Death in Paradise’s long-overdue Christmas special will finally silence *that* Mervin criticism

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In the Death in Paradise Christmas special, Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) and his team face a puzzling case when a man is found murdered on the island. While Saint Marie police are used to solving crimes, this case is particularly strange. The murder weapon is thousands of miles away, secured in a drawer in Swindon, UK, and the person with the key has disappeared.

The detectives of Saint Marie are forced to put their celebrations on hold and focus on solving a murder. Luckily, DI Wilson is already in a bad mood – he reluctantly agreed to be in the town’s nativity play and has been acting like a Grinch ever since.

Mervin eagerly abandoned his community work to focus on the investigation, and while he seemed to have his priorities clear, he clearly enjoyed the change. He didn’t seem to notice, or didn’t care, that the team was upset about having to cancel their vacation.

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He immediately throws himself into the investigation, and even pulls the retired Detective Chief Inspector Selwyn (Don Warrington) back into the field, needing his local knowledge of Swindon.

He’s a tough and easily angered man, and he even explodes with rage at the eager young officer, Sebastian ‘Seb’ Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah), when Seb’s dedication to the mission and willingness to do anything to find a missing person results in overspending the police budget.

Basically, Mervin is still the same character that divides viewers – some love to dislike him. When asked about the criticism, Gilet simply stated he didn’t feel the need to defend his character. He then shifted the conversation to focus on Mervin’s development throughout the current season, which he considered more important (according to Radio Times).

He hinted that we’ll see a more sensitive side of him. He explained that work isn’t where this person shows vulnerability. He’s incredibly skilled at solving crimes – it’s natural for him and where he truly excels.

He struggles to express his feelings and be open about his weaknesses, but we’ll start to see him change as he realizes that family isn’t just about who you’re related to – it’s about finding people where you feel like you belong.

He’s right to be concerned, because Mervin begins to fall apart when his personal problems start affecting his job.

Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) confronts Mervin about his harsh attitude and reprimanding of Seb, urging him not to let his personal issues affect the rest of the team who are working hard.

Throughout the episode, Naomi notices the hidden pain others miss. Mervin arrived on the island hoping to learn about his birth mother, but discovered she had died. While he managed to solve the mystery of her death and find her killer, he was left heartbroken, realizing he’d lost the family connection he longed for.

He’s really hoping to reconnect with the brother he discovered he had last season, but unfortunately, his attempts to reach out haven’t been answered.

During the holiday program, Mervin’s hopes soar when he sees a call coming from Antigua – the area code where his brother lives. But his happiness quickly turns to disappointment when he realizes it isn’t his brother calling.

He’s not comfortable with this situation. He’s always maintained a distance from others, creating an emotional barrier to protect himself.

As he searched for his mother, we watched him gradually let his guard down, becoming increasingly open and vulnerable. This vulnerability, however, led to more frequent and intense emotional outbursts.

When Mervin loses his temper, it reveals his underlying pain and his bravery in being vulnerable. This makes his moments of gentleness, kindness, and patience even more meaningful, as we see him actively working to improve himself.

Offering Seb both an apology and words of support isn’t just about fixing a mistake; it’s a turning point that changes him for the better.

Inviting people over on Boxing Day isn’t just his way of apologizing for disrupting Christmas; it’s him opening up and letting them into his life. He’s sharing his only Christmas tradition – watching The Great Escape – because he genuinely wants to connect with others. This desire for closeness is what makes his character’s journey so moving.

At the end of the episode, Mervin is overjoyed when he finally connects with his brother on the phone. A hopeful, almost innocent, feeling shines through his usually reserved exterior.

We’re seeing a side of Mervin eager for change, and his story arc in Death in Paradise is all about him finding that freedom. Get ready, fans, because it’s going to be a beautiful, though somewhat winding, journey.

You can watch Death in Paradise, Beyond Paradise, and Return to Paradise on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Read more Beyond Paradise news on our dedicated homepage

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2025-12-29 01:20