Beyond Paradise's Archie (Jamie Bamber) has been on an uphill battle recently, and it has nothing to do with this week's hilly trek. We're instead talking about his swing-and-miss attempts to easily win Esther's (Zahra Ahmadi) affections, which have left him rather befuddled.
As co-star Sally Bretton told Digital Spy during an exclusive interview: "Archie's a very, very charming man and he's used to his charm working."
However Esther doesn't swoon so easily. And she's not the only one who needs winning over, as Beyond Paradise fans have long had "antipathy" for Bamber's character (his words, not ours) and they continue to do so.
In the comment section of the official Beyond Paradise Instagram account, viewers have decided to voice their continued dislike for the character and his antics on the show. He's been branded "smarmy," with fans calling for the show to "get rid of Mr Slick."
Another added the sentiment: "Don't want to see Esther hooked up with him."
Three episodes of Archie (this season), and viewers can hardly be blamed for their strong feelings. His approach to flirting involves lines like "come on Grandma," and "I read somewhere women of a certain age like to stay in their comfort zone."
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Still, while fans may be justified in their aversion to the Shipton Abbott bachelor, this week's episode showed there may actually still be hope for him yet.
During his date with Esther, Archie intentionally put a halt to his suave, debonair act and took the opportunity to be vulnerable with her.
Related: The ultimate Death in Paradise oral history: the creator and stars tell the whole story
First he opened up about his parents' divorce, and how that affected him as a child, to which she responded: "I know how that goes," also revealing more about herself in those few words than she usually does.
Then later, he confessed that he really wanted to impress her. Not for vanity or to stroke his own ego, but because he actually really cares about what she thinks of him.
While this makes Archie a little more likeable – allowing viewers to see just a smidge beyond the shiny, veneered surface we've come to know so far – where it really succeeds is in the effect that his authenticity has on fan-favourite, Esther.
Esther, with her many walls and her guarded attitude towards men, seems to be growing as a person from even just their limited interactions so far. Though still cautious around him, their fledgling romance is bringing out a lightness in her that has long been smothered by whatever hurt or past experiences she's been carrying.
Through this tentative relationship, she is becoming more open, more vulnerable and more hopeful in nature. Esther has always been firm and strong, a dedicated detective and an even more dedicated mother. She has also readily admitted that she doesn't leave much time for herself.
Judging by her daughter Zoe's (Melina Sinadinou) earlier question about Esther's friendships, it can only be assumed that the only person she has a close relationship with (outside of her team) is Bretton's Sally.
It's nice to see Beyond Paradise's side characters being given room to evolve past what we know of them on the surface and it seems we're getting more of an opportunity to do so with Esther too.
Ahmadi teased that Esther will find this new path challenging, when she told Digital Spy that her character will have to deal with "the complexities of dating when you're not in your 20s and when you are a parent."
"Even as the parent of a slightly older child...and the kind of conflict that you can face when you have those responsibilities, but you also have a responsibility to yourself to have some fun and to have a life of your own as well."
This will be an exciting character journey for Esther to navigate, and for that fans can thank Archie.
And hey, if he's able to pass over Esther's high bar there must be something redeemable about him.
Beyond Paradise and Death in 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.
