Ep 1. Episode 1

Death in Paradise season 2 episode 1, titled "Episode 1", takes viewers back to the beautiful fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie. This episode marks the return of the show's lead detective, DI Richard Poole (played by Ben Miller), who reluctantly returns to the island after being summoned by his boss, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington).

The episode begins with Poole back in London, where he's bored and frustrated with his new job, working alone and buried under mountains of paperwork. However, his world is soon turned upside down when he receives a call from the Commissioner, informing him that one of his officers has been murdered on Saint Marie. Poole is told that he's the only one the Commissioner trusts to solve the case, and he's ordered to return to the island immediately.

Upon arriving back on Saint Marie, Poole is greeted by his team, including DS Camille Bordey (Sara Martins), who welcomes him back despite his notorious reputation for being grumpy and difficult to work with. He's also introduced to Fidel Best (Gary Carr), a new member of the team who has been handpicked by the Commissioner to work with Poole on the case.

Their first case back on the island is the murder of a journalist named Dan Hagen (James Murray), who was found dead in the swimming pool of a luxury villa owned by a wealthy businessman and philanthropist named Jack Harmer (John Bowe). Hagen had been investigating Harmer's business affairs and was allegedly about to publish a story exposing some unethical practices.

As Poole and his team start to investigate the case, they uncover a web of lies and secrets involving the victim, the suspect, and a number of other individuals who had motive to kill Hagen. As they delve deeper into the case, the team must overcome a number of challenges, including a lack of evidence, conflicting statements from witnesses, and political pressures from the island's government.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to all the elements that make Death in Paradise such a beloved and entertaining show, including beautiful scenery, quirky characters, witty dialogue, and a compelling whodunit mystery. As always, the show's cast delivers strong performances, with Ben Miller bringing his signature charm and dry humor to the role of DI Poole, and the supporting cast providing plenty of laughs and intrigue.

In addition to the murder investigation, the episode also touches on the personal lives of the characters, including Poole's struggles to adjust to life on the island, DS Bordey's blossoming romance with a local doctor, and Fidel's attempts to fit in with his new colleagues.

Overall, Death in Paradise season 2 episode 1 is a strong start to the season, and a great reminder of why this show has become such a fan favorite. With its mix of sunny scenery, engaging cases, and lovable characters, it's the perfect way to escape to the tropics and enjoy some quality television.