Mikes Film Talk

Beyond Paradise is opens at the run up to Christmas. Humphrey and Martha are experiencing their first “Christmas” fostering assignment. A ghost makes an unwelcome appearance and DI Goodman has to figure things out.

This is a splendid season intro. Ghosts and Christmas have been tradition since Dickens. Trust Beyond Paradise to keep things traditional. This spin off of Death in Paradise is still delivering a fun and likeable show.

The story

Martha and Humphry get their first Christmas foster. Widower Bob Fowler is being haunted by his late wife and the Virgin Mary is stolen from the local church. Are these all tied together?

The cast

Kris Marshall is DI Humphrey Goodman.

Sally Bretton is Martha Lloyd.

Zahra Ahmadi is DSI Esther Williams.

Dylan Llewellyn is PC Kelby Hartford.

Felicity Montagu Margo Martins.

Jade Harrison is Chief Superintendent Charlie Woods.

Barbara Flynn is Anne Lloyd.

Melina Sinadinou is Zoe Williams.

Guest starring

Mark Heap is Bob Holland.

Seann Walsh is Colin Bensted.

Tamla Kari is Fiona Bensted.

Austin Taylor is Jaidem.

Choice moments

The tale of a man’s late wife telling him to leave their home is full of choice moments:

“Nutmeg makes you go all doolally.” Martha tells Humphrey at the show’s start. Apparently someone in her family saw Bruce Forsyth licking sugar off their mince pies. This was after ingesting too much of the spice.

*For Non British audiences, this reference may make little sense. Forsyth was a true entertainment legend. Click the link and see his more than impressive bona fides over on IMDb.*

Kelby still has the crush of all crushes on the “Sup.”

The Death in Paradise “walkthrough” still works wonderfully.

The touching moment where we learn what’s eating Jaidem.

The continuing romance between our two main protagonists keeps delivering those warm fuzzy feelings.

Beyond Paradise still works

The show still works as both mystery and continuing love story. All the crimes committed do not quite reach the Jonathan Creek level of ingenious, but they are impressive by their own right. This episode was a tad reminiscent of the old Alan Davies series where magic played a certain part in solving the crimes inn each episode.

The chemistry between Marshall and Bretton is still there and it was lovely see the character of “momma” Lloyd well and truly thawed at the start of season 3.

The verdict

This opening episode of Beyond Paradise season 3 scores a solid 5 stars. The show comes out of the gate impressively. *Although it has to be noted that Humphry is a bit more clumsy this season.* The series streams on Britbox.