Death in Paradise’s Don Gilet can thrive in his new role – if the show does one key thing

As a longtime fan of Death in Paradise who’s seen more episodes than I care to admit, let me tell you that Don Gilet as Mervin Wilson feels like a breath of fresh air! The man oozes confidence and quick wit, which is a much-needed change of pace.

Good news, Death in Paradise fans: Don Gilet feels like a fresh, unique addition to the series!

The bad news? There’s very little fresh or unique going on around him – for now, at least.

During the holiday season on the island of Saint Marie, Gilet’s character Mervin Wilson is drawn there for personal, albeit sad, circumstances. However, he’s pulled into an unexpected situation when three Santa Clauses are wounded during the festivities (rest assured, they’re not the genuine Santa Claus).

This upcoming Death in Paradise episode maintains a cozy and consistent, yet possibly repetitive, feel, based on your current state of mind.

Beyond the inclusion of Don Gillet himself, who brings a truly unique perspective to the ‘unwilling detective inspector’ part.

After producing a series of charmingly clumsy characters with mixed results over the past 13 years, it’s invigorating to introduce a Detective Inspector who is self-assured, sharp-tongued, and almost overconfident – offering a shift in tone that feels essential as the show was approaching a point of becoming repetitive.

Nevertheless, although he brings a fresh element to his presentation, his initial appearance lacked the innovative spark that truly revolutionizes the scene.

After so many years of peculiar so-and-sos leading their team, you’d think the staff at Honoré Police Station would be used to their new detectives having quirky behaviours, and that they’d accept that those new detectives probably aren’t going to be overjoyed at taking on a stressful situation against their will.

Following four earlier individuals encountering the identical predicament, it’s reasonable to assume that they would confidently rely on the following individual to complete the task, employing their unique, albeit peculiar methods, despite occasionally voicing concerns or complaints.

Wow, you know, I’ve found myself drawn into Saint Marie’s unique and, some might say, borderline legal methods of crime-solving. Even the commissioner seems to be warming up to it! Selwyn Patterson, played by Don Warrington, has subtly suggested that I should employ a “Poirot” approach when unmasking the true culprit – a hint I won’t ignore.

Instead of primarily focusing on familiar storylines and character dynamics that seem excessive and outdated, one might question why this group, typically known for their progressive and carefree attitudes, is depicted with such strained relationships in this episode.

Watching Shantol Jackson’s character DS Naomi Thomas roll her eyes while Mervin plays basketball unexpectedly feels like hard work, since Neville (Ralf Little) has explored unusual paths to uncover the truth on numerous occasions before.

Although the commissioner appears to have a friendlier rapport with Mervin compared to his past counterparts, he continues to come across as excessively domineering towards an evidently skilled detective who postponed his return home to offer assistance. Show some leniency, Selwyn!

As soon as the show leaves behind these tedious aspects, the Gilet era will have a better chance to truly shine.

Despite being constructed around the fish-out-of-water theme, Death in Paradise has consistently shone brightest when it features a stable, cohesive team of characters who are friendly, supportive, and build authentic relationships with one another.

By season 2, Ben Miller’s character DI Richard Poole and DS Camille Bordey (played by Sara Martins) had developed a playful banter that was entertainingly antagonistic, yet they also formed a deeper connection. Similarly, Kris Marshall’s character Humphrey took on a guiding role for JP (Tobi Bakare), assisting him in his personal and professional development.

Although its title might suggest otherwise, it’s the tender moments throughout this series that truly make it worthwhile, not the cases themselves.

For season 14 to thrive, it should be built on these moments.

A positive indication is that, right away, we notice potential clues about the types of interactions or events that might unfold in the coming year.

Briefly, Mervin and Naomi have demonstrated an ability to communicate openly and honestly, engaging in surprising emotional conversations that revealed aspects of Mervin’s inner self.

Furthermore, it’s clear that Mervin values his team deeply, as DI Wilson managed to heap praise on the Honoré team in just an hour, a feat that required Richard Poole two full seasons to accomplish.

In the forthcoming season of Death in Paradise, they might expand upon their current approach, and if they do, it could prove very successful.

So far, Gilet’s casting seems like just what the show needed – a fresh boost. Now, the focus is on crafting compelling characters and relationships that will allow the new detective to further capitalize on this promising beginning.

Here’s hoping it happens.

2024-12-23 09:34

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