As the second installment of "Beyond Paradise" unfolds, Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman, portrayed by Kris Marshall, delves into the mystery of a murder aboard a train, complimenting Paul Yellen (Adam Fogerty), the pretend victim, on his remarkable performance. Post the intriguing introduction, we witness Humphrey participating in the Shipton Abbott Players' Murder Mystery Night. Margo (Felicity Montagu) expresses her gratitude to Esther (Zahra Ahmadi) and Humphrey for their involvement, affirming that the actors should indeed bring the night to life. Both Esther and Humphrey agree to attend the subsequent dress rehearsal leading up to the event.
Outside the train, they engage in conversation with Noah Culpepper (Paul Bradley), Kate Potts (Abi Clarke), George Harris (Peter Landi), and others. Paul, in a gesture of hospitality, invites them aboard for a refreshing drink. In a private moment, Humphrey, Margo, and Esther share their amusement at Kate's overinflated ego. Spotting the engineer driver, Humphrey ponders whether he could inspect the engine room, only to be informed by Kieran Fish (Dane Williams) that he isn't the driver but rather assists with the boiler. Kieran assures Humphrey that a look around would be permissible. Excitedly, Humphrey climbs aboard and sounds the whistle, inadvertently starting the train. Kieran rushes to his aid as Harry Bishfield (Richard Glover) shouts for Humphrey to disembark.
Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) learns of Anne's (Barbara Flynn) unconventional quest for companionship through a dating app tailored for the elderly. Anne's imaginary dog, named after Humphrey, coincidentally joins the conversation moments later. Esther and Humphrey are enlightened about Anne's endeavors. Later, over dinner, Martha confides in Humphrey her apprehensions about her mother's online dating venture, fearing she might fall prey to catfishing. Humphrey promises to discuss the potential risks with Anne. As fostering proceedings advance, involving interviews and a home visit, Humphrey expresses his excitement.
The ensemble prepares for the dress rehearsal, with a dramatic twist as Paul accidentally slashes himself while donning his jacket. As the train hurtles through the final tunnel before Shipton Abbott, Esther whispers to Humphrey that Paul is, in reality, deceased. Humphrey swiftly concludes that one of the passengers in the adjacent carriage must be the perpetrator. Upon the train's arrival, PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn) steps in to assist. Esther dismisses the actors, albeit temporarily, as they will need to interview them later.
This revised narrative imbues the scene with enhanced vividness and emotional depth, making each moment more engaging and immersive.
Kelby asserts that three carriages stood open, inviting mystery within. The two attendants, engrossed in the engineer's cab, remained blissfully unaware of any disturbances. The perpetrator, it seems, must hail from the ranks of the Shipton Abbott players. Humphrey enlightens Esther on the fact that a stab to the back would require considerable force, further noting the absence of blood at the crime scene.
At the station, Margo and Kelby engage in discourse about the players, painting vivid pictures of individuals like George, who had a peculiar habit of picking his nose. Concerned about the media frenzy, Margo dispatches someone to contact CS Charlie Woods (Jade Harrison). Meanwhile, as Esther places a call, Margo fills Humphrey in on the intricacies of the players' backgrounds. She mentions Vivienne Bishfield (Anna Crilly), who arrived in the vicinity roughly five or six years ago, and Noah, a somewhat introverted figure whose wife had deserted him for his closest friend. Notably, none of them harbored close ties with Paul, the newest member of their circle.
Kelby converses with Polly Deakins (Flip Webster), who recounts a chilling encounter. She saw a man standing across the road, his gaze fixated on her, suggesting sinister intentions. Only the intervention of a passing woman dispersed him.
Eager to delve deeper into the victim's world, Humphrey and Esther set their sights on different goals: Esther intends to assist Zoe with her CV, while Humphrey aims to dissuade Martha from seeking love online. However, that evening, Anne, unwavering, informs Humphrey and Martha of her resolve. She has found a match in Oliver and plans a dinner date the following day. Martha contends that loneliness should not be her fate during her remaining time. Humphrey insists that their only wish is her happiness, to which Martha responds that dinner with Oliver would bring her immense joy.
Margo, steadfastly refusing to address the press, strides towards the police station. Esther reveals that the preliminary autopsy confirms a blade piercing the right lung as the likely cause of death. Humphrey approaches Harry Bishfield, who mentions that the train had to slow down yesterday, potentially providing an opportunity for someone to board and disembark unnoticed. Harry and Kieran, however, saw no such individual.
CS Woods arrives with Kelby, who attempts to pay her a heartfelt compliment. Woods informs Humphrey that the incident has stirred up quite a commotion, with authorities pressing for a swift resolution. Humphrey is reminded of the gravity of ensuring accuracy, given that his station house is under review.
Martha, on the phone with Anne, discusses potential dinner attire, encouraging her to embrace her true self. Meanwhile, Humphrey and Esther interview Noah, who offers little in terms of helpful insights. Their subsequent conversation with Kate yields similar results, although she mentions catching a glimpse of Paul chatting with George. George, in turn, shares his encounter with Paul and how he invited him to join the players.
Ultimately, Humphrey and Esther turn their focus towards Vivienne, who reveals her role in managing the costumes, adding another layer to the intriguing tapestry of characters involved in this perplexing case.
Her spouse, Harry, occupies the role of a train driver. Kelby confides in Margo, expressing his curiosity about the peculiar fact that not a single neighbor caught sight of the enigmatic man or the woman who scared him away. Margo's searches in Hastings yield no information about the deceased. Humphrey acknowledges their bafflement, suggesting they might be overlooking something crucial and contemplating the need for a press conference. He is eager to inspect Paul's residence. Upon exploring, Esther discovers evidence indicating that only one bedroom is in use, hinting at Paul's solitary existence.
Meanwhile, Martha prepares eagerly for her upcoming date. As Esther and Humphrey depart Paul's house, they bump into Kelby, who happens to be next door. They surmise that the individual keeping tabs on the house was actually keeping an eye on Paul. Margo uncovers that Paul inherited the house from its former occupant, who bequeathed him everything she owned. Kelby shares with them the descriptions of the man and woman seen outside Paul's house. CS Woods contacts Humphrey, engaging him in a conversation.
Returning home, Humphrey finds Martha spying on Oliver and Anne. Driven by curiosity, Martha decides to enter the house to meet Oliver, but Anne tries to thwart her efforts. Ultimately, Martha leaves without catching a glimpse of him. Humphrey attempts to discuss the murder with Martha, but she seems oblivious to his words. In search of a job for her daughter, Esther seeks Humphrey's help, who advises her to reach out to Martha. Oliver departs shortly afterward.
At the police station, Humphrey learns that Paul's real identity is Aiden Scarcroft. His mother willed him the house. Aiden changed his name before relocating to Shipton Abbott. Kelby reports that no debris was reported in any of the tunnels. Humphrey and Esther consult with Harry about the debris, to which Harry doubts they would notice if someone leaped onto the train. He generously offers to accompany Humphrey on a train ride sometime.
Later, Esther discovers that Aiden was released from prison two years ago after serving a 12-year sentence for manslaughter, stemming from speeding and crashing into a group of people waiting at a bus stop. An elderly woman perished, and others sustained injuries. CS Woods discusses Humphrey with someone and subsequently calls him, informing him that he has been instructed to relocate his investigation to the hub, leaving him with no alternative.
Esther later learns that an 11-year-old boy named Christopher Bishfield was among those injured in the crash. Vivienne and Harry would have been present when Paul arrived to join the others. They could never forget the face of the man who irreparably altered their child's life. Humphrey and Esther suspect that Harry might have followed Paul home, but they ponder how Harry could have possibly murdered Paul. Kelby is instructed to inquire about the procedure when debris is found on the tracks.
Humphrey elucidates that Harry was well-aware that Paul would be solitary as the train neared its final tunnel. Harry had previously informed Kieran about the debris scattered along the tracks. Kelby suggests that the engineer would have slowed the train upon noticing this, prompting Kieran to step onto the footplate to scrutinize the path ahead. Inside the tunnel, they would have relied on a flashlight for illumination. Once Kieran vacated the cab, Harry slowed the train and stealthily navigated back over the engine. He made his way to the rear of the train, ended Paul's life, and then returned unnoticed to the cab. The investigators remain perplexed by the absence of blood near Paul's body. Harry is subsequently summoned for interrogation.
During his questioning, Harry recounts the crash and alleges that either Paul or Aiden was intoxicated at the time. The young boy underwent numerous surgeries and was forever altered by the experience. Harry insists that Paul robbed his son of his childhood. He terminated Paul's life six years prior, shortly after the latter turned 19, and expresses no remorse for his actions. When Humphrey inquiries about the lack of blood in the buffet car, Harry clarifies that Paul was not standing upright. In a private conversation, Esther proposes that perhaps Paul had already prepared for the next phase of events, although they acknowledge this scenario as unlikely. Upon reviewing the toxicology results, Esther discovers something intriguing.
Humphrey delves into the dangers of curare, a highly lethal substance. He hypotheses that Paul may have already been deceased when he was stabbed. Their suspicions turn towards Vivienne, who might have poisoned Paul. Paul incurred a cut while putting on his jacket, which Vivienne could have used to administer the poison. Humphrey explains that curare is only effective when injected beneath the skin. When confronted, Vivienne admits her awareness of Harry's plan to kill Aiden. She reveals a heated argument she had with Harry outside Aiden's house, where Harry intended to carry out his grim deed that very night. Unable to prevent him and knowing he would eventually be apprehended, Vivienne took Aiden's life to spare him from Harry's wrath. She poignantly speaks of the profound grief of losing her son.
Humphrey and Esther reconstruct the events surrounding the murder, while Vivienne and Harry are confined to their cells. Later, Esther ponders over Vivienne's fate. Humphrey notes that it hinges on the CPS's assessment of responsibility for Aiden's death. Esther informs CS Woods of their progress. Martha informs Humphrey that Zoe will commence her role next week. He takes her to the steam train, where Kieran grants them a tour. With a flourish, Humphrey restarts the train.
