After repeatedly hearing great things from reviewers about Paradise–some compared it to Lost–we recently watched the 8-episode first season on Hulu and really enjoyed it. I’ll give a few spoiler-free thoughts (nothing beyond the first few minutes of the show), then I’ll discuss some elements that will spoil the twist revealed at the end of the first epsiode.
The very beginning of Paradise sets in motion a mystery for the entire season: The President of the United States has been killed. We experience this through the lens of Xavier, the President’s lead bodyguard. While Xavier isn’t suspicious (to the audience), he acts strangely–he delays news of the murder for a good 30 minutes. This adds to the intrigue and tension that unfolds throughout the first episode and beyond.
That’s all I can say without spoiling the end of the first episode. The twist impacts the rest of the season and the main question I have for you.
FIRST EPISODE SPOILERS
At the end of the first episode, we learn that everything we’re seeing–this idyllic suburb–is actually inside a massive dome, an artificial city built under a mountain. People live there because the world outside has ended due to a catastrophe.
Now, I still want to avoid spoiling everything else that unfolds. I’ll say that the show is somewhat uneven in terms of characters and plot. Parts of it feel like they were written back in the days of Heroes, 24, and Prison Break–lots of drama just for the sake of drama.
However, the show manages to ask some compelling questions and keeps you guessing. I particularly felt the first 10 minutes of episode 8, which delves into how the city was built. Really, that could have been the show, or a huge part of it.
One of the other big questions is posed in episode 7, which is about what happened the day the world ended. It asks a big question: If the President knows with near certainty that the world is going to enter a civilization-killing catastrophe, should they tell the world? If so, when is the right time to say something? 10 years in advance? 1 year? 1 week? Perhaps the obvious answer is to share the news right away–people deserve to know, right?–but would the ugly side of human nature take over if people feel like there are no consequences? Maybe for some and not for others.
What do you think, either of that question or about Paradise?
Somewhat related, have you watched This Is Us? Same creator as Paradise (and also starring Sterling K. Brown) though nothing like it plot-wise (though there are lots of season and series long mysteries that are slowly revealed). The writing and performances are phenomenal and I highly recommend it! It ended a few years ago, so the full show is available if you end up enjoying it.
I watched the first episode but didn’t dive deep into it; I appreciate the recommendation to revisit it!