experience? It really shows. This was awful. Worse still is that the Beeb spend a fortune making this rubbish in the West Indies! I found the attitude to the (black) local police officers condascending, like they needed help solving the badly scripted murder by a colonial white officer because they were incapable. And the plot was hackneyed and implausible. In reality, these police forces deal with a lot worse than this so their portrayal is wholly inaccurate. Why can’t the Beeb make better use of our money making quality drama??
I’ve been looking for reviews to see if it’s supposed to be funny.
It didn’t make me laugh, but it was so stupid. Just what kind of Policeman (person even) would complain of the heat of a caribbean island and insist on still wearing his dark jacket and tie?
It is a strange inversion of the idea that he has lost his luggage – he could lose a little more!
That shack they have arranged to be so awful for him – who would do that?
Predictable? You couldn’t make it up. As to the plot – if it’s good, I haven’t the patience to find out – so it’s wasted.
It does not belong amidst the rest of the excellent drama the Beeb has produced for us this Autumn. We switched off.
@ myra. It’s: “You’re wondering Now” by the Specials.
The series was filmed in Guadeloupe, and many scenes take place in and around the NW village of DESHAIES (pronounced DAYHAY). I agree that there are some great tracks, but they all seem to have an vintage Jamaican affiliation, which given the supposed location (Anglo/French), and period (contemporary), suggest that it is more a selection of the writer’s personal favourite’s than reflective of the St Marie. How about a little zouk and calypso, soca?
I find the intrigue and resolution of the murder plots good, but my overall enjoyment of the series is tempered by the knowledge that this paradise is wholly an imagined place, and as such much of the indigenous characters dialogue is weak and the characters unconvincing. I try to enjoy it, but find myself getting annoyed!
It is “You’re Wondering Now”, but it’s originally by Andy and Joey and was released in 1966 in Jamaica. The fact that it’s credited to Magnus Fiennes (whoever he is), is shocking.