Return to Paradise ‘romance’ is better than Neville and Florence

As a long-time fan of detective dramas and romantic entanglements, I’ve seen my fair share of will-they-won’t-they narratives. But none have captivated me quite like the blossoming connection between Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson) and Glenn (Tai Hara) in Return to Paradise.


Return to Paradise season 1 episode 3 spoilers follow.

It’s unmistakable that Detective Inspector Mackenzie Clarke, played by Anna Samson, hasn’t come home for a romantic reprise. Instead, she is deeply committed to her work: focusing on the current case and unveiling the identity of the one who set her up in London are her main concerns.

Indeed, returning to Dolphin Cove consistently leaves her in a sour disposition. This isn’t an exaggeration – she expressed this very sentiment in the last episode. However, the dynamic between her and her former fiancé Glenn (Tai Hara) suggests something quite different.

Since Mackenzie returned to Australia, there’s been an undeniable pull between them. While others often witness her frustration and exasperation over her life circumstances, there’s a serene tranquility she only exhibits around Glenn. It’s evident that Glenn brings out a more genuine side of Mackenzie; Frankie can vouch for this.

Return to Paradise 'romance' is better than Neville and Florence

Despite being estranged for six long years and having been left at the altar, he still moves around her with a sense of elegance, which is quite remarkable. This was after she showed up in Dolphin Cove, seemingly ashamed and seeking to avoid attention while waiting for the British turmoil to subside. At first, there was no sign of an apology upon her return, but eventually, it came.

Although Glenn maintains a certain emotional detachment, he consistently exhibits respect and kindness towards her. During their occasional on-screen interactions, there’s an undeniable thickness in the air that suggests unexpressed emotions and mounting tension, subtly creating a captivating will-they-won’t-they dynamic.

Their connection is only part of what makes their romance more inviting than Neville (Ralf Little) and Florence’s (Joséphine Jobert), however.

The romantic progression between the couple on “Death in Paradise” was filled with heartfelt and captivating instances: their initial shared meal opened the door for a deeper connection as Neville revealed his personal tale of mourning, providing comfort to Florence as she navigated her own grief process.

Return to Paradise 'romance' is better than Neville and Florence

As a gamer, I’d say it was the first clear sign that something more than friendship might be brewing between us. Over the course of our journey, I kept pondering if our bond could deepen beyond comradeship. We teetered on the edge of uncertainty, but eventually, in the final moments of season 13, we found ourselves setting sail into the sunset together – a moment that had been a long time in the making. Yet, despite the anticipation, it wasn’t all smooth sailing; far from it.

After making up his mind to depart from Saint Marie for a journey aimed at finding a genuine, romantic bond, Neville experienced a total change of heart when Florence confessed to having only mild feelings towards him. Although it was evident that Florence felt affectionate towards him romantically, she herself admitted that she was uncertain about her desires; all she knew was that she enjoyed being with him.

Despite that, it prompted him to revert to his familiar ways, opting for comfort over truly venturing into the unfamiliar.

The emotional relationship between them frequently seemed lopsided: he showed an excessive amount of affection, while she appeared less invested, particularly in romantic matters.

Return to Paradise 'romance' is better than Neville and Florence

It’s apparent that there’s a striking resemblance in circumstances between Glenn and Mackenzie. Although Mackenzie seems deeply affectionate towards Glenn, she values her career and ambitions for a broader life beyond Dolphin Cove more highly.

On the contrary, Glenn harbors great affection for Mackenzie. Although they’re currently in a committed relationship, his feelings towards her, if not radiating like love hearts from a cartoon, are clearly manifested through his actions.

1) He’s concerned about her self-care, and there’s a lightheartedness in their interactions. Remarkably, he harbors no resentment for the pain he’s endured.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice how Glenn’s humility masks an underlying power imbalance that often finds him on the losing end. So, when Mackenzie shows signs of jealousy upon learning about his five-year camping trip anniversary, it’s no surprise that Glenn is prompt to remind her who initiated the separation.

In a straightforward manner, yet without harshness, he clarifies her misunderstandings. This leads to a touching scene towards the end of episode three where Mackenzie, filled with emotions, faces her past departure from six years ago.

Regardless of her attempts to ‘draw a closure, to rectify matters, to progress,’ it’s evident that there are lingering issues between them both. The atmosphere is heavy with emotional intensity, making it effortless to sympathize with their situation, as Glenn, despite past injustices, doesn’t appear pitiful but rather resilient.

Return to Paradise 'romance' is better than Neville and Florence

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but empathize with the longing he harbors for Mackenzie, a feeling that doesn’t sting as much due to its mutual nature. On the other hand, Neville’s tormented emotions towards Florence, returned with hesitation, are a sight far more heart-rending to witness.

Could it be that we might be excessively careful with Neville, yet it remains unquestionable that some aspect of Neville and Florence‘s final union seemed to contradict or challenge their entire shared experience.

As of now, it appears that Mackenzie and Glenn are heading towards success, if they eventually unite. Whether or not they will, remains to be seen. But fans can certainly find solace in this potential storyline.

Airs every Friday at 8 PM, you can catch “Return to Paradise” on BBC One. Also, don’t forget that both “Beyond Paradise” and “Death in Paradise” are available on BBC One and for streaming on BBC iPlayer.

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2024-11-24 15:49

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