As the sixth episode of Beyond Paradise begins, someone breaks into a house, steals jewelry, feeds the dog, and makes a sandwich. The neighbor watches as the intruder leaves. In the morning, DS Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi) speaks to Lucy (Carlyss Peer) about the break-in. Esther asks her to think about anything that might’ve been odd in the last few days. Outside, Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn) tells Esther that one of the neighbors says she saw a figure walking down the side of the house around half past midnight. It looked like they were carrying a sack. Since they were leaving, the neighbor didn’t bother. Kelby is asked to go back in and get the victim’s statement. She is going to check in with the inspector because he isn’t answering his phone.

Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) sits alone by the water. When Esther makes it back to the station, Margo (Felicity Montagu) tells her that Kelby is with a woman who was found drunk last night. Margo remembers another burglar who had a sandwich as well. That refreshes Esther’s memory as she recalls it was Atticus Styles (Spencer Jones). Esther learns that he got 12 months suspended for 2 years. Kelby comes in with the number for someone to come get the woman they have locked up. Esther says she is going out. She runs into Humphrey who agrees to come with her to see a suspect. Martha (Sally Bretton) tells Anne (Barbara Flynn) what she has done. Anne doesn’t think Humphrey will appreciate it, but Martha believes he will in time.

He mentioned going back to London. Martha insists she loves him and that is the whole point of this. When Atticus is interviewed, he yells at his mother upstairs to get answers. She denies that he snuck out and robbed anything last night. Atticus says she can’t come down because she doesn’t like strangers. Esther mentions that he ate sandwiches and used a pillowcase. Atticus denies everything. Inspector Goodman doesn’t have any questions for him. As Humphrey leaves, he tries to call Martha who doesn’t answer. Anne thinks she should speak to him, but Martha says it is better if she doesn’t. At the station, Esther asks Margo to assemble a door-to-door. Margo says the lady has already put a claim in with the insurance company.

Although Margo suggests she did it herself, Esther says the MO fits Atticus perfectly. Kelby says they got a fingerprint match from the windowsill, but it doesn’t match Atticus. They look in on Hayley Collins (Hannah Traylen) while Kelby tells Esther that her prints are on file from shoplifting. Esther finds it odd that she would’ve been in custody around the time of the robbery. She asks Kelby to get her boots checked against the impression from the scene. Anne agrees to let Archie (Jamie Bamber) see Martha, but reminds him not to overstay his welcome. She insists it isn’t about what happened between them because nothing happened. Archie insists he cares about her and doesn’t take any pleasure in this. He insists it isn’t great losing someone you love.

Humphrey looks at the boot print and agrees it looks like a match. Esther says it can’t be Hayley. The burglary took place 25 minutes past midnight when she was locked up in one of their cells. Humphrey goes over the evidence before admitting it is a bit of a mystery. They question Hayley who can’t remember where she was last night. The plan was to get so drunk and be tragic until her girlfriend Katie came to save her. She remembers trying to get into a supermarket. Kelby knocks on the door to tell Humphrey that her partner is there. He soon learns that she is also Hayley’s lawyer. During the interview, Hayley cannot remember going to the house. She says she was in a relationship with Lucy until about four months ago.

Despite the evidence, Hayley claims she has never been to the house. Esther has to admit that the burglary happened when Hayley was in custody. Outside of the interview room, Margo shows them a picture from a CCTV camera of Atticus in the area on the night of the burglary. Once he is picked up, Atticus says he couldn’t tell them where he was last night because his mom was listening. He offers to show them evidence that he didn’t rob anyone. Back at the station, Esther tells Margo that he has an alibi. A flashback shows that he was with the neighbor. He sneaks out because his mom doesn’t approve of the relationship. Esther thinks they should go back to Lucy’s house since it might be insurance fraud.

Hayley’s girlfriend promises her that she’ll take care of it. Esther stops the car to tell Humphrey there is no point taking him with the way he is right now. Humphrey knows he has been a bit useless. He eventually explains that Martha doesn’t want to be with him anymore. Esther tells him to take the afternoon off and she’ll tell everyone he is following up on some leads. Esther speaks to Lucy who says she lost her job a few weeks ago so the money from the insurance will really help. Lucy says she went out last night and returned around 1:30. She met a date that she found online. She had been stood up by the same girl the night before. Lucy claims Hayley doesn’t even know where she lives and has never been to this house.

They had a flat together on Broughton Road. They lost their mothers so Lucy had their wedding rings melted down to make a single ring. Lucy found out that Hayley had been seeing the Rottweiler behind her back. They’re threatening to take her to court because they claim she stole the ring. Lucy confesses she’d rather throw it in the river than give it to her. At the station, Esther goes over the evidence with Margo who suggests the three of them could be in on it together. Margo asks about Humphrey. Esther says he is following a couple of other leads. Margo learns that Chief Superintendent Charlie Woods (Jade Harrison) wants to see them both. Archie runs into Humphrey so they sit down for a chat. Humphrey says he has accepted it if that means he isn’t going to browbeat her into changing her mind.

Archie tells him about his visit to Martha earlier. Humphrey suspects he wanted her to say their split had something to do with him. Archie claims he was only trying to help. Kelby finds them fighting moments later and tries to break it up. Once he breaks it up, Esther tells Charlie why Humphrey isn’t there with her. Charlie asks if she has thought about moving to HQ. Esther admits she wants to stay where she is. Esther is surprised when Charlie tells her that Humphrey allegedly made inquiries about returning to the Met. Margo takes care of Humphrey’s wound as he admits it is rather embarrassing. Kelby notices her tattoo. Margo says she got it done in Peru the first time she eloped. Esther arrives and finds out what has been going on.

She alludes to the fact that Humphrey might be leaving before stepping out to speak to Hayley again. Humphrey rushes outside to see what is going on with her. Esther wants to know why he didn’t say he was thinking about going back to the Met. Humphrey confesses he made the call but it had nothing to do with her. He doesn’t know how he is supposed to be there seeing Martha all the time. Humphrey says he is just trying to figure out how to exist. Esther apologizes for not thinking about that. Humphrey isn’t sure he has a choice so he is trying to accept that he might have to go. He agrees to make himself useful while he is still there. They speak to Hayley and her girlfriend about the ring and Lucy.

They claim they don’t know how Hayley’s fingerprints or boot print were at the scene and she was already in custody when the crime took place. They say Hayley had no reason to be there or break in so they should just leave. When they leave, the neighbor yells at them to say they were at it the night before last as well. He heard one of them saying the other one was stupid. The neighbor says he’ll take notes. At the station, Kelby says they got a match from the boots and a soil match from the house. Margo finds it odd that she hasn’t been able to find the interview transcripts for Atticus. Humphrey looks at the forensics report and remembers that Kate said something strange. He wonders how she knew that the ring had been stolen.

Humphrey suspects it happened the day before because of the carpet fibers. He explains that Hayley tried to break into the house the night before, but Lucy came home early because she had been stood up by her date. Hayley had to abandon her plans and flee. She likely went home and told Kate (Lily Frazer) leading to them arguing and the neighbor hearing them. The argument continued the next day. Hayley started drinking to deal with it. Kate had no intention of rescuing Hayley because she went back to the house to finish what Hayley had started. She broke in and took the ring as well as other stuff to disguise her actions. Her law firm had recently represented Atticus. She used his MO to throw them off her scent and put them onto Atticus.

Kate didn’t realize that Hayley might’ve left evidence the night before or that she would get herself arrested. Humphrey wants her arrested and to find out whether there is a case against Hayley as well. Later, Humphrey tells Esther that he needs to take some time out and will talk to the Superintendent when he gets back. Martha watches him through the window. Humphrey tries to call her, but Martha keeps ignoring his calls. He leaves a message on the home phone saying he is off. Humphrey doesn’t want her to think she isn’t enough for him. He says not having children would leave a tiny hole, but not having her would leave a hole he couldn’t bear.

He insists she isn’t doing him a favor because they should stay together if they love one another. After that, Humphrey finds a place to hide out. He is visited by Selwyn Patterson who talks to him about the sea and how it puts things into perspective. Selwyn says he has been missed. He reveals he knew he was there because of Martha who is standing nearby. She reminds him that he booked his hotel on her credit card. Martha admits he left a big hole himself. She bought Archie out of the café because it uncomplicates things. Humphrey swears that she is the only family he needs. They speak to Esther, Margo, and Kelby using video chat. Humphrey confirms they’re coming back because Martha has a business to run and he needs to work.

After the call, Humphrey returns Martha’s ring. Before they can kiss, Catherine interrupts by yelling Humphrey’s name. He is introduced to Neville Parker and the rest of his team. Once the commissioner joins them, they agree to get drinks and Martha thinks Humphrey should tell him about his duck.

 

Beyond Paradise Review

The finale of Beyond Paradise was a good way to end a solid first season since it resolved the underlying story revolving around Humphrey and Martha’s romance. It was also good to see the characters from Death in Paradise so many fans will appreciate the last few minutes of the episode. The investigation into the robbery was different although a bit messy in nature.

Beyond Paradise isn’t perfect, but each episode has been charming and enjoyable. It does best when it is focused on being silly and fun so it’ll hopefully return to its roots if there is another series. The show hasn’t been renewed for a second series yet, but it should be since it was good enough to justify one.

The finale did exactly what it needed to do although it probably wasn’t the best episode of the season. Regardless, it was good to see Humphrey and Martha work through their issues while ensuring Humphrey will be coming back. The show just needs to be renewed to confirm it. The episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Recaps of Beyond Paradise can be found on Reel Mockery here.

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