Paradise Series-Premiere Recap: The Great Seam in the Sky

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Intrigued? If you expected Hulu’s series “Paradise” to be a conventional political thriller about an undercover agent investigating the mysterious murder of the U.S. President, then you were partly correct! However, there’s a big twist – the murder takes place in a secret mountain bunker following a worldwide catastrophic event. For the past three years, 25,000 Americans have been living in this seemingly perfect suburban town-like bunker. The President’s murder is the first homicide to occur within this secluded sanctuary, discovered on his bedroom floor, still dressed in his bathrobe and slippers. So, it seems that “Paradise” might not be quite the straightforward political thriller you initially thought!

If you started watching Paradise because you noticed it brought together This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman and Sterling K. Brown, one of the best emotional performers on TV, you might have briefly wondered if this show would follow in the twist-filled footsteps of This Is Us. Perhaps there was a fleeting moment when you thought, “Could this series be full of unexpected twists?”

Maybe you even anticipated a bit of surprise as you watched, such as noticing the mechanical ducks in the pond or spotting the seams in the digital “sky”. Although it’s unlikely that these subtle clues would have prepared you for every twist and turn, they could have added a hint of anticipation to your viewing experience.

One could contend that, similar to the show “This Is Us”, revealing the main plot point at the end of the first episode instead of at the beginning might come across as somewhat amusing and contrived, considering the premise is engaging enough to hold its own without the dramatic unveiling. Nevertheless, it’s irrelevant at this stage: We’re here! Buried under a mountain! It appears that the world, according to what we’re told, has collapsed! The President has been assassinated! We’re in the thick of things now! However, be aware that there may be more surprising twists ahead. This is Fogelman’s signature style.

Another interesting point of comparison between “This Is Us” and “Paradise” is that both shows utilize multiple timeframes in their narratives. At present, we find ourselves navigating through three distinct periods: The current investigation into Cal’s murder, the moments preceding his death, and various instances from the past, referred to as “Before Bunker,” or BB for short.

Let’s discuss what we’ve learned so far about Cal’s murder after three episodes. One morning when Xavier arrives at work, he notices something unusual: President Cal Bradford is still in bed past 8 a.m. After repeatedly knocking and receiving no response, Xavier enters the room to find Cal lying face down on the floor near his bed, drenched in his own blood from an apparent head wound. The president is deceased. Instead of dialing for help right away, Xavier examines the crime scene, maintaining a composed exterior but betraying confusion and shock in his eyes. The door to Cal’s balcony is open, and there’s a bloody trail leading outside, along with a partially smoked cigarette. On the bedside table are two wine glasses, a pack of cigarettes, and a pair of gold earrings. However, the most significant detail that catches Xavier’s attention is an empty safe and the absence of a crucial tablet containing all the secrets.

Xavier instructed his junior assistant Jane to secure the premises without providing any additional details. He then went to speak with Mike Garcia, who managed the security cameras, to review Cal’s activities from the past day. It became clear that it was significant for Cal to leave his bathrobe, his son Jeremy had stopped responding to dinner invitations, he was involved in an affair with Agent Robinson, and those earrings discovered in his bedroom were hers. Moreover, it appeared that Cal had taken illicit substances the night before his death, and he had been drinking with his father Kane. The last individual to see Cal Bradford alive before he retired for the night around 10 p.m. was none other than Xavier Collins.

Is it possible that Xavier delays calling Cal’s murder into the agency for 30 minutes because he’s searching for any potential clues at the crime scene with his trusted friend and fellow agent, Billy Pace? No, he’s not trying to hide anything. Instead, Xavier warns Billy that once Agent Robinson takes over, they won’t be allowed to remain on the case. His prediction turns out to be accurate; not only is Xavier removed from the investigation, but he becomes the primary suspect for a brief period.

Rest assured: The series doesn’t try to mislead us into thinking that Xavier could be guilty for a prolonged period. Instead, it skillfully utilizes the opening episodes to reveal the intricate bond between Xavier and Cal, which evolved over five years of working together.

We witness their initial encounter in the Oval Office the day after Cal’s re-election, where Xavier maintains his professional demeanor despite Cal’s attempts at lighthearted banter. In his first week on the job, we catch glimpses of Xavier discussing his family, Teri and their children, Presley and James.

As the story unfolds, we observe a significant shift in their relationship when Xavier takes a bullet for the president, leading to what appears to be a genuine friendship. Their last conversation before Cal’s untimely death provides insight into their bond, as Xavier expresses resentment towards the President for not being able to save Teri during the end-of-the-world event.

Intriguingly, Xavier’s final words to Cal are, “I’ll forgive you when I can sleep again, and I’ll sleep again when you’re dead.” This dialogue hints at a deep emotional connection between the two men that may play a crucial role in the series as it unfolds.

In just three episodes, the flashbacks have managed to paint a vivid, compelling picture of their relationship, making it effortless for us to empathize with it. The acting pair, Brown and Marsden, share an authentic on-screen bond that leaves me somewhat disappointed they’ll never reconcile. Although Xavier is known for his strong moral compass and commitment to his work, the heartrending conclusion of their relationship will likely contribute to his relentless pursuit of answers in this story.

As a movie enthusiast, let me share my take on this: If you still had doubts about Xavier’s innocence, the final clue he obtains should clear things up for you. Just before his last moments, Cal uses his own blood to mark an “X” on his pack of cigarettes, ensuring Xavier takes them. Inside one of these cigarettes, Cal has written a six-digit code – 812092. Xavier doesn’t know what this could mean, but it becomes intriguing when we see Xavier’s daughter, Presley, and Cal’s son, Jeremy, exploring the airplane hangar from the day they arrived in the bunker. There, we notice that many of these planes have six-digit ID numbers painted on their tails. Quite fascinating, isn’t it?

If Cal Bradford wasn’t the one who met his demise, then it was likely Samantha Redmond who pulled the trigger. As Xavier points out, she’s the mastermind behind the mountain bunker project and seems to be the one pulling the strings down there. Everyone from Cal himself followed her lead. She’s known for her impeccable pantsuits and has a way with words that silences even the most boisterous men when they start complaining. In fact, she famously told the whiny members of the Billionaire and Government Cabal to go “tug their ropes” to calm them down after Cal’s death – a phrase that seems to have more to do with maintaining order than expressing concern for Cal.

But Samantha isn’t just a ruthless billionaire stereotype. Paradise delves deeper into her character in episode 2, revealing a softer side to her. The day she sold her start-up and became the world’s wealthiest self-made woman, she had a charming encounter with her husband that hinted at a more vulnerable woman beneath the cold exterior we’ve seen in Colorado. She seems to have a playful, free-spirited side that contrasts sharply with the icy demeanor she presents to the world. This leaves us wondering if there’s more to Samantha than meets the eye.

Reflecting on a poignant moment in the film, I recall a flashback revealing that Samantha’s older child, Dylan, was battling an incurable disease. With wealth at her disposal, she tirelessly sought solutions for a year, but sadly, her son, Dylan, passed away. This devastating loss left an indelible mark on Samantha. Julianne Nicholson masterfully portrays this heart-wrenching story, making every moment of Samantha’s journey feel authentic and deeply moving; I was fully invested in her emotional journey from start to finish.

A year following Dylan’s demise, Samantha attends an under-populated financial conference where she listens to a lecture by a scientist named “The Antarctic Giant Lies Sleeping.” The topic discusses a potential catastrophic event involving a tsunami that could submerge the Earth within the next decade. Despite the dire warnings, few are interested. Among those present is Senator Cal Bradford, whom she has a passing acquaintance with. They share a heartfelt moment where Cal speaks about Dylan to her, showing kindness in a difficult time as no one else had done. He also shares that his father considers her one of the world’s genuine leaders. Moved by their conversation, Samantha seeks out the scientist further, where she receives cryptic advice to “dig the deepest hole you can and take shelter.” This encounter marks the beginning of a growing trust between them.

Indeed, Samantha’s ideas for the Colorado Mountain project stem from her grief in multiple aspects. She was unable to save Dylan, but her determination to safeguard her daughter is unwavering. As Dylan comes to terms with his impending death and asks his mother about the afterlife, she describes it as whatever he desires. His ideal heaven, he says, resembles his current life but with an abundance of motorized horse rides. Remarkably, the Paradise bunker city includes numerous motorized horse rides. Does the revelation that Samantha crafted Dylan’s conception of heaven seem overly sentimental? Absolutely. Did I shed tears over it? Yes, once again.

To set the record straight, Samantha appears to be the antagonist in our narrative, even though I’m not convinced she directly killed Cal. They had a complicated friendship, to say the least. However, it’s undeniable that she is spying on everyone in Paradise and concealing information about something – whether it’s the bunker, the apocalypse, or something else remains to be seen. It would have been simple to portray Samantha as a one-dimensional character, but her motives add depth and richness to the story.

By episode three’s end, Paradise offers a new possible suspect: Agent Billy Pace.

Thanks to Dr. Gabriela Torabi’s intervention, Xavier was spared from a lie detector test that Samantha was keenly observing. Dr. Torabi, who is the president’s therapist, knew Xavier had no involvement in Cal’s death. This information came from Cal himself, as he had asked Gabriela to find Xavier if anything were to happen to him. However, before conveying this message from Cal, Gabriela wanted to ensure she could trust Xavier completely. So, they spent the day wandering around Paradise, building their relationship and getting to know each other better.

It transpires that Gabriela was Samantha’s therapist during the time of Dylan’s death. She was brought onto the Colorado project not only to assist in designing a city for people dealing with trauma and grief, but also to choose the 25,000 individuals they would rescue. I wish the story Paradise explored more deeply her internal struggle with this burden – she hints at it, but there’s so much potential! It’s just unbelievable how heavy that must be on her mind. However, there isn’t time for that right now. She manages to get Xavier to confide in her about his wife and father, and after some shared cheese fries (there’s a lot about the cheese fries!), she decides he can be trusted. She takes him home and they have sex in the shower. This is partly because they are both attractive individuals in an underground shelter at the end of the world, but also because she’s worried Samantha might be spying on her, and she wants the sound of the shower to mask what she needs to tell Xavier: Cal instructed her to trust only Xavier, and Billy Pace is dangerous.

I don’t believe at all that Billy murdered Cal. When Agent Robinson finds out it was Billy and Jane who shut off the security cameras in Cal’s house for two hours the night he passed away, they admitted it was so they could play Wii tennis (and likely engage in other activities). Furthermore, Billy appears to be quite affectionate towards Xavier and his children — wouldn’t he do something that would harm them? Lastly, sweethearts, we’re only on episode three! It’s impossible for us to determine the killer so soon. However, it’s clear that there’s more to Billy Pace than just a man who enjoys discussing his waste management schedule. Now that he’s caught Xavier’s attention, he’ll have to scrutinize their friendship more closely.

Bunker Notes

It appears that a sweet romance might be developing between Xavier’s daughter, Presley, and Cal’s son, Jeremy. Surprisingly enough, I find myself not bothered by these young lovebirds yet!

Jeremy shared with Presley that the last time he met his father, he expressed a wish that he wasn’t alive. However, let me tell you, Cal hasn’t had the best of times lately; it seems like his recent days have been really tough.

As a devoted fan, it’s clear that the detailing of Xavier’s aviation background isn’t merely incidental. With his father being a pilot and his grandfather part of the Tuskegee airmen, it’s no wonder he shares their passion for planes. Unfortunately, his eyesight has prevented him from realizing his dream of becoming a pilot himself. And here are all these planes tucked away in that hangar? I can’t help but keep a keen eye on this captivating story unfolding.

– There are several points to keep in mind about Cal. He often speaks of transitioning from being among the wealthiest individuals globally to becoming President surprisingly quickly; even prior to the bunker, he appeared content to obey Samantha’s instructions, and he grapples with deep-seated family issues, particularly concerning his father, Kane. Notably, despite suffering from Alzheimer’s, Kane was once working on the mountain bunker project alongside Samantha and resides in Cal’s guest house in Paradise. Complex indeed!

The instance following Cal’s autopsy, where Agent Robinson and Samantha retched in the restroom – a powerful display of their emotional responses, adding depth to their characters.

I’ve only watched three episodes, but I’m finding myself quite frustrated by their decision to conclude each one with a melancholic version of an ’80s tune. Honestly, I could do without it at this point. Please, could we move on?

Let me assure you, I’m not trying to offend, but the truth is, when Cal inquired whether Agent Robinson desired a “Presidential debriefing,” I genuinely chuckled. After all, we’re just humans!

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2025-02-01 04:55