Fans Are Furious: The ‘Paradise’ Finale Left Us All Disappointed!

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The following article contains spoilers for the TV show Paradise.

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  • What Is the Series ‘Paradise’ About?
  • The Disappointing ‘Paradise’ Season 1 Finale
  • Is There a Future in ‘Paradise’?

The gripping political thriller that recently graced Hulu screens, titled “Paradise”, created by Dan Fogelman (recognized for shows like “This Is Us” and “Only Murders in the Building”), has concluded after eight captivating episodes brimming with conspiracy intrigue. Although some threads from Season 1 were wrapped up, and the show’s central question was resolved, the ending of “Paradise” lacked a significant climax. In fact, many viewers were left puzzled when they discovered that the episode they had just watched marked the season finale.

As a movie critic, I must admit my initial enthusiasm for “Paradise” was short-lived. Despite the captivating opening episode, the series seemed to lose its way as it progressed. The abundance of characters with fluctuating motivations and objectives made it difficult to keep track, and their storylines felt underdeveloped.

What initially promised to be a gripping murder mystery morphed into something far more convoluted – an in-depth emotional examination of the government’s struggle for survival. However, this transformation left me longing for the intrigue that had first drawn me in, as the storyline seemed to fall short of the exciting premise.

I found myself hoping for improvement as I continued to watch, but unfortunately, the issues persisted, making it challenging to fully engage with the series.

In the finale of “Paradise,” there was a chance to tweak some aspects of the entire season’s narrative. However, what we received was a conclusion to a murder mystery that left viewers unsatisfied, a plot twist regarding the villains that seemed unreasonable, and indeed, an ending that left room for Sterling K. Brown’s character to embark on a completely different journey. Regrettably, it seems that the “Paradise” we once knew has transformed into a run-of-the-mill dystopian thriller focusing on human survival.

What Is the Series ‘Paradise’ About?

As a film enthusiast, I’d describe “Paradise” as a captivating tale that centers around an incredibly tiny remnant of humankind, chosen as the last vestiges of existence following the apocalypse. No extraterrestrial invasions or catastrophic meteor showers here. Instead, our beloved Earth was devastated by a monstrous megatsunami that followed a supervolcanic eruption. Thankfully, a brilliant scientist’s plea for reason resonated with the U.S. government, prompting them to act before it was too late and nuclear weapons were unleashed in an attempt to save what remained of humanity.

A dome-shaped edifice was erected, and within it entered the survivors. Among these is President Cal Bradford (James Marsden), naturally. Accompanying President Bradford is Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Brown), who brings along his kids but regrettably must leave his wife, Teri, behind. Agent Collins is a member of a tranquil community that thrives within this experimental city. The architects and planners of the city were correct in anticipating the requirements of the remnants of civilization. Every day is sunny, and even artificial speakers produce soothing sounds like those of crickets and birds.

As Collins carries out his regular routine one day, he discovers that the idyllic sanctuary isn’t as secure as it seems. Knocking on the President’s bedroom door, he receives no response. Forced to enter, he finds Bradford’s gruesome corpse inside. Though the suspects fluctuate, Bradford’s murder becomes less significant over time. When a new leader (Sinatra, portrayed by Julianne Nicholson) emerges, Collins starts to perceive that Bradford’s death was a means to expose something far more sinister.

In this series, the storyline is structured unconventionally, with about half of the events being revealed through a flashback narrative prior to the President’s assassination.

The Disappointing ‘Paradise’ Season 1 Finale

By the end of the series finale, all characters have been cleared as suspects in the President’s assassination. The mystery now seems irrelevant, but… Last week’s episode delved into the past events leading up to the establishment and sealing of the settlement. In the final scene, Bradford demonstrated compassion by sparing those left outside and averting missile strikes on major cities. Sinatra presents Collins with evidence proving his wife is alive and seeking him out. She retains her power and isn’t shy about asserting it. The self-proclaimed leader forces Collins to surrender if he wishes to reunite with his daughter (who is currently in the care of Jane Driscoll, a Secret Service agent with a penchant for poisoning those she cares for) and his wife.

Collins sets out on a quest to locate his missing wife. The story subsequently unmasks its antagonist as Trent, the library caretaker. In a flashback sequence, it is revealed that he attempted to assassinate the President during a construction project, was dismissed, and then planned to take revenge because the government concealed the deaths of workers at the site and withheld information about an impending catastrophe from the public. However, Trent successfully evaded capture, assumed new identities, and infiltrated the settlement under false pretenses.

In a significant build-up leading to the conclusion, Trent takes his own life and wraps up the primary storyline. However, this isn’t the last we see, clearly demonstrating that Paradise is not merely about the President’s assassination. The disappointing aspect of the series finale lies in the events that unfold immediately afterward.

In a new encounter, Collins confronts Sinatra regarding his daughter. Sinatra tells him it’s too late, as he had earlier instructed Jane to eliminate Presley (who also ended up killing her lover, Billy, on Sinatra’s orders). Before Collins could exact revenge against Sinata, Jane intervenes and shoots Sinatra instead. She assures Collins that Presley is safe, allowing him to reconnect with his daughter. The final scene depicts him departing the settlement to search for his missing wife.

In my perspective, what leaves me puzzled about this hasty conclusion is the role Jane appears to be playing now. Is she intended to be a villain or am I supposed to continue trusting her? It seems strange, almost surreal, but in the midst of Sinatra’s distress, she suggests he should have let her have the Wii. You might recall they used to sneak into the White House, disable the cameras, and spend nights playing Wii together. Now, one can’t help but wonder if Jane would have gone as far as to harm Presley had she gotten her hands on that Wii. Her actions in the final scene, with a moral compass that seems to navigate everywhere except logic, certainly raises many questions.

Is There a Future in ‘Paradise’?

The heaven-like setting of “Paradise” is set for a second round. It’s unclear if Agent Jane Driscoll has turned villainous, but it seems likely. With Sinatra out of commission, her role might be up for grabs, and Xavier may discover his spouse in the desolate landscape ahead. Each plot thread ended ambiguously, providing ample material to explore further in the next season.

To put it simply, what was once hidden has now been exposed. This series is no longer primarily focusing on the harmonious relationships within this peaceful sanctuary as initially expected. I had high hopes that it would adhere closely to Stephen King’s novel in Under the Dome, much like the TV show did with his book. However, the prolonged isolation and confinement portrayed in the story could potentially lead to a catastrophic breakdown, as seen in King’s extensive work about a society under lockdown where internal conflicts and darker aspects of human nature emerge during power struggles.

As for me, neither “Under the Dome” nor “Paradise” remained confined within their initial settings. Instead, it seems that “Paradise” will transition into a series exploring the outside world. The second season will focus on the aftermath, and I’m hoping for a more straightforward narrative, free from flashbacks and overly dramatic ’80s song covers. Here’s to a future filled with hope, reunions, and justice. Frankly, I find Jane’s actions disturbing, and it’s high time she faced consequences. Sinatra appears to be our best hope (given that he survived the shooting) as Collins might be too preoccupied explaining his relationship with Dr. Torabi to his spouse. Right now, “Paradise” is available on Hulu for streaming.

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2025-03-11 04:02