Beyond Paradise’s underwhelming season 3 debut is no reason to give up on the show

With “Death in Paradise” wrapping up its thrilling 14th season, “Beyond Paradise” steps in to keep fans entertained for the upcoming six weeks, providing a temporary escape from a Paraverse-less reality.

The third season of the returning spin-off series kicks off as expected, with a mysterious murder.

When a corpse is discovered floating in a river along the border between Devon and Cornwall, local authorities automatically suspect it’s an unfortunate case of drowning. In this scenario, we’re talking about the Cornwall police department, who promptly find themselves at odds with Humphrey (Kris Marshall) and Esther (Zahra Ahmadi) over which jurisdiction should handle the investigation.

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However, “Beyond Paradise” implies that trouble is brewing, so it’s only fitting that Marshall’s Humphrey is the one to uncover whatever suspicious activities are taking place.

Compared to the captivating and thrilling start of season two, the third episode of Beyond Paradise falls short on charm and intrigue (it should be noted that it’s quite challenging to surpass the allure of a murder-mystery nested within another).

In Shipton Abbott’s recent murder case, the strange and improbable circumstances leave viewers with another captivating mystery to solve. Yet, suspicions point towards a single individual as the likely culprit. It’s unfortunate indeed.

In the typical structure of this series, it’s safe to assume that a murder takes place. This, in turn, suggests that the cause of death is unlikely to be an accident, even though ‘Beyond Paradise’ presents this as the sole alternative explanation for this particular fatality.

Not knowing the identity of the killer lessens the excitement when watching, giving a sense of disappointment and anticlimax to this weekly mystery case.

It’s nice to see that Esther and Humphrey bring some amusement to the situation with their interactions with people from Cornwall. Amadi’s humor is evident in Esther’s annoyances, while Humphrey’s tactical maneuvers for superiority are composed yet entertaining.

Fans get to see familiar faces like Kelby (Dylan Llewellyn) and Margo (Felicity Montagu) again, both of whom bring charm and wit to their roles, completing the ensemble cast. Archie (Jamie Bamber), Martha’s (Sally Bretton) ex-fiancé, also makes a comeback, although his presence might not be as well-received by everyone.

The smooth-talking wine expert doesn’t shy away from causing a stir, and even after a long break, his flirty demeanor remains unchanged. However, the episode itself seems rather dull and unexciting.

Instead of thinking the series has become complacent by sticking to a familiar storyline, it seems like the third season is actually setting up more substantial stories that will carry powerful emotional impacts in the future.

Martha’s mom, Anne (played by Barbara Flynn), serves as a strong illustration of this point. The second episode sneak peek suggests that the mysterious incidents from the season premiere will be further developed, and it seems Archie’s actions in the upcoming episode won’t be a solitary occurrence.

It’s not hidden either that Humphrey and Martha may encounter difficulties during the current season, particularly in their foster care, since they are receiving their initial long-term placement, an nine-year-old child.

The strong duo of Marshall and Bretton play a crucial role in the series, so viewers eagerly anticipate seeing them display their mutual affection for a fragile child, complete with the complexities and tender moments that such a situation entails.

Beyond Paradise and Death in Paradise both air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer.

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2025-03-29 00:49