MovieChat Forums > Death in Paradise (2011) Discussion > Camille - I just got to THAT point (spoi...

Camille - I just got to THAT point (spoilers)

posted 9 years ago by bpollen
18 replies | jump to latest

Watching this series on Netflix. I really enjoyed it.

Then they lose the star. What? Well, okay...I found that I liked Kris. I'd seen him in other shows. He seemed to fill the star's shoes just fine.

And NOW they lose Camille? What show does well losing both of the stars? It's not the same show, is it?

I'll cont. watching & give it a shot. One reason is because I never liked the Camille character or actress much, anyway. She was really not a nice character. Rude, crabby, not kind. Couldn't understand why men would fall for her.

But the new detective that replaces Camille....so far I'm not much caring for her, either. She's nicer, for sure.

Are we supposed to believe that TWO different bosses would fall in love with their detective, Camille? And then that one of those bosses would fall in love with BOTH of his female detectives? That's a hard sell.

This show's production seems to have problems, to keep losing actors. They also lost one or two sergeants. Doesn't anyone stay on that show? Is the pay lousy?

[–] Julie-30 9 years ago

Everyone who's left has said it was a great job. But they film so far away from home that some actors just can't handle the commute. For example, Ben Miller said his young son didn't recognize him because he'd been away so long. That's beyond sad. So, while I did like his character, I respect his decision to leave. I just wish they hadn't killed him.

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[–] amygary-75-328499 9 years ago

I mourn the decline of this show, which used to be among my favorites. Okay, I accepted the change to Humphrey, although things started to get a bit sillier. That was rescued in part by the romantic tension with Camille. But when Sara Martins left the show, it all started to fall apart -- even the writing.

Now they play for cheap slapstick laughs, like Humphrey falling into his boat while ogling pretty women. The plot lines are flimsier than before, and unfortunately, Josephine Jobert just can't act. She is awkward and uncomfortable in that role, exacerbated by the writers' unwillingness to define her character and apparent inability to write her decent lines. What we are left with is a pretty woman mechanically reciting police jargon. It was a mistake to try to bring in Camille "light." A new and better defined character was desperately needed, and she's not it.

I hope they think of something to rescue the show.

[–] donji-grad 8 years ago

I agree. I loved Richard, and loved Camille. (Fidel too). Her replacement is dull and booooriiiiing. She has no character, she is just taking space. Humph is so-so.... Stories are getting so unappealing too. I might see a few more episodes just to confirm my falling out of love with the show....

[–] trixie30 9 years ago

We first discovered this show when season 3 started in the US, so we had no vested interest in Richard as the murder victim. We liked the whole cast and found the show itself refreshing, especially because they don't take themselves too seriously. The fact that there is no actual romance between co-workers is a plus for us. Other shows that have gone down that road have, IMO, generally suffered, even been taken off our watch list.

Fast forward a few months. Hubby finds Death in Paradise seasons 1 through 3 streaming on Netflix. Yay! We started at the beginning and came to love the original group of characters. Of course, when we rewatched the season 3 premier, it was a different story because now we had grown to like Richard and all of his quirks. I was really sad and bothered--even though I knew what was coming.

My point is that it can be difficult for viewers to accept cast changes when they've developed a "relationship" with previous characters/actors/groups. For any show, I find that if we don't automatically say, "Oh, it's going downhill," but give the new characters a chance to fit in that we usually still enjoy old favorite shows.

[–] ccarolyn05 8 years ago

Agreed ?

[–] morn1960 9 years ago

You must be watching a different program. Poole didn't fall in love with Camille, he may or may not have been attracted to her it was hard to read that character, Humphrey did but he hasn't fallen in love with the new detective. You must be watching the alternate universe show

[–] debbieblackman17 8 years ago

I was never fond of Camille so I'm glad she's gone (I actually liked Lily better in the pilot episode if she hadn't had that ending) and I like Florence

I love Humphrey and Kris Marshall is great in the role, but, I was very fond of Poole and his leaving was sad. I understand the reasons but I wish they hadn't killed him. He didn't deserve that and it puts a dampner on earlier seasons knowing what happens to him. They should have left it open so he return (even for a special appearance like in the London two parter). Disappointing

[–] daneldorado 8 years ago

Lots of differing opinions here.

Some of you have said you really Really REALLY liked Inspector Poole, played by Ben Miller the first two seasons of "Death in Paradise." Okay, you're entitled to your opinion. But I found Richard Poole completely offputting, and not just because of his insistence on always wearing a full suit and tie on a Caribbean island with a mean temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Poole was much, much too uptight for me. The arrival of Kris Marshall's Inspector Humphrey has given us a breather, a younger detective who is sometimes clumsy, sometimes awkward, but in the end is much smarter than anyone else on the show. He is not only clever, but as a bonus he is also Poole Light.

Humphrey was given a few episodes with DS Bordey (Sara Martins) and we were allowed to believe there may have been romantic sparks between them... but to my great pleasure, Bordey was written off the show (supposedly went to Paris) and she was replaced by the younger and cuter Josephine Jobert as new DS Florence Cassel.

Florence is a capable second-in-command to Humphrey, she also has a more pleasing personality than her predecessor in the role. Certainly she is likable, but to my eyes Florence also has great legs... and she lets us see them in her short shorts, far more often than her uptight predecessor, who wore long pants and skirts more often than she wore shorts.

Cheers,
Dan

God Bless America!

[–] faididi 8 years ago

Poole was much, much too uptight for me

He's supposed to be uptight for us Yanks — he's British.

Certainly she is likable, but to my eyes Florence also has great legs... and she lets us see them in her short shorts, far more often than her uptight predecessor, who wore long pants and skirts more often than she wore shorts.

Camille was supposed to be the fun and sensible one (as opposed to the rigid Poole). Pity the screenwriters can't write.

At least with DS Bourday's departure (to Paris?) I can rub my hands and start writing slash-fiction. Maybe she can x-over and meet Leito (Banlieu 13) or Charlie Wax (From Paris With Love).

[–] velcronewsletter 8 years ago

so basically you'd prefer a blow up doll to a developed character because trousers=uptight? how dull.

[–] Heroforsale1959 8 years ago

Hi Debbie...

The writers wanted to keep the character alive as they almost certainly hoped he would change his mind and return eventually. It was Ben Miller HIMSELF who demanded that Richard die, in fact if you look around youtube I am sure you will find at least a couple of interviews where he said he only returned for season 2 to have the death scene, otherwise he would have just walked away from the show. He found it far too hard to balance family life with the shows demands.

Si vis pacem, para bellum

[–] zoellnerdennis 8 years ago

It was Ben Miller HIMSELF who demanded that Richard die,

Haven't looked for any youtube interviews yet, but the first online article I stumbled upon goes like this:

Ben Miller on his Death in Paradise exit: "It was horrendous being killed off"
(...)
But while Miller may have decided that his time on the show was up, he wasn't especially happy about the way it ended.

"It was horrendous being killed, especially being killed about a minute into the programme," he tells RadioTimes.com. "He didn't get to do much Richard Poole-like dithering about. I literally got an ice pick between my shoulders, it was incredibly quick – it felt really brutal at the time.

"You think, 'Theres no coming back in this show, unless it's all been a dream...' (...)

(http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-09-27/ben-miller-on-his-death-in-paradise-exit-it-was-horrendous-being-killed-off)

- It's just one article instead of the many others you claim telling the contrary (I'm still looking for them) - yet, well, just wanted to quote this.

With each day the number of people on my Ignore list is growing.

[–] mythcalledlove 8 years ago

Well I shed a tear when Camille was leaving. Although she wasn't exciting it was touching to see the clumbsy connection between the 2. Poor Dwayne never moved up no promotion kinda sad. The way Fidel vanished and now Camille. Still dont like how they never really developed the characters. The new 2 just show up. Oh and the "pet" the only other loyal one..lol

[–] debbieblackman17 8 years ago

Does anyone else find it odd that Catherine never mentions Camille?

[–] MsWildhack 8 years ago

Yes, I do. I find it odd that none of the cast ever refer to her. You'd think that people would occasionally ask Catherine how she's doing in Paris or something. Maybe they're afraid that mentioning her would give people the false hope that she'll come back?

[–] daneldorado 8 years ago

I just finished watching the episode where Richard Poole gets killed and Humphrey Goodman takes over. It's the second time I have watched it, but it is a very entertaining episode, and the hour just flew by.

I have read, here and there, that at the present time in the show "Death in Paradise", Kris Marshall, the actor who played Humphrey has now also left the show. Usually, when you hear of a popular actor leaving a successful series, the reason given -- if any -- seems fake. But in this case, the reason is said to be that it is too big a strain to maintain a home life in the UK and frequent airline trips to the sunny Caribbean Isles.

I'll buy that.

Cheers,
Dan

God Bless America!

[–] Marlburian 8 years ago

The problems of having a family in England and having to spend a lot of time on location were also the reason for Ben Miller quitting.

As to Camille not being mentioned, this follows the practice of other TV series of not referring to an actor who has quit and who is no longer relevant to the show. The allusion would mean nothing to new viewers and to put it into context would use up limited script time.

No one in DIP refers to Richard Poole, and if in a new episode someone was to mention Fidel Best I would have to think who was meant.

[–] debbieblackman17 8 years ago

I agree about Richard and Fidel, but, Catherine is Camille's mother so you think she would mention her