There’s one real reason Death in Paradise’s new character is on the show

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In the newest installment of “Death in Paradise“, the police force based in Saint Marie is growing, as a new character named Officer Sebastian (Seb) Rose, played by Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, enters the scene for the first time.

Instead of the calm and dependable character Benjamin Brice (Anthony J Abraham), who met an untimely end last week, is now replaced by a zealous, energetic police officer. This newcomer didn’t have the chance to wear his crisp, ironed uniform for the first time.

Though officer Brice captured our hearts right from the start with his emotional introduction, making him a beloved and unforgettable, albeit temporary, character, Seb proves to be a more suitable addition to the police force.

In Death in Paradise, a fresh Detective Inspector can’t function effectively without their team, and the masterminds responsible for the series made an astute decision by incorporating Seb into Mervin’s squad.

Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson, portrayed by Don Gilet, contrasts starkly with the cheerful and composed characters of Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Darlene Curtis (Ginny Holder). His single-mindedness is often tinged with irritability, a result of his reluctance to adapt to island life in Saint Marie.

Darlene and Naomi consider Mervin’s behavior as brusque, disrespectful, and impolite. Despite his negative attitude that occasionally provides a touch of humor due to the tension it creates, they remain polite in return since he is straightforward yet open to communication. As a result, they don’t provoke him much.

Simply put, Seb stands out as a stark contrast to Mervin right from their initial encounter, given that they are polar opposites by nature.

Imagine Mervin, neatly dressed in his pressed linen shirts and standing out with his pineapple costume, welcoming his new recruit on the bustling street as he promotes the smoothie bar. If you’ve watched the episode, there’s no need to visualize it, as you would have seen it unfold before your eyes.

Mervin questioned Commissioner Selwyn’s decision with a hint of doubt in his eyes, saying, “I must admit, I’m not entirely convinced about this plan.” However, there wasn’t time for debate. In an instant, Seb, who had been blending smoothies (grooving guava and popping pineapple), was suddenly part of the team without any further discussion.

The expression on the Commissioner’s face clearly showed his delight with these recent developments, and it’s not hard to see why. Seb seems to be exactly the type of problem that Mervin thrives on solving.

In contrast to Mervin’s quick temper and lack of patience, his counterpart exhibits a lively character and enthusiasm for life. This stark difference often leads to humorous situations, as demonstrated in their initial encounter on the show.

After the reveal of the villain in the circular setting, Mervin’s expose brought out an overwhelming surge of energy from Seb. Impressed beyond measure by what he had witnessed, Seb turns to Mervin, who he refers to as ‘just an inspector’, and expresses his awe: “That was the most incredible thing I have ever seen in my life, hands down, respect man.

Mervin doesn’t break stride as he gives Seb a cold, unyielding stare when Seb tries to give him a congratulatory fist-bump. Ali-Yebuah’s comedic talent comes alive in this scene, evident in the way he bows dramatically and swings his arm, showing his appreciation for Mervin. His sincere demeanor is on full display in this affectionate gesture, which is further emphasized by Mervin’s offended expression. It’s a subtle yet brilliantly funny instance of comedy brilliance.

On a stronger foundation, these contrasting traits can foster tension that might eventually lead to personal development for both characters. Seb could challenge Mervin by pushing him beyond his safe boundaries, while Mervin may guide Seb’s energy and channel it more productively.

This is something that would have been lost if Brice had stayed on board.

The production requires Seb’s dynamic presence, which adds balance to the group by contrasting with others while maintaining a cheerful demeanor that irritates Mervin and Ali-Yebuah. His role fits him well in creating this tension.

death in paradise and its sequel, beyond paradise, can be found on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Similarly, the one show is aired on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer as well.

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2025-02-08 01:49