Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
History is being made in the latest versions of BBC One Death in paradise Christmas special, like Don Gillette becomes the first black actor to play the lead role of a British police detective parachuted onto the sleepy (and completely fictional) Caribbean island of Saint Marie. But as he dons DI Mervin Wilson’s slouchy green sun hat, his work is cut into a fun, feature-length piece that tries to carry out several demanding tasks at once.
First, the episode must introduce DI Wilson as a fully rounded stand-in for left Neville Parker (Ralph Little). Second, it must serve a distinctive slice of Christmas cheer on weekends when prime time schedules heaving under the dead weight of tinsel and annual greetings. Oh, and it has to deliver a satisfying murder mystery with the inevitable loose ends tied up by the end credits.
That’s a tall order – perhaps too tall. There are times when this Christmas event threatens to lose its footing and topple over like Santa who slipped on an unusual tile. The good news is that Gilet is a great addition to the series. His phlegmatic, uneven personality comes from OG Death in paradise the overseas policeman, Richard Poole (an exhilarating Ben Miller).
Poole was forever grumbling about living on a glorious tropical island. DI Wilson has some of the same Columbus-esque energy, complaining early on that a visit to Saint Marie is “like going back in time”. But beneath that dark exterior lies a deep sadness, and it is revealed that he has come to the island in hopes of connecting with his mother, whom he never knew. He also doesn’t seem to have any friends in London – revealing to DS Naomi Thomas (Chantole Jackson) that he always volunteered to work at Christmas because he didn’t have much else to do.
The episode is also full of Christmas get-togethers. As it was no doubt filmed a few months ago, in sunny Guadeloupe, capturing the charm of the season must have been a challenge. But it does, with a heart-warming subplot in which Danny John-Jules’ officer Dwayne Myers tries to spend December 25 with his aging father Nelson (Ram John Holder), who he suspects may not have much Christmas left in him. Dwayne follows this up by announcing that he’s retiring from being a cop so he can spend more quality time with his father (it’s Jules’ second outing from Death in paradise after previously taking time off in 2022).
Where the war falls down is in its manically convoluted murder plot. You know that internet meme from It’s always sunny in Philadelphiain which a wild-eyed Charlie Day stands in front of a red-lined cork board? That’s what this is Death in Paradise it is rumored that while on vacation, Wilson was asked to delay his return to London to help the local police investigate the double murder of two men, both dressed as Santa Claus.
The two appeared to have been killed with the same weapon – at the same time. Oh, and there’s another near-victim, killed again as Santa and shot at just as his fellow Santas are killed.
Unraveling the mystery is an extremely difficult undertaking, and I’m still not sure I fully understand it all. I won’t spoil it here – suffice to say it’s a crazy combination of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and Oliver Stone JFKwith several potential culprits and enough deep-fried red herrings for Christmas Eve crisps.
It’s all quite confusing, and even DI Wilson doesn’t seem to fully understand it as he breaks down the details of the murder. But then the crimes—and the idea they need to make sense at all—have always been in the background Death in paradise. Far more important is the fact that the new DI establishes an instant bond with DS Thomas’ support team and the police chief, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington).
Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after a free trial period. Schedule automatic renewal until it is canceled
Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after a free trial period. Schedule automatic renewal until it is canceled
The chemistry is great, the sun is a balm at this time of year – and the Christmas spirit appropriately festive. You could go down a tropical rabbit hole trying to unravel the complicated plot. But bah haumbug to to. What really matters is that Death in paradise has a compelling new lead detective. To talk about a twist, a reversal, would be to indulge in criminal levels of complaining.