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Death in Paradise: Why Commissioner Selwyn’s obnoxious replacement should actually be loved by fans

BBG News

Death in Paradise season 14 episode 6 spoilers follow.

This season of “Death in Paradise” has introduced a new character, but let’s not jump to conclusions about them quite yet. While Officer Sebastian Rose (played by Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) was warmly welcomed, this newcomer hasn’t had the smoothest debut so far.

As soon as Commissioner Sterling Fox, known from the show ‘Holby City’ and portrayed by Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge, arrived in town, his flamboyant personality was evident for all to see – and he started causing trouble right away, stirring up feathers among the locals.

If you found Detective Inspector Mervin, played by Don Gilbert, a bit brusque upon his arrival, then you’ll find yourself yearning for those days after Sterling makes an appearance, as he will undoubtedly make you miss the old ways of Mervin.

Sterling’s irritable manner towards Selwyn at their initial encounter suggested that the newly appointed chief of the St Marie Police force intended to create conflict.

To his former position-holder,” he asserted, conveying a hint of superiority and disregard through his tone.

Later, Sterling boldly moved into Selwyn’s domain. He hinted at a desire for change, callously stating that he looked forward to revamping St. Marie, knowing fully well that this meant Selwyn would be displaced from his position.

Later on at the station, his habit of going beyond boundaries resurfaced once more during the encounter with the extended group.

Once formalities were exchanged, the newly appointed leader quickly became involved in their workflow, advocating for improvements in their “work approach” without initially grasping how the team functions.

His aggressive demeanor provoked a stern, critical glance from Mervin, which clearly wasn’t missed. Yet, Sterling doesn’t appear concerned about being well-liked – quite the contrary, it seems he flourishes when disliked and stirs up conflict.

His forceful behavior elicited a sharp, disapproving look from Mervin, which was undeniably noticed. However, Sterling doesn’t seem to care about being liked – in fact, his initial impression suggests that he enjoys being disliked and causing disagreements.

Sterling seems draining to watch, but despite the annoyance, it could be argued that his charismatic demeanor is exactly why supporters, particularly those fond of Selwyn, should be pleased he’s taking over as commissioner instead.

It’s quite obvious that Sterling’s behavior is intentionally unpleasant. It’s unlikely the creators intend for audiences to develop affection for this character.

Unlike Gilet’s character, Mervin, whose initial appearance in “Death in Paradise” was influenced by his strained connection with the island. This strain stemmed from emotional difficulties, such as his loss of his mother, and practical challenges, like adapting to a new environment and a different lifestyle.

Mervin was intended to resonate with the audience, gradually captivating them in a deliberate, gradual manner that mimicked his emotional journey. On the other hand, Sterling’s confrontational actions appear to create an opportunity for Selwyn to prove himself worthy of staying on the force.

And sure enough, this is hinted at in the preview for the next episode.

With the long-awaited inquiry into Dorna’s demise now underway, the new chief, Sterling, aims to stall the process by instructing the Detective Inspector to conclude the case immediately.

Catherine, Elizabeth Bourgine, urges Selwyn to participate by explaining to her longtime companion that it would be a disservice to Mervin if he were to depart without finding resolutions on the island.

In the next scene, Sergeant Selwyn, clad in uniform and radiating determination, appears, followed by a heart-rending moment where Inspector Mervin sheds a tear. This suggests that the series “Death in Paradise” is preparing to tackle more serious or emotional themes.

The teaser seemed confrontational, implying that a conflict or battle for dominance might be looming, possibly with Selwyn at the heart of the dispute.

If you felt anger when Sterling dismissed Selwyn’s title and then insincerely thanked him for his long service, rest assured that the more intolerable Sterling seems, the higher our confidence grows that his time at the station won’t last long.

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

Read more Beyond Paradise news on our dedicated homepage

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2025-03-08 01:56

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