Death in Paradise - Series 4

I freely confess, I have not always been an avid fan of Death in Paradise. My interest was initially peaked when stuffy English copper Ben Miller rocked up on a beautiful Caribbean beach back in 2011, yet for the following couple of years my interest wavered. Even when Kris Marshall took over last year it took a while for me to get back into it, but now with Series 4 having just finished, I am happy to say I am now a regular watcher, and I am feeling mostly positive about what I have seen. So, this is a look at the most recent fourth series, but also my pros and cons regarding whether one can actually enjoy Death in Paradise.

Firstly, the concept whilst not being the strongest of them all, is appealing. Four series in and critics have criticized the very repetitive nature of each episode plot; a round about murder mystery, always over and done with in an hour, initially pondered on but eventually solved by a quirky Englishman, aided by his native team in a fantastically exotic location. Fine, this is one opinion, and it may even be a valid one, but that is not to say Death in Paradise is not done with plenty of wit and charm.

Yes the location is important in terms of audience appeal, perhaps more so than almost every other BBC show, but it adds to the healthy amount of character and pleasant outcome that is almost always served up week on week.

Talking of character, let us look at a couple of those now.

Yes Ben Miller was a great lead, and sound choice to introduce us to the series, but I personally find Kris Marshall to be infinitely better. His DI Humphrey Goodman leads the charge with oodles of likability. Marshall's natural affable nature translates effortlessly on screen, and add this to a charming sense of wit, humour, and ability to dish out his own edge and you have a very creditable series lead.

I understand why the writers have seen off (though possibly temporarily) the delicious and brilliant Sara Martins half way through this series, but I do lament the loss of her character. The chemistry she has with every other character (especially that of Kris Marshall) is fantastic, and the moment she looked like leaving I found myself willing her to return. New female Josephine Jobert is a good addition, but I feel she would have been much better off working in tandem with Marshall and Martins, and not as an alternative. 

As I say, I am no Death in Paradise aficionado, but it seems to me that if all you want is a feisty, exotic, witty, just edgy enough hour's worth of quality BBC entertainment, than you like me must surely come round to the Caribbean crime caper. You will have your chance as happily - it is returning for a fifth series next year which I am sure will be just as sublime as the last.