Paradise Outshines Lost in This Game-Changing Way

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  • How Are ‘Lost’ and ‘Paradise‘ Similar?
  • Dan Fogelman Knows How ‘Paradise’ Will End

Hulu’s latest political thriller series, titled Paradise, was crafted by Dan Fogelman. The story revolves around Secret Service Agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown), who, though not officially involved in the investigation, finds himself under scrutiny due to being the last person to see President Cal Bradford (James Marsden) alive before his murder. Initially, Xavier becomes a person of interest in this shocking crime. However, with the assistance of fellow agent and close friend Billy Pace (Jon Beavers), he decides to uncover the truth about the president’s death on his own. Soon, he discovers that there’s more to it than just a simple homicide, implying a larger scheme is at play.

The series titled “Paradise” initially appears ordinary, with scenes set both in the present and through flashbacks, until the end of its premiere episode. It’s then that viewers discover a twist: the entire storyline takes place within a colossal underground bunker located in Colorado. This shelter was constructed by the world’s wealthiest woman, Samantha Redmond (Julianne Nicholson, also known as Sinatra), following an impending extinction-level event on Earth. She invites the president and 25,000 other residents to live out their remaining days in this unique sanctuary. However, her intentions are not as noble as they seem.

In terms of its solitary setting and enigmatic plotlines, Paradise has been likened to ABC’s timeless hit, Lost, which debuted more than two decades ago. This show became a cultural sensation, often ranked among the greatest series ever produced despite the criticism it faced in its final seasons. While Paradise undeniably takes cues from Lost and shares many commonalities with it, Fogelman’s creation exceeds Lost in a crucial aspect.

How Are ‘Lost’ and ‘Paradise’ Similar?

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In different landscapes, both TV series “Lost” and “Paradise” construct their narratives around themes of seclusion. While “Lost” is set on a deserted island and “Paradise” within an underground bunker, the characters in each show are cut off from the wider world. Moreover, both shows are rich with enigmas that are gradually unveiled to the viewers, not presented in a straightforward manner. Instead of a traditional linear storyline, these shows cleverly interweave the present with the past to keep viewers guessing, promising resolution at some point.

In numerous aspects, both series, “Lost” and “Paradise”, prefer the intrigue of the journey over the satisfaction of reaching the destination. It’s clear that addressing the numerous questions viewers are bound to have is crucial. However, these shows understand that these answers would lose their charm if they were immediately handed out. Therefore, both series opt for a strategy where they scatter clues instead of revealing everything at once, allowing viewers to piece together the story themselves.

Dan Fogelman Knows How ‘Paradise’ Will End

Due to the structure of streaming platforms, the show “Paradise” has a clear advantage over “Lost” in terms of narrative flow, as its creator already knows how the series will conclude. Unlike “Lost,” which sometimes seemed directionless during its extended run, shows like “Paradise” can wrap up after a few well-planned seasons without losing focus or coherence. This is because streaming platforms allow for a more focused and polished storytelling experience.

When Lost first aired on network television, streaming wasn’t as prevalent as it is now, so the series had to progress season by season without knowing exactly how many seasons it would get from ABC. On the other hand, Fogelman has already mapped out Paradise as a three-season series, allowing him to set a clear finish line for the show. This gives him the ability to plan the overall narrative more effectively and coherently, something that Lost didn’t have due to not knowing how many seasons it would be given.

It’s worth mentioning that the first season of Paradise is available for streaming on Hulu right now, with fresh episodes premiering each Tuesday. Although creator Sam Fogelman may have a three-season plan for the show, it’s uncertain if there will be additional seasons just yet. However, the series’ popularity and captivating storyline could influence the streaming platform’s decision on whether to continue producing future seasons of Paradise.

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2025-02-23 02:05