A wellness influencer dropping dead mid-fun run? In the idyllic coastal town of Dolphin Cove? Color me shocked — not. Okay, maybe a little. This week’s “Return to Paradise,” titled “Dead Last,” throws a perfectly toned, gluten-free wrench into the works, forcing DI Mackenzie Clarke to confront a murder as baffling as a kale smoothie cleanse.
Clarke, still wrestling with her outsider status in the community (and apparently, the local beach access laws), finds herself juggling trespassing townsfolk and a crime scene littered with protein bars and suspiciously motivational water bottles. It seems the path to paradise is paved with petty grievances and, now, a dead influencer. Who knew maintaining a perfect Instagram feed could be so hazardous to one’s health?
As Clarke looks into the influencer’s meticulously curated online presence, the cracks in the wellness facade begin to show. Turns out, even in paradise, everyone’s got secrets lurking beneath the surface of their green smoothies and sunrise yoga poses. The episode hints at a world where likes and followers are currency, and the pursuit of wellness can be a surprisingly cutthroat business.
“Dead Last” sees Anna Samson returning as the perpetually put-upon DI Clarke, trying to maintain her composure amidst the chaos. Lloyd Griffith provides the comic relief as DS Colin Cartwright, likely still struggling to understand the concept of a “detox.” Celia Ireland rounds out the core trio as Reggie Rocco, whose connection to the wellness world is probably limited to the occasional glass of wine (a woman after my own heart). The episode also features Catherine McClements, Naomi Sequeira, Andrea Demetriades, Roy Joseph, Tai Hara and Callan Colley.
Don’t miss “Return to Paradise,” airing Friday, November 29th at 8:00 PM on BBC One.
