Beyond Paradise’s season 3 finale was almost perfect, but should follow Death in Paradise in one key way
It's time for a format shake-up.
Last season Beyond Paradise proved it didn’t need the ‘Will They/Won’t They’ of Martha (Sally Bretton) and Humphrey (Kris Marshall) to deliver a stunning finale episode.
Topping season one’s dramatic ending (which saw Martha fly to Saint Marie to reunite with Humphrey), the Death in Paradise spin-off derailed the central couple’s wedding which resulted in the most romantic non-ceremony ever. Beyond Paradise has now done it again, with season three’s near-perfecting ending.
The finale episode saw lovable returning character Josh Woods (Chris Jenks) put through the emotional wringer when his girlfriend was kidnapped.
The show then upped the ante with an Esther (Zahra Ahmadi) and Archie (Jamie Bamber) cliffhanger. Despite initially deciding to give their relationship a go, Esther pulled back on her decision at the very last minute, unable to overcome her angst over starting a relationship.
Their interaction at the close of the episode left a lingering feeling of sadness, which felt apt given Esther’s journey in particular over the season. Esther’s relationship with Archie had softened her in a way that broke down her barriers, allowing her to be less fearful about engaging in a romance.
Seeing her on the precipice of giving love a chance, only to then bolt, was the perfect way to leave viewers wanting more.
Related: The ultimate Death in Paradise oral history: the creator and stars tell the whole story
However the most heartbreaking moment came from Martha, Humphrey and Rosie (Bella Rei Blue Stevenson).
Martha and Humphrey were rocked by the sudden news that they would have to say goodbye to foster daughter Rosie. Rosie, who had come to adore them too, was also unsettled by the change.
Through this Beyond Paradise was able to explore another complicated facet of fostering, with Rosie admitting to feeling “happy and sad” about leaving the pair to be reunited with her mother.
Humphrey broke when he revealed that he didn’t expect her going to “hurt so much” and his sadness is in such juxtaposition to the optimistic, sunshine person that he usually is – which felt really impactful. So too did Martha’s feelings.
However, despite the finale being emotional and quietly brilliant, the episode and the season overall would have been much more impactful had the show followed the same format as Death in Paradise with an eight episode run instead of six.
The relationship between Martha, Humphrey and Rosie is a prime example of that. Their fostering storyline is one that would have benefited greatly from a longer run.
Milestone moments – such as Rosie warming to Humphrey’s idiosyncrasies and the overall bonding process – were not mined over enough, and so felt rushed.
Bretton and Marshall are so natural, having lived in these characters for so long, that it helped to offset some of that pacing. However it would have felt much more appropriately tearjerking when Rosie left, had the audience been able to watch their journey develop a little more deeply.
In the same vein, it would have been nice to see Esther and Archie spend more time comfortably in each other’s presence. Beyond Paradise was right to play the slow burn with these two, given Esther’s reservations, however there was less time to see them enjoying their romance.
Perhaps if the show had been given the same episodic run as the main show, there may even have been time to have taken Kelby’s (Dylan Lleweylln) growth further with a meatier storyline. But alas, we shall never know.
Still, fans can’t be too upset, Beyond Paradise‘s season three finale was still the show’s best. Not only did it take Martha and Humphrey’s relationship to new depths, it also allowed its side characters to step further into the spotlight in a meaningful way making fans crave a season four already.
Let’s hope that with a green light comes a longer run so that viewers can really get to know Shipton Abbott’s finest on a deeper level.
Beyond Paradise and Death in Paradise both air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer.
