The captivating second chapter of "Return to Paradise," entitled "Dead Last," once again shatters the serenity of Dolphin Cove with the jarring ripple of a mysterious demise. The episode commences with a fleeting glimpse of Jade McCready and Curtis Faleafa, their adrenaline pumping as they prepare for a marathon that fatefully veers towards tragedy. Detective S.C. Colin Cartwright and Glenn Strong fleetingly grace the screen, foreshadowing the tumultuous day ahead.
The narrative then pivots to Detective Inspector Mackenzie Clarke, who is abruptly pulled into the vortex of the case when Curtis, a wellness icon and marathon runner, collapses and breathes his last mere moments after triumphantly crossing the finish line. As the investigation delves deeper, Clarke and her dedicated team, Senior Sergeant Philomena Strong at the helm, uncover a cryptic 10-digit number scrawled on a fragment of paper near Curtis' phone, a clue that leads them to Keith Cole, a volunteer at the hydration station who once mentored Curtis in football's green fields.
Despite Cartwright's preliminary assumption that Curtis succumbed to a heart attack, Clarke remains steadfast in her quest for truth, insisting on analyzing the water cups from the marathon. This meticulous examination uncovers a sinister foreign substance lurking within one of the cups, casting a sinister shadow over the event.
The intrigue deepens as the team uncovers the thriving health and wellness empire that Curtis and Jade had meticulously crafted, and the explosive revelation that Jade harbored plans to sell it to a Singapore-based private equity firm, a deal that would have fetched them a staggering $20 million each. This revelation stirs up doubts about Jade's underlying motivations and the complex dynamics of her relationship with Curtis, painting a tapestry of suspicion and intrigue that grips the viewer with each unfolding twist.
As the investigation delves deeper into the labyrinthine case, a shocking revelation unfolds: Jade's popularity had been fueled by her secret use of homemade supplements, a desperate attempt to mask her own health struggles. The plot takes an unexpected detour when a cryptic text from Curtis to Nick Dosanjh, sent mere weeks before his untimely demise, surfaces, hinting at a contentious business disagreement simmering beneath the surface.
The climax arrives with a jarring revelation that leaves Clarke, consumed by a mysterious numeral, perilously close to overlooking a pivotal clue. The number, a veil lifted, turns out to be a patient ID at the Green Grass Institute, unraveling Jade's past battles with cancer—fights she had portrayed as triumphant victories to the world.
In a breathtaking twist, it is exposed that Jade had cunningly poisoned Curtis using a water bottle, her own sip from it a sly ploy to evade suspicion. Her motive? To silence Curtis before he could expose the truth about her failed cancer treatments.
Jade's arrest brings the episode to a just conclusion, underscoring Clarke's unwavering commitment to solving the case amidst the personal demons she confronts upon her return to Dolphin Cove. The finale hints at the intricate web of personal dramas that entangle Clarke, as she navigates the treacherous waters of her relationships with the townsfolk and her colleagues.
"Dead Last" stands as a testament to the show's prowess in crafting intricate mysteries intertwined with heart-wrenching personal stories, all against the picturesque backdrop of Dolphin Cove. It keeps viewers on tenterhooks, avidly anticipating how DI Clarke will not only unravel the mysteries but also reconcile with her own past in the town she once fled from.
