Fans of the hit BBC crime drama Return to Paradise were left utterly speechless following the broadcast of the latest episode on Friday, November 21, which featured a massive romantic twist involving the show's lead character.
A Date with Disaster
The episode, which continues the second series of the Death in Paradise spin-off, saw DI Mackenzie 'Mack' Clarke (Anna Samson) attempting to navigate the world of modern dating. While she and her colleagues investigated the poisoning of a CEO at a corporate retreat, Mack revealed she was using a dating app and subsequently arranged to meet a plumber named Dustin (Richard Brancatisano) for drinks.
The awkward meet-up was closely observed by her colleague, Detective Senior Constable Colin Cartwright (Lloyd Griffith), and her ex-fiancé, Glenn Strong (Tai Hara). After Dustin complimented Mack's waistcoat and went to the bar to fetch their drinks, Mack received a call about the ongoing case from Felix Wilkinson (Aaron McGrath) and made a swift exit, abandoning her date.
Viewers React to the Romantic Turmoil
Following the resolution of the murder mystery, Colin encouraged Mack to apologise to Dustin for her abrupt departure. However, she instead turned to him for advice on a plumbing issue, leaving her foray into romance definitively stalled.
The unexpected plot development sparked an immediate and passionate reaction from the audience on X, formerly known as Twitter. One viewer quipped, "What could possibly go wrong? Everything," while another noted the intriguing dynamic, observing, "So Colin went on the date as the wingman and wished he would have stayed around. It's a twist."
Other social media comments highlighted Mack's apparent discomfort with dating, with one fan stating, "Mack doesn't have a good time. That's not her thing," and others pointed out the keen interest from other characters, with posts like, "I love how invested everyone is in Mack's dating life," and "Colin. The potential third wheel."
Where to Watch the Drama Unfold
Return to Paradise follows DI Mackenzie Clarke, who was forced to leave London under a cloud of suspicion and return to her hometown of Dolphin Cove, Australia. The series, which also stars Catherine McClements as Senior Sergeant Philomena Strong, is available to stream in full on BBC iPlayer.
