‘Paradise’ review: Paradise Lost

The review contains some spoilers.

Creator/Writer Dan Fogelman’s new television series is set in “Paradise” three years after a cataclysmic volcanic eruption has set off a chain reaction of environmental devastation and destructive political response.

In this case, Paradise is the town of roughly 25,000 people that were able to make it to the pre-built secure shelter in the Colorado mountains.  American President Cal Bradford (James Marsden), his family, secret service entourage, and some officials have survived.  But the town is actually run by a secretive council of billionaires presided over by Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond (Julianne Nicholson), the world’s richest self-made woman.

Since the President dies in the very first episode, it is up to Agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) to discover if the President’s death is an accident or murder.  In the course of the pursuit of the truth, Collins learns the secrets of Paradise. At various points, he is ably assisted by supervising Agent Nicole Robinson (Khrys Marshall), various other agents, citizens, and even his own family.  It is the acting of Brown, Nicholson, Marshall, and Marsden that makes the plotline not just plausible, but compelling.

The truths of Paradise are not pleasant and often dangerous.  If the President were murdered, who killed him and why?  How were the inhabitants of Paradise selected?  Who really runs Paradise?  Did anyone outside of Paradise survive the environmental and nuclear war events?

Part of the allure of the many mysteries of Paradise is that such horrific events, once unfathomable, get closer to everyday possibilities.  Environmental disasters, man-made and natural, occur with increasing frequency and intensity.  The ultra-rich have largely withdrawn to fortified enclaves.  Wars rage unabated in many parts of the globe.   Increasingly lethal weaponry is used and threatened commonly.  Apocalypse appears inevitable.

Our fascination stems as much from the potential logistics as from the consequences.  The suspension bridge of disbelief has become a well-traveled highway.

That is not to say that Paradise is perfect.  They’ve paved Paradise a bit unevenly.  Characters and plotlines not completely identified earlier emerge as crucial at the last minute.  Other characters introduced with a flourish of rich promise hit the cutting room floor without developing the promise of their introductions.  Writer Fogelman relies a bit too much on deus ex machina to speed this vehicle toward resolutions and a second season.  And one may want to take anti-nausea medication to deal with the frequent flashbacks that explain plot twists and resuscitate characters who’ve expired!

Still, Paradise has been compelling enough to merit another season.  And who isn’t curious enough to find out what will ultimately happen to this poor, ill-treated planet and its benighted inhabitants?

Paradise is currently streaming on Hulu.