Ep 1. Episode 1

In Death in Paradise Season 4 Episode 1 titled "Episode 1," we find ourselves back on the beautiful island of Saint Marie, where newly appointed Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman has taken over from the much-loved Richard Poole.

From the very start, it is clear that Humphrey is not your typical detective. He's a bumbling, clumsy, and awkward guy who is more comfortable analyzing crime scenes than dealing with human emotions. He's joined by his team that includes DS Florence Cassell, Officer JP Hooper, and Pathologist Dr. Camille Bordey, who made regular appearances in the previous seasons.

As the episode begins, we see that DI Goodman is still trying to get accustomed to the laid-back lifestyle on the island, including driving on the wrong side of the road. He's also struggling to come to terms with his predecessor's reputation, who is still the talk of the town, even after his untimely death. However, DI Goodman inevitably encounters his first murder on the island when a billionaire, philanthropist and environmentalist named Neil Jenkins is found dead in his swimming pool.

The police team initially assumes that the murder is a result of a botched robbery gone wrong. But, the moment DI Goodman arrives on the crime scene, he starts piecing together evidence that indicates that there could be more to this crime than initially meets the eye. His unconventional investigative approach uses puns and jokes to lighten the mood, which often leaves his team members annoyed and frustrated.

As the investigation progresses, the team uncovers a number of possible motives. Jenkins's wife was aware that he was having an affair while he was funding a controversial marine park project that many locals opposed. DI Humphrey and his team begin questioning all those who had connections with the victim, including a journalist whose articles had led to the exposure of Mr. Jenkins's affair to his wife.

As the investigation progresses, the stakes get higher. The Detective Inspector's initial theories are slowly unraveled, leading to some dead ends; however, during the course of his investigation, DI Goodman must also navigate the local culture and customs, which leaves him a fish out of the water.

The episode is full of twists and turns, with plenty of red herrings to keep the audience engaged. We also see the interpersonal drama between the police team members, with JP's family struggles and Florence's relationship with her estranged father developing in the background.

Overall, Death in Paradise Season 4 Episode 1 is a strong start to the season, with plenty of intrigue and a dose of comedic charm thrown in. It sets the tone for what is to come in the upcoming episodes, making it a must-watch for fans of the show.