Another Season in Paradise

by

On January 26, 2025, audiences were introduced for the first time to “Paradise”, a new series produced by Dan Fogelman and featuring Sterling K. Brown, who had previously worked together on the popular drama “This Is Us”. The pilot episode, titled “Wildcat Is Down”, primarily unfolded as an engaging political thriller while subtly suggesting that something peculiar was unfolding. In this series, Brown portrays Xavier Collins, a Secret Service agent tasked with safeguarding President Cal Bradford, a former U.S. president residing in a picturesque small-town community. However, Bradford is later assassinated, placing Collins at the heart of a mystery in which he becomes both suspect and investigator, due to his complex ties with Bradford.

Intriguing, isn’t it? Throughout the initial season of Paradise, the mystery surrounding who assassinated President Bradford was central. Yet, the concluding moments of the premiere presented one of the most surprising twists in recent times. The seemingly idyllic, affluent, quintessentially American town where Bradford, Collins, and others reside, is in reality a technologically advanced settlement nestled within a Colorado mountain, engineered by billionaire tech mogul Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond (Julianne Nicholson). The inhabitants of this community are all survivors from some form of catastrophic event.

As numerous queries accumulated following the finale of “The Man Who Kept Secrets,” the premiere episode of “Paradise,” many were addressed by the story’s conclusion, yet some remained unanswered. Although “Paradise” revealed who was responsible for Bradford’s death, it intentionally left room for a potential second season by leaving several questions unresolved. These enigmas will keep fans speculating as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of season two.

1.
What’s outside Paradise?

In the heart-wrenching second-to-last episode of the first season titled “The Day,” a catastrophic ecological disaster led to a chain reaction of nuclear attacks as countries tried to gain an advantage in what was left of the world following the apocalypse. Just before descending underground, Bradford chose not to detonate a nuke but instead initiated an electromagnetic pulse, disabling all nukes and electronic devices worldwide. This apparently left some areas of the United States, such as Atlanta, less devastated than other parts of the planet. Collins suspects his wife Teri (played by Enuka Okuma) might be among the survivors in Atlanta. As the episode concludes, Collins decides to fly from Paradise in search of her.

What lies beyond Paradise’s boundaries remains unknown, as our knowledge comes from images captured during a failed rescue mission led by fellow agent Billy Pace (Jon Beavers). These images portray an America that appears less appealing than Paradise, but they only offer a glimpse of one part of the country. We wonder about the survival rate, if any reconstruction efforts have started, and whether there might be zombies roaming around. Although it’s unlikely that there are zombies, the uncertainty highlights how much we still don’t understand about the world beyond Paradise.

2.
Now that the president’s murder has been solved, what will drive the show’s narrative?

Despite the science-fiction backdrop in “Paradise” during its first season, Bradford’s murder was its central focus. As we move into season two, what will be the core theme? Collins’s quest for his wife could certainly dominate, but can this quest unfold as a gradually revealing mystery throughout the season? It’s feasible that “Paradise” might discard its mystery aspects and fully embrace being a post-apocalyptic survival drama, but such a change would significantly shift the show’s character.

In light of Bradford’s murder case being resolved, what part might the President take in the upcoming season of “Paradise”? Given that Bradford’s involvement in current events is restricted due to his demise, flashbacks during the first season allowed him a significant presence. Similar to “This Is Us”, “Paradise” has used past scenes to shed light on the present. With Bradford’s story seemingly concluded from his privileged upbringing to his tragic end, there remains one lingering thread: President Bradford’s widow, Jessica (Cassidy Freeman). Jessica didn’t play a significant role after her husband’s funeral, but it’s conceivable that the writers may have more in store for her character in the next season.

3.
Is Jane crazy, or does she have a plan?

Jane, portrayed by Nicole Brydon Bloom, seems to have gone to extraordinary lengths for an unusual goal: acquiring a Wii. It’s hard to believe that this was the only motivation behind her staged murder attempt on Presley (Aliyah Mastin), and the serious injury she inflicted on Sinatra. As we last see Jane, she is happily engaging in Wii Sports, but her actions hint at a more calculated intent – perhaps she was not trying to kill Sinatra, but rather incapacitate her as part of a bigger plan. Could the Wii be merely a side effect of some larger scheme?

4.
Who will fill the power vacuum left by Sinatra’s incapacitation?

Reflecting on Sinatra’s predicament, it leaves a gaping void in her core and an empty throne within the realm of Paradise. Who will seize this opportunity? Respectfully speaking, Henry Baines (Matt Malloy) doesn’t appear cut out for the job. The current candidates seem more like a bunch of loudmouths than capable leaders. To continue with the Rat Pack analogy, if Redmond is Frank Sinatra and Bradford is Peter Lawford, we’re still searching for Paradise’s Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Baines comes off as more of a Joey Bishop in this scenario. The first season demonstrated how fragile Paradise can be, even with Sinatra’s firm grip on the reins. Without it, anything could happen.

5.
How receptive will the residents of Paradise be to Jeremy?

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself captivated by the character of Jeremy Bradford, son of President Bradford, who sported a charming floppy hairdo in our favorite series. In the season finale, he embarked on a mission to expose the deceptions perpetrated by the authorities in Paradise. Though he’s armed with truth, it remains uncertain whether his message will resonate deeply amidst the residents.

It’s plausible that these residents may want to cling onto the foundational illusions of their new home and dismiss Jeremy as a conspiracy theorist or worse, a fraudster. After all, the offspring of a renowned political figure can hardly be suspected of such accusations, right? However, beyond his knowledge and courage to speak up, Jeremy possesses an undeniable charisma and good looks. This could potentially spark a resistance movement surrounding him – maybe even involving his mother, if she reappears in the storyline.

6.
How important will flashbacks be going forward?

It appears that “The Day” significantly enhanced President Bradford’s narrative, providing insights into the founding of Paradise that were previously unclear. Although there might be unexplored aspects of other characters’ pasts, the current flashbacks have been instrumental to the series. If these flashbacks aren’t central in future seasons, any new survivors introduced could have their own compelling stories waiting to be unfolded. An engaging way to share these narratives would be to stretch them out across multiple episodes.

7.
Whither Maggie the waitress?

In “The Man Who Kept Secrets,” it is revealed that the seemingly ordinary librarian of Paradise, Trent (portrayed by Ian Merrigan), has been hiding a dark past. Contrary to his presented identity, he was once an outcast with a vendetta against President Bradford, who he attempted unsuccessfully to assassinate in earlier times. Under the guise of being a resident of Paradise, Trent aims to complete his mission. (It’s worth noting that Trent had reasons for wanting Bradford dead, but we can delve deeper into those motives elsewhere.)

In the finale, it’s clear that Trent’s story has reached its conclusion. (Rest in peace.) However, the fate of the woman who pretended to be his wife, Maggie (Michelle Meredith), remains uncertain. As the episode winds down, we find Dr. Gabriela Torabi dining on her favorite appetizer, but it’s not Maggie serving her. Is Maggie in custody? Will she be able to resume her previous life? After all, Maggie had no intention of harming the president; she just wanted a safe haven. So, who will be the one whipping up those popular cheese fries in the new era without Bradford around?

8.
When Carl snuck his dog into the bunker, did he consider he was condemning it to be the last dog on earth?

This question hints at many other questions. It seems that Carl, a neighbor of Collins, has violated the rules by bringing a small dog into Paradise, an area apparently forbidden to animals. Did he perhaps ponder the possibility that this dog could be Earth’s last surviving canine? Or did he ever think about the burden of being the best dog in existence? (To be honest, considering he might be the only dog on the planet, there’s not much pressure.) But, no animals, truly? Isn’t that a challenging balance for an ecosystem, given the role of microbes, insects, and pollinators? What about the source of food for these organisms? Where are the plants cultivated? And, taking this line of thought further, where does the wastewater go in Paradise?

9.
What other songs are on President Bradford’s mixtape?

In the first episode, it was clear that President Bradford had a strong affection for some popular songs from the 1980s. This love affair continued as a recurring theme throughout the series due to a mix CD he gave Jesse, which contained both hints about Paradise’s secrets and his favorite tunes. Many of these tracks were later covered in a melancholic style on the soundtrack, with songs like “We Built This City” by Starship being particularly poignant. Who would have thought that such an upbeat song could convey so much sadness? Think again!

As a devoted fan of the series, I can’t help but wonder about the future of the music in Paradise. If we consider that each ’80s track, whether original or reimagined, takes up approximately 20 to 25 minutes across six slots on the disc, we’re looking at around two seasons’ worth of tunes. However, a CD-R can hold about 74 minutes of music, leaving plenty of room for additional tracks. Yet, the question remains: what iconic ’80s hits will they choose next? Will the reinterpretations of classics like Peter Cetera’s “Glory of Love” or Baltimora’s “Tarzan Boy” evoke a bittersweet nostalgia or create fresh memories? Among the many mysteries that Paradise leaves us pondering, this one is particularly intriguing.

Read More

2025-03-05 00:14