Death in Paradise season 14 episode 1 spoilers follow.
Death in Paradise's season 14 debut episode was a gut-punch of an episode from the jump. Introducing the viewers to a new recruit (Anthony J Abraham's Benjamin) of the Saint Marie police force via his powerfully uplifting and inspiring social media post, only to kill him off instantly, was cruel.
Expected, as the show is always front-loaded with murder, but still hard to watch.
This, however, was just the start of what turned out to be one of the most emotionally-charged episodes of the show.
The creators followed up Benjamin's tragedy later on in the episode with Don Gilet's DI Mervin Wilson (who is still pretending he doesn't want the island-based job) learning the details surrounding his mother's death.
Mervin's measured response to finding out about his mother's accidental death at sea was tinged with tears that stubbornly refused to spill and Mervin getting choked up for extended beat in which we glimpsed his vulnerability. It was a beautiful moment that Gilet delivered with a special blend of reserved tenderness.
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It was in the final moments of the show, however, that the real blow was delivered, and we're not talking about Benjamin's mother's emotional outburst at learning that he was killed by her other son (although that too was moving). We're talking about the sledgehammer news JP (Toby Bakare) delivered to Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington).
Before departing for Jamaica again, JP gave the Commissioner the heads up about the Police Headquarters' intention to 'streamline' operations at Saint Marie. He broke things down further when he told his old boss: "Your position, Commissioner: they're going to dissolve it."
Warrington's shocked expression mirrored our own, gently shaking his head in disbelief before stuttering a heartfelt thanks to JP for letting him know and ushering him along to catch his plane.
The heaviness that lingered after was almost tangible, not just for the Commissioner but for fans who were also left wondering how Saint Marie's police force could possibly run without Selwyn.
The termination of his role gives Mervin, as the lead detective, no one to answer to. There's no authority figure to challenge or rebel against or to prove anything to. The absence of that dynamic would sap an enjoyable tension fans have come to expect from the show.
If that's not enough to wrestle with, the Commissioner being forced out could mean the end of Warrington's time on the show. One could hardly envisage civilian Selwyn sipping rum and coke at Catherine's Bar all day long. The lack of an active case would drive him out of his wits.
Could Selwyn be off to find a place where his services are needed? In which case could Don Warrington be leaving Death in Paradise?
Warrington spoke to Radio Times about Selwyn's arc this season, stating: "It's very distressing. His life is being turned upside down, but he has to deal with the reality, it's beyond his control."
When asked whether the turn of events could lead to his departure, Warrington replied: "Well, who knows? Anything can happen in this life."
Don Warrington's Commissioner Selwyn is one of Death in Paradise's longest-standing characters, having been there since the very first episode, so it is feasible that the actor could feel it is time for a new challenge. Yet it's also impossible to imagine the show without his charm.
The Commissioner is more than just a warm heart often concealed by a stern look and a formidable presence, he is the foundation for a show that thrives in the shifting of lead detectives – in part because of the consistency that Warrington helps to bring.
Let's hope it is not the end of the road for Selwyn just yet.
Death in Paradise and its spin-off, Beyond Paradise, both air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer.
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
