Beyond Paradise

Was really looking forward to this death in paradise spin off, especially as Kris Marshal was one of my favourite DIs from the series, and also because being a West Country boy it's set in my part of the world.

Filmed in Cornwall but bizzatly set in Devon, obviously didn't want to be seen to be mimicking Doc Martin too closely, although actually it's just a police version of doc Martin with a less grumpy lead. Just like Doc Martin & other West Country based series such as the dreadful McDonald and Dodds the actors have been sent to the same school of generic West Country accent coaching, (clearly based in the middle of Bristol) and ridiculously unsubtle, over the top and of course spoken by every single resident.

The locals are depicted as the stereotypical dumb village idiots which is just boringly tedious, plane lazy and unimaginative writing.

You couldn't get away with depicting any other social group in this way these days but here we are yet again!

The police officers in death in paradise weren't written as being imbeciles so why are they in this, especially the incredibly irritating older female secretary character.

It's a shame because this stupidity really ruins what could be an acceptable series, the fact it's different mysteries rather than murders is an interesting touch and of course some lovely scenery and touching moments between Humphrey and Martha. However the tiring carrot crunching yokel routine just ruins it.

You can mix comedy with more serious issues as shown in Death in Paradise and other successful pats series such as Heartbeat, but beyond paradise just come across as being an idiotic farce than amusing light hearted police drama.

We cannot help but compare this series to Death in Paradise. DiP instantly showed its core identity and we were hooked. It was crime-solving with true friendship, joviality, trusted teammates and likeable characters. We enjoyed them in their off-time as if we were part of their merry making. The writers achieved a unique and tight balance; well written and a pleasure to watch, season after season.

I just finished season 1 of Beyond Paradise. I am disappointed at the product that has been delivered to a pre-existing captive audience! It struggles to find its identity: Is it a comedy, a comedy/drama or just a dark drama? BP has few likeable characters, it is thin on comedy. We want DI Goodman to be clumsy and endearing, to excel in his work and enjoy a home life - the formula we loved. Instead he is living a sad undercurrent at home. He has no reprieve from sleuthing. The best supporting character was supposed to be his fiancee. She instead offers nothing but pain. It is dark and depressing. We did not sign up for a soap opera home life. It distracts from the story and is a major disappointment that does not serve the series or its audience well. I would not be surprised if it is cancelled unless they change tack.

Enjoyable to watch, but please follow some of the examples provided by the original series which is super popular and in season 8. First you have Martha with a cafe or better yet a pub. Use it to develop the characters, give them some more depth and interest, like the ocean-side bar in Death in Paradise.

Directors and writers just tease us with the quirky young policeman and the secretary. In Death in Paradise we get hours of and background about the crazy locals. Why don't they do the same here instead of all that boring IVF, depressing Martha and her bully mother. I can't imagine any couple involved in IVF, when Martha is just opening a cafe and the Humphrey starting a new job at a new precinct. The director is probably male. They've barely unpacked their stuff on a boat around episode 3 and they dive into IVF, plus why is everyone drinking if trying to get pregnant.........save all that stuff for a season 3 or 4. Stick with developing the locale and the locals.

And why Archie? Humphrey is the sweetest, kindest of all the St. Marie detectives, why drag in a super handsome ex for Martha especially the first season. Martha's mother could help with cafe instead of just standing or sitting around doing nothing but criticize her daughter. I feel that any of us fans of the original show could write and direct a 10 times better script than what is being filmed and shown.

Until the ex-fiancé was introduced into the mix. She's that naive to think it's okay and it's strictly a business arrangement and it's going to stay that way. And Humphrey is okay with it. Humphrey is enough of a clueless dork who spends money on another useless boat, that we don't need Archie in the story to cause friction. Humphrey does that on his own well enough. Reverse the roles and let's see if she would be okay with an ex coming into the picture... Was interested in this to see if I would enjoy it as I was a fan of Death In Paradise, but it's more of the same predictable writing. Same old predictable tropes that are still prevalent in the year 2023. I'll pass if the writing doesn't improve.

DI Humphrey Goodman takes up his new post in Devon, leaving The Caribbean well and truly in the past.

If you're a fan of Death in Paradise, you should like it, if you were a fan of Kris Marshall's spell in Saint Marie, then I think you're going to love it.

It's different enough from Death in Paradise, to not just be DiP without the weather, but there's also something very familiar and cosy about it.

It's quite light, it's verging on afternoon drama, but it's engaging, intriguing enough, and has a few laughs.

Spinoffs don't always work, and very few seem to last, but there's enough here, providing it does well, for this to run.

I adored Humphrey, and he's as goofy here as he was before, but additionally he's as sharp, clever and observant, he's lost none of his quirkiness, none of his character, he's picked up exactly where he left off.

It's nicely produced, it's an area I know very well, mixing up Devon and Cornwall, that's going to rile a few people, hopefully it'll put both counties on the map.

It's a winner, 8/10.