A little problem for Ralf

TONIGHT’S episode of DEATH IN PARADISE (BBC1, 9pm) starts by jogging our memories, reminding us what happened this time last week. I wish more TV dramas would do that.

Mind you, I’m the sort of viewer who’d like some of them to pause every 15 minutes or so and explain what the heck is going on. If they started pandering to the likes of me, honestly, they’d never get anything done.

So, yes, previously on Death In Paradise: DS Florence Cassell bravely volunteered to travel to Jamaica and go undercover, pretending to be an au pair. If the mission went to plan, she’d be helping bring a drug trafficker and suspected murderer to justice, or something along those lines.

As she said her goodbyes and headed off, she looked more than a little apprehensive, it has to be said. But then spying on a drug trafficker and suspected murderer is probably one of those jobs where you’re meant to be nervous. If you’re the sort of police officer who, upon being offered such an assignment, replied: “Yeah, that should be a right laugh, bring it on!” I guess your superiors might conclude you lacked the appropriate temperament. They’re usually trained to spot that kind of thing.

Meanwhile, Florence’s boss, Ralf Little’s DI Neville Parker, was showing some nerves of his own as his DS went on her way.

First, because Florence is the most valuable member of his team, and her professionalism and expertise was going to be sorely missed.And second, because he clearly loves her up to the sky and back again.

This evening’s episode picks up the story four weeks on – and delivers an early and somewhat disturbing twist.The commissioner arrives, sombre-faced, with an update on Florence’s mission: “There’s been something of a development…” he announces.

Neville goes instantly into panic mode, fearing the worst. It turns out it isn’t the worst, but it’s definitely not the best either.The woman Florence is spying on, Miranda Priestly, has organised a last-minute business trip.This means she and her entourage, Florence included, have actually left Jamaica and are heading for… well, can you guess where?

No, not to Margate (whatever made you think that?) but – ooh, blimey – back here to the island of Saint Marie.While a dozier plod might jump for joy on hearing this news and start hanging out the Welcome Home bunting, Neville instantly twigs there’s a problem.

“What if someone she knows sees her and blows her cover?!” he cries.

Well, quite. Elsewhere, four minutes into MIDSOMER MURDERS (ITV, 8.30pm), a man gets strangled with a violin string.