Christmas Special

I was extremely happy to see the new DI be someone vigorous and have a good strong personality, instead of all (and I do mean ALL) of the previous DI's who were somewhat nebbishy in one respect or another. Humphrey is the only one I can think of who embraced the island lifestyle right away, but even he, with his mumbling stammering quirks was a bit much. I hope the new guy stays. Other reviewers are complaining about him being unlikeable but I found it hugely refreshing. Though when Patterson went into his "we are a small island with a small police force" speech, I muttered sotto voce that they still happen to have a murder every week, so they ought to have a more robust force. Anyway, looking forward to the rest of the season. DJJ's turning into a caricature (and I can't think of him as anything other than The Cat anyway, despite all the seasons he's been on this show), so if he really is leaving - which I hadn't learned until reading other reviews - it won't be so bad.

This is my favorite show, but this 2024 Christmas special was really boring. I found I had to keep rewinding because I wasn't interested enough to listen the first time through. As always scenery is gorgeous.

Yes, great to bring in a new DI, but why make him so unlikeable? I don't mean the characters not liking him, I mean the audience. Yawn, so far snooze alert. Writers need to get better character development for him.

Had such high hopes for a new Season start, with new DI... but I was bored to Death (in Paradise). Really hope the Season finds it's groove, and the writers pick up the interest levels.

Side note- Why does the DI have to be a man?? After 5 of them now.... a woman would be a lot more interesting. I kept thinking it is falling into the Dr Who chauvinist trap, always having to say "yes sir" to the man in charge. Combined with how they are trying to build the new DI personality as rude, definitely need to Rethink the rude and curt of this new DI. It doesn't play as a quirky character, all it does is imitate men in reality (being rude to the female characters). Why force us to suffer through watching chauvinism on TV, too?

I also keep hoping they round out the other characters with their stories built better. So much possibilities to develop Naomi & Darlene along with a new DI and Dwayne's replacement.

And definitely more Harry scenes- still the best ones of the show.

DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) is on holiday in Saint Marie and is having a miserable time. Deciding to cut his trip short, Wilson finds his departure delayed.

Commissioner Selwyn Patterson needs a new DI fast. Two men dressed up as Santa Claus were killed the evening before. It seems at the same time and with the same gun. Both of them were on different locations.

Later it transpired, another man dressed up in a Santa outfit was shot at. He survived but again at the same time and the same gun and different location.

Wilson does not want to be on the island but he is puzzled by the case. His manner might seem abrupt and grumpy but at least he is giving the case his full attention. Even though he becomes a suspect himself.

Death in Paradise undergoes another change. This time it is a black policeman from the UK. With a backstory that he has links to the island, something he came to Saint Marie to explore.

The case itself was enjoyable even if the solution was a little bit over the top. I liked Wilson's surprise when asked to gather up the suspects.

I'm giving this a 7 for the new DI, and while the plot was decent, Dwayne's over-the-top performance and poor Caribbean accent detracted from the episode. I'm relieved that we won't see him or Ruby in the upcoming season-let's hope that's the last we hear from them.

I hope the new DI continues the trend of avoiding the quirky behaviors seen in the last two DI's. It would be great if the replacement junior officer isn't over-the-top either, as the show should maintain a light-hearted tone without needing a kooky character. A little situational humor among all the characters could really enhance the experience. I'm looking forward to seeing what Season 14 has in store for us!

Two men, both dressed up as Father Christmas are killed, apparently at the same time, with the same gun. Without a Detective in place, The Commissioner Patterson enlists the help of travelling British Detective, Mervyn Wilson.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, the show looks set for another great run, I feel like we're in safe hands with Don Gilet, Mervyn is straight talking, blunt, and lacking in some of the quirkiness of his predecessors.

I loved that it was a Christmas themed story, and not just a standard story with tinsel and sparkle, the whole Father Christmas killings storyline was great.

More serious in tone that most episodes, but of course there are lighter moments, and some humorous scenes, just devoid of silly walks and falling over at will.

I felt the show needed a change, and I think Don Gilet is the man for the job, can anyone explain how on Earth he can be 57 years old, he looks twenty years younger than that. I really liked his back story, I'm so excited to see where he takes the show, and vice versa.

Good performances from Angela Griffin, Elizabeth Carling and Jim Howick.

Bring on series 14.

9/10.