Paradise a new drama thriller series from hulu has generated considerable discussion because of a notable plot twist revealed at the conclusion of its first episode. This series is created by Dan Fogelman who is also known for series like This Is Us and Pitch which also featured significant twists in their early episodes.
Initial Setup and the Episode One Revelation in Paradise
The series Paradise stars Sterling K. Brown as Xavier Collins a Secret Service agent. Collins is tasked with protecting former President of the United States Callum Bradford played by James Marsden . Bradford resides in a very secure gated community. Initially the setting suggests a story about potential dangers within an exclusive seemingly safe town.
However the narrative takes a turn when in the first episode Collins discovers President Bradford has been murdered. This sets up a murder mystery within the community. The show initially leads viewers to believe it will explore the disruption of safety in a controlled environment. Questions arise about the killer's identity Collins's reaction to the death and flashbacks about Collins's assignment to the president.
The major twist is disclosed in the final moments of the first episode. The gated community is not just an exclusive town. It is an underground bunker located inside a mountain in Colorado. The residents are not simply wealthy individuals. They are the last survivors of humanity in the United States who sought refuge in this bunker after a global catastrophe. President Bradford is not just a former president but the current leader of this bunker community. He oversaw the nation's downfall and escaped to the bunker. Agent Collins's resentment towards President Bradford stems from Bradford's failure to save Collins's wife while ensuring his children's safety in the bunker.
Paradise Joins a Growing Genre of Bunker Survival Narratives
Paradise is part of a trend in television exploring themes of apocalypse survival and bunker societies . Recent shows like Silo Fallout and Murder at the End of the World also explore similar concepts of humanity seeking shelter in enclosed environments to escape a hostile outside world. Earlier examples include Snowpiercer and American Horror Story: Apocalypse which also utilize the bunker survival theme. This trend reflects contemporary anxieties about global disasters and survival.
Twist Mechanics and Narrative Style in Paradise Compared to Fogelman's Previous Work
While Fogelman's previous series like Pitch and This Is Us used twists to reshape character relationships Paradise employs a different kind of twist. Paradise uses a science fiction style revelation to redefine the entire world of the show. The twist in Paradise is more about world construction. This approach allows Paradise to move into a thriller format with a more linear chronological storyline. Even with typical Fogelman elements such as revealing significant backstories of minor characters the murder mystery and the apocalyptic setting provide considerable momentum to the narrative.
Critical Reception and Show Elements of Paradise
Some critics note that Paradise can be overly dramatic and relies heavily on musical cues from Gen-X anthems. The show uses covers of popular songs often with a sad emo or techno style. Visuals are described as somewhat uninspired and less polished compared to other bunker-themed streaming shows.
Despite these points Paradise is considered by some to be more engaging than other similar shows. Its fast pace continuous surprises and shifting objectives help maintain audience interest. The show embraces a straightforward and entertaining approach to its apocalyptic scenario. It prioritizes immediate impact and surprise over subtle nuances. The series emphasizes dramatic reveals and fast-paced plot developments.
Creator and Cast Insights on Paradise
Dan Fogelman describes Paradise as intentionally avoiding direct political commentary or lecturing on issues like climate change. He states the show focuses on unfolding events and human stories within the given circumstances. Fogelman aimed to provide a complete narrative within the first season answering key questions for the audience by the end of the eight episodes.
Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden discussed the show's twist and their characters' reactions to crisis. Brown mentioned he was not informed about the twist beforehand and experienced surprise upon reading the script similar to his experience with This Is Us. Marsden highlighted Fogelman's focus on human experiences relationships and emotional complexities as central to the show even within a spectacular plot.
Fogelman conceived the idea for Paradise before This Is Us. He developed the concept and then approached Sterling K. Brown for the lead role. The series was planned as a three-season narrative with each season presenting a slightly different focus while maintaining the same core characters and setting. Fogelman intends to answer initial mysteries within the first season and then introduce new questions and journeys for subsequent seasons.
The initial episodes of Paradise establish a world that appears idyllic but is revealed to be artificial and contained. The series uses visual cues and reveals to highlight the manufactured nature of the community and the underlying secret of the bunker.
Paradise is compared to other series and films exploring underground communities like Silo Fallout and The Truman Show. These narratives often explore themes of environmental disaster societal breakdown and the nature of control within confined environments. They frequently involve characters discovering the truth about their enclosed world and seeking to understand or escape it.