“Beyond Paradise” Season 2 Episode 4 Recap: A Missing Teacher, a Psychic, and Heartbreaking Revelations

In the fourth episode of “Beyond Paradise” Season 2,the Shipton Abbott team investigates the disappearance of a teacher from an elite boarding school, while Anne’s new romance takes an unexpected turn. The episode, titled “You’ll Be Mist,” delivers a mix of suspense, humor, and emotional moments.

The episode opens with a sense of intrigue as Father Michael (Joe Barnes), a housemaster at the prestigious St. Barnabus School for Boys, goes missing during his midnight walk along the coastal path. DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) and DS Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi) are called to the school, where they learn that Father Michael was last seen heading towards the beach in dense fog. The school’s headmistress, Marion Goddard (Emma Fielding), describes Father Michael as a “good-natured and likeable teacher.”

A Strict and Old-Fashioned School

The school is revealed to be strict and old-fashioned, known as a place where posh parents send their troubled kids. Humphrey and Esther uncover a web of secrets as they interview Father Michael’s pupils, including Roddy (David Olaniregun), who knows more than he initially lets on. Roddy tells Humphrey about seeing Father Michael on the beach, looking disturbed and marching on the spot.

Roddy shows Humphrey a video he took on his phone, leading them to a house just over the hill. There, they discover Old Harry (Malcolm Storry), a mechanic, and his granddaughter, Marie (Kat Dulfer), who is revealed to be Father Michael’s partner. Old Harry admits that he attacked Father Michael, leaving him adrift in a fishing boat, but claims it was an accident.

Anne’s Romantic Turmoil

Meanwhile, Anne Lloyd (Barbara Flynn), Martha’s mother, continues her journey into online dating. She meets Richard (Peter Davison), who seems charming and attentive. However, things take a shocking turn when Anne runs into Richard at an art gallery event, along with his wife, Penny (Liz Crowther). Anne is left humiliated and heartbroken as she realizes Richard has been hiding a secret—he is a married man.

The episode also features a clairvoyant, Claire Moss (Cariad Lloyd), who predicts unusual events for Martha’s friend Belle Hammond (Emily Lloyd-Saini). Belle’s garage goes up in flames, and she seeks answers from Claire. However, Esther remains skeptical of Claire’s powers, suspecting a connection between her and Belle’s attacker.

The Case of the Missing Teacher

Humphrey and Esther’s investigation into Father Michael’s disappearance leads them to uncover a scandal at the school involving the admissions process. They discover that Father Michael had been planning to leave the school and move in with Marie, but his plans were cut short by Old Harry’s attack.

The episode concludes with Anne confronting Richard about his deceit. She is left devastated as Richard tries to make excuses, claiming that his situation is “complicated.” Anne is hurt and furious, feeling that her trust has been betrayed.

Season 2 of “Beyond Paradise” continues to win us over, its mix of charming characters, great locations, and intriguing mysteries keep us invested. The season has delivered on its promise of providing a “cozy crime treat,” with a good balance of suspense and lighthearted moments.

The episode aired on BBC One on Friday, 12 April 2024.