2025 brings us a new DI (That’s Detective Inspector, by the way.) for season 14 of Death in Paradise and he learns manners. At least from Darlene who is not going to let this one go. “Please,” being the first one he begrudgingly picks up. The reluctant DI from London, is not quite snared by the St Marie trap that has caught so many, but it is happening.
Death in Paradise Episode 1
Officer Benjamin Brice is on his was to start his new career as a St Marie police officer. Unfortunately, he has an accident on his bicycle and dies. DI Wilson, on his way to the airport; on his way home, passes by the crime scene and declares the whole thing suspicious.
He is right.
The Cast
Don Gilet is DI Mervin Wilson.
Don Warrington is Commissioner Selwyn Patterson.
Elizabeth Bourgine is Catherine Bordey.
Shantol Jackson is DSI Naomi Thomas.
Ginny Holder is Officer Darlene Curtis.
Guest starring
Anthony J. Abraham is Officer Benjamin Brice.
Michelle Greenidge is Paulette Brice.
Stephen Odubola is Karlus Brice.
Mark Holden is Damon Clark.
Special Guest Star
Tobi Bakare is Sergeant JP Hooper.
The Mystery
Benjamin Bryce, before he dies, scratches into the dirt: ARIAM. Wilson realises that Bryce scratched “Maria” backwards. Thus begins the hunt for a killer named Maria.
Wilson is learning
Wilson is learning, and so is his soon to be permanent team. While we are speaking of learning; Commissioner Pattison learns from former teammate Sgt Hooper, that his position is for the chop. Nothing personal old chap, part of the “streamlining” of the force initiative.
Wilson may have learned to reluctantly say, “please,” but he is learning other things as well. Such as why the ceiling fan runs so slowly. *A brilliant comic moment that was, to an extent, signposted. It was nonetheless very laugh out loud funny.
The new DI also learns something about his mum. This bit of new information leaves the door open for the London detective inspector to stay with his new roommate Larry, aka Harry.
It’s working
Death in Paradise may be working but only just. There is a sense of upheaval in the 14th season. Patterson possibly being on the way out does threaten the ensemble feel of the show.
However…
Wilson as the new somewhat grating Detective Inspector, DI, may turn out to be a grain of badly needed sand. With the Honore police force as oyster, DI Wilson could be the pearl that takes us back to the missing lustre of the show.
One thing that is working, however, is Wilson’s willingness to let his team think for themselves. Stepping in only as an aid to their summations. It leads one to believe that he may eventually become the best fit yet to this brilliant ensemble.
the verdict
Death is Paradise has picked up that missing star percentage. It now easily earns a 4.75 on the old star chart. Gilet may still be annoying at best, but it appears that was the plan from the very start. The addition of a local connection for the new lad may see things right yet.
Death is Paradise streams on BritBox with an apparent lag from the BBC airing in the UK.
the season 14 trailer
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