I don’t know if you are all familiar with Death in Paradise – if you aren’t I’m afraid this might not be the post for you.
It’s average. The setting, a Caribbean Island, is outstanding, the cast is strong and they work well together, and the lead actors have all been good. Some of the plots have been as good as anything you will find anywhere, others have been weak. Last night’s, I felt, was weak, far-fetched and was on shaky ground ballistically. In these days we have all been trained by CSI we all expect good science.
The plots are also formulaic, with a set-up, a moment where the Inspector has a revelation, and gathering of suspects for a Christie style denouement. Unfortunately they often fail to develop character in the suspects and I’m not really bothered who did it, or if there are consequences.
That’s not to say I don’t like the series, I do. It’s pleasant and easy to watch, the plots are mostly acceptable and there are plenty of secondary stories to keep me pleasantly involved.
Regarding the main actors – the Detective Inspectors from London – they have all been slightly quirky and have all been played by decent actors. I like Ben Miller and I like Kris Marshall, and they both played the part well. I was a little concerned over Ardal O’Hanlon as he was a bigger name than the other two, and could well have overpowered it, but he didn’t. I had no worries with Ralf Little coming in because he’s done some good stuff over the years. And I was wrong.
I have no problem with Ralf Little as an actor, and from what I’ve seen and read think he seems like a good bloke, but he has been saddled with such an unbelievable and dislikeable character that it isn’t working for me. And as the formulaic quirky DI begins to creak the whole nature of the programme starts to fail.
This, of course, is just my opinion. I’m not a drama critic, and I set out to write a blog post about medallions, so have been side-tracked again. Did anyone else see it, and if you did, what did you think?
Sorry about the photos – it’s the best I can do, as photos of the Caribbean aren’t really a feature of my work.
Banknote from Suriname
I will ask Richard what he thinks as he often watches the series. I, like Mr T. spend my evenings reading blog posts and unlike him, falling asleep at the kitchen table.
🙂 There are worse ways to spend your time. I find sleeping while sitting up is better for my back. 🙂
It is! I am in agony after a night in my bed but not so after an hour sleeping in a kitchen chair.
I have p-romised myself a new mattress this year. 🙂
🙂 We have a new mattress which suits Richard but unfortunately, not me. 🙁
Yes, I know that feeling. 🙂
🙂
PS – yes, it would be good to know what Richard thinks.
I have asked him and unfortunately he hasn’t seen any of the episodes with Ralf Little 🙁
Ah well, if he does watch any I’ll be interested in his view.
🙂
We haven’t seen the latest one because we record them and watch when we feel like something light and frothy. I think your assessment is perfect.
I will try not to spoil it for you…
🙂
🙂
I am not familiar with the TV series you mentioned. I do love that hummingbird bank note though!
🙂
Because I now spend my life reading amusing and informative blogs, I have no time to watch the telly (except for Only Connect and occasional horse racing on wet afternoons) so I have no opinion on your programme.
I just watched Celebrity Mastermind. Ade Edmondson won, with more points than the other three combined. The only one of the other three I’d heard of was Gareth Thomas. Not very impressive. I’m seriously going to review my TV watching habits. I think I could cope with Only Connect and horse racing.
I haven’t seen the latest series with the guy after O’Hanlan. I’ve liked them all, though; they’re frothy and fun and short and the characterizations do seem to deepen with each new ensemble. With luck, the episode that drove you to a bad review will just be a fluke.
I’d like to think so, it would be a shame to spoil it all after such a great run.