Death in Paradise Christmas special spoilers follow.
It was Christmas in the Caribbean this Boxing Day, as popular BBC comedy-drama Death in Paradise treated us to another feature-length festive special.
Following that shocking cliffhanger at the end of season 11, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) took centre stage – but not for the reason you may have expected. This did, however, allow room for his story to develop in the New Year.
Also DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little) was preparing for his mother to visit, and was keen to ensure she packed the sprouts! But Neville would soon end up with an even better companion than his beloved Christmas trimmings.
And of course, it wouldn't be Saint Marie without a murder to solve. The introductory flashback featuring a young Selwyn (played by Jason Yeboa) proved crucial when Neville and the team were tasked with investigating the fatal shooting of Jennifer Langan (played by Derry Girls' Siobhán McSweeney).
Be warned, there are huge spoilers ahead as we delve into this latest mystery, and consider how the episode paves the way for Death in Paradise's upcoming 12th season…
Death in Paradise's Christmas special ending, explained
As news reached Neville that his sister Izzy (Kate O'Flynn) had given birth in the UK, his mother's holiday plans were put on hold. But Neville's clumsy encounter with British tourist Sophie Chambers (Chelsea Edge) proved a welcome distraction.
Meanwhile, Catherine Bordey (Élizabeth Bourgine) knew Selwyn was preoccupied over the news that he had a daughter, after his ex-wife Maggie Harper (Orla Brady) dropped the bombshell during the season 11 finale.
But he didn't get a chance to dwell for long. It transpired that podcaster Jennifer was making a series about an unsolved case, and the Commissioner revealed that Jennifer had interviewed him about missing boy Linus Peters only the day before her death.
As a young officer, Selwyn had made a promise to Linus's twin brother, Marvin (Riotafari Gardner), that he would find him. Sadly this hadn't been possible – and it had haunted Selwyn.
But with the help of DS Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and officer Marlon Pryce (Tahj Miles), Neville and Selwyn uncovered the truth – but not without a few traditional wrong turns first.
Marvin (played in the present by Hakeem Kae-Kazim) was now a recovering alcoholic, but he had carried the tragic loss of his twin all his life. When he found a note from Linus begging him for help, it was suggested that his ghost was haunting Marvin.
Related: Death in Paradise's Ralf Little reacts to making show history
He was supported by friend and sponsor Rakesha Lorde (Doctor Who's Jo Martin), who had warned Jennifer away from Marvin. But there was another interested party in the form of self-proclaimed psychic Danny Sheridan (Les Dennis) – and both he and Jennifer had claimed that Linus was still alive.
Then came the revelation that Marvin had dissociative identity disorder, and had latched onto his lost brother's identity. While believing he was Linus, a vulnerable Marvin had shot Jennifer. But it emerged that a jealous Rakesha had coerced Marvin into pulling the trigger, wanting to stop Jennifer from revealing that Linus could be brought back to him.
Meanwhile, after Danny was attacked, the team discovered his self-serving research on Linus, proving that Danny was a fraud. At this point, Danny was forced to tell Neville and Selwyn the big twist in the tale: Linus was alive and well, and Danny had planned to earn fame and publicity after sharing the truth with Jennifer.
Danny had spotted the adult Linus in Trinidad, and sought out the truth from a dying man called Winston, who held the key to the boy's disappearance. Back in 1977, Winston had found the young, unconscious Linus floating in the water, and took him home. When the boy awoke with no memory, Winston and his wife decided to bring him up themselves. But there was still one last missing piece of this puzzle.
Rodell Weekes (Joseph Mydell) was the attacker who had been after Danny's research, wanting to protect his own involvement in Linus's disappearance. That night, Rodell was driving when the boy stepped out in front of his car. Believing he had accidentally killed Linus, Rodell moved the body into the water and planted one of his sandals to divert the police.
With the team now aware of the full facts, Marlon was sent to track down Linus, who was brought over to Saint Marie for an emotional reunion with Marvin.
With the case closed, it was time to get into the spirit of Christmas. But there was one last surprise in store. After struggling to gain the necessary respect from the public, civilian team member Darlene Curtis (Ginny Holder) announced that she was applying to train as a police officer.
Related: Death in Paradise star Tahj Miles responds to Marlon and Naomi fan theory
After Sophie realised that she and Neville had accidentally switched suitcases, Neville recovered his mum's vegetables, and Catherine arranged to serve him his beloved turkey dinner.
But when she pointed out that a nearby Sophie was struggling to enjoy her seafood lunch, Neville invited her to join him for a proper Christmas dinner. Sophie was thrilled to accept, and Neville's eyes sparkled as they wished each other a happy Christmas. Could this be the romance on the horizon for Neville next year?
How does the Christmas special set up series 12?
It has already been confirmed that Death In Paradise will return on January 6. But what's in store for our Saint Marie favourites?
Star Ralf Little had already been teasing a romance for his character in the upcoming season, having revealed that "Neville is immediately smitten" – and it certainly looked that way when he met Sophie.
"But it's not as simple as that because he's still missing Florence terribly," he added. "He's still quite burned by that experience."
With Neville's previous feelings for DS Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert) having come to nothing as they parted ways as just good friends, it would be a welcome development to see him matched up with someone who shares his feelings.
Sophie seems to share Neville's fondness of home comforts, if her taste in food is any indication. And matchmaker Catherine is sure to keep her eye on the pair. So fingers crossed the Inspector will have more of a reason to smile amid more compelling mysteries.
Elsewhere, will we get to meet Selwyn's daughter Andrina, and might we hear full details of what went wrong with his marriage to Maggie? It was clear that the former spouses still harboured feelings for each other, so could she make another appearance and end up reconciling with Selwyn?
We know Selwyn has been thinking about his daughter. So at the very least, we'll surely hear more about Andrina in series 12. What kind of person is she? Could she share many of her formidable, but kind-hearted father's qualities, or are they polar opposites?
As for Honoré police's newest recruit, how will Darlene fare in her quest to become a fully fledged officer? Not so long ago, Marlon was also in her shoes. Could his experience as a novice prove helpful to Darlene?
Their journeys are of course very different, with tearaway Marlon joining the team as a form of rehabilitation. But he soon found himself blossoming in his new role, and the driven, determined pair could end up turning their working relationship into an entertaining double act.
With plenty to look forward to in the new series, luckily there's not long to wait until Death in Paradise's idyllic beaches are back on our screens once more.
Death in Paradise series 12 will begin on January 6, 2023. A spin-off, Beyond Paradise, is in production.
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