Who Killed Cal? The Top Suspects in ‘Paradise’ You Didn’t See Coming!

by

In this rephrased version:

The story unfolds within a mountainous sanctuary after the apocalypse, where 25,000 chosen survivors reside in what appears to be paradise. However, when President Cal Bradford (portrayed by James Marsden) is mysteriously killed, the facade of this seemingly ideal society starts to crack. This gripping narrative weaves together elements of a murder mystery and political intrigue.

The first episode of Paradise introduced an unexpected turn regarding Cal’s death, suggesting that his killer might not be who we initially think. Given this twist, it’s possible that anyone—even those seemingly innocent or highly suspicious characters—could be the culprit. This complexity adds to the excitement of guessing who might have killed President Cal. Here is a list of potential suspects in Cal’s murder, arranged from least likely to most probable.

10
Background Characters

Before we begin our primary examination of potential suspects, it’s important to mention that almost anyone in Paradise could theoretically have committed Cal’s murder. This is due to the fact that the cameras were not recording during the time of the crime, and the security on that particular night was less than ideal. Although we believe it’s highly improbable that Xavier’s children, Sinatra’s spouse, or the bartender are responsible, we can’t completely rule them out (mainly to have the satisfaction of saying, “We were correct!” if one of them turns out to be the perpetrator).

The Most Likely of the Unlikely

The array of secondary characters is quite extensive, ranging from the prophet-like scientist foretelling doom, the city’s architect, and Mike, the surveillance camera operator. Although it seems unlikely that any of these characters were involved in Cal’s demise, there’s a character who has been right under our noses all along who might plausibly have had a hand in Cal’s death: Cal himself could potentially be a suspect.

Just as Xavier was wrapping up his shift, he and Cal had an awkward conversation where Xavier made it clear he would only forgive Cal for the apparent death of Xavier’s wife when Cal was no longer alive. That very evening, Cal found himself abandoned by his son, drowning his sorrows in alcohol, and generally not in a good psychological condition. Granted, Cal couldn’t have physically assaulted himself or stolen his own device, but it’s conceivable that he hired someone else to carry out the act. Considering the man had many secrets and was grappling with immense grief, while this scenario is heartbreaking, convoluted, and statistically improbable, it’s not entirely unimaginable.

9
William “Billy” Pace

In simpler terms, by the end of the third episode, viewers perceived Billy Pace, often referred to as “Uncle Billy,” as potentially dangerous due to Gabriela’s warnings and his appearance at Xavier’s house armed. However, as of episode 4, it seems highly unlikely that he is responsible for the crime.

Instead of merely informing Xavier that he wasn’t responsible, he directly questioned Sinatra regarding the incident, expressing his desire not to learn about her actions involving the President. Additionally, viewers witnessed him perpetrate a potentially more severe crime—the murder of the four explorers. If he was on the verge of revealing this to Xavier, why would he hesitate to confess to killing Cal as well?

Clearing His Name

Prior to the conclusion of episode 4, there were several indications suggesting that Billy wasn’t the culprit. Firstly, the ending of episode 3 deliberately misdirected viewers towards Billy as a suspect, which was a blatant red herring. Secondly, at the start of episode 4, it was evident that Billy cherished his life in “Paradise.” He found an opportunity for normalcy, unfortunately cut short, which opened up another mystery for the characters to solve.

8
Xavier Collins

Our next person of interest is none other than Xavier Collins, portrayed by Sterling K. Brown. It’s plausible that among all characters on the show, Xavier has the most incentive and resources. However, it seems unlikely that he would invest so much energy into discovering Cal’s murderer if he himself were the culprit. Granted, he might be trying to conceal his actions, but considering his response to the body, which was witnessed only by the audience, it appears that either he has inexplicably forgotten about being the killer or, more probable, he wasn’t involved at all.

Less Motivation Than it Appears

Previously mentioned, there seems to be a strong possibility that Xavier could have been the killer of Cal. However, it’s essential to clarify that Xavier didn’t genuinely harbor intense hatred towards the man. While he was deeply upset about Cal causing his wife to be left behind, there were signs indicating that he still held affection for him. This can be observed in Xavier’s emotional response upon finding Cal’s body. Moreover, when directly questioned under a lie detector test about hating Cal, it appeared as though Xavier was preparing to respond “No.” In essence, killing Cal wouldn’t have served any purpose for Xavier, and even in this series known for its shocking plot twists, this one might be challenging to comprehend.

7
Nicole Robinson

Krys Marshall portrays Nicole Robinson, a figure who held a dual role in Cal’s life: both his hidden lover and security detail member. Significantly, an earring matching hers was discovered at the crime scene, and she was spotted on surveillance footage exiting his room shortly before the murder occurred. Nevertheless, Robinson appears low on our suspect list for several reasons similar to Xavier’s. She appears to be deeply invested in solving Cal’s murder and genuinely grieving him—a behavior that seems inconsistent with being the perpetrator. Why would she behave this way if she were the one responsible?

An Accidental Death

It could be that Robinson unintentionally killed Cal and has been making efforts to hide what transpired, not only from the other security officers but also from herself. The vision of a bloodied and dying Cal as he hugged her might have been a hallucination or a memory. The question remains: Was it all in her mind, or was it a recollection of events? Despite Robinson appearing to have an alibi and genuinely caring for Cal, there are sufficient indications that she should not be ruled out just yet.

6
Cal’s Family

As a passionate cinephile delving into the mystery surrounding Cal’s tragic demise, I must confess that little is known about his family’s role in the unfolding events. However, snippets of information hint at their potential innocence. My relationship with Cal’s wife, Jessica, was strained at best, and his connection with his son, Jeremy, was distant to say the least. Yet, Jessica had an ironclad alibi on the fateful night, and Jeremy, who vehemently avoided seeing his father that evening, seemed genuinely sorrowful upon hearing of his passing.

Cal’s father, Kane, is another enigma shrouded in suspicion, but he too has an alibi and suffers from dementia, which complicates matters. Despite the lingering doubts, Kane appeared to share a more amicable bond with Cal compared to others in his family. While it’s possible that one of them played a part in this tragedy, the available evidence thus far points towards their innocence.

…Or Is It?

It’s possible that those who seem least likely are the ones to watch closely. Cal speculated that Jessica intended to divorce him and seize custody of Jeremy as soon as he left office. Perhaps she grew tired of waiting and wanted the separation to happen sooner, or maybe Jeremy acted out due to his mother’s distress and carried out the deed himself.

Additionally, Kane has had minimal on-screen presence, much like Robinson, suggesting that he may have unintentionally contributed to Cal’s decline, similar to Cain in the original “Paradise.” This possibility is hinted at by Kane’s name, which shares a resemblance with Cain. Furthermore, introducing such a character could serve to contrast the troubled relationship between Xavier and his father.

5
Henry Baines

In a new turn of events, Matt Malloy portrays Henry Baines, who assumes the presidency after Cal’s assassination. Sinatra characterizes him as “the most neurotic president the world has ever known,” and based on initial impressions, it seems she’s not too far off the mark. Henry is plagued by fear that he could be the next target, and he’s dismayed that people are seemingly moving past Cal’s death as if it never occurred. This behavior may inadvertently suggest his innocence regarding the murder, which could prove to be a clever ruse.

Others Who Benefit

After President Henry passed away, many individuals stood to benefit from his death. This includes his wife Nance, who appears to be relishing her elevated position. Additionally, other wealthy individuals may have had motives for wanting Cal removed. It’s important to note that it’s unlikely Henry himself was the assassin, but he might have been involved in arranging the murder.

4
Jane Driscoll

In a turn of events, the character portrayed by Nicole Brydon Bloom, named Jane, is introduced in Cal’s residence, just before his untimely death. Similar to Billy, she had visited the night prior, apparently engaging in video games. Although it appears plausible that she was genuinely there, it’s also conceivable she briefly left for a moment to execute the assassination. Given that Billy instructed Sinatra to send “the biggest son of a gun” to deal with him, and Jane’s ruthless killing of Billy suggests she wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate Cal as well.

Too Obvious

Currently, the show appears to be leading viewers into believing that Jane is responsible for Cal’s death, but this might actually imply she isn’t the culprit. Moreover, the bushes outside were damaged, indicating that the perpetrator jumped out of a window, not Jane who remained inside. Even if Jane did deliver the fatal blow, it’s highly likely someone else was the one giving the orders. Therefore, while we can’t rule out Jane as a suspect, she doesn’t seem to be the orchestrator of the crime.

3
Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond

Regarding remarkable individuals, Julianne Nicholson’s portrayal of Sinatra found herself in an unexpected position of power over Paradise. Following the sale of her company and amassing a substantial fortune, she swiftly climbed the social ladder. A concerning climate summit sparked her interest in leading the community. Her determination, as evidenced by her conversation with Billy, suggests she will do whatever it takes to safeguard it. Could this inclination extend to eliminating Cal, our troubled and intoxicated leader? That’s a possibility, but there’s one significant obstacle to consider.

Where’s the Tablet?

In my opinion, as a movie buff reviewing this gripping tale, it’s clear that Sinatra is determined to keep whatever secrets the tablet holds out of the grasp of the wrong people. If she’s indeed responsible for Cal’s demise or was the one who pulled the trigger, it’s hard to imagine her letting the tablet slip away.

Now, you might argue that she could have taken it and fabricated a story about its disappearance. But this raises an intriguing question: why would she take it in the first place, when she could have left it secure in the safe for Cal’s successor, Henry, to handle? This plot twist certainly adds another layer of mystery to the narrative.

2
Dr. Gabriela Torabi

Gabriela, portrayed by Sarah Shahi, is almost at the top of our list. There’s something suspicious about her actions, like asking Xavier to agree he hated Cal when asked and telling him that Cal warned her about Billy. Unlike other characters, we don’t get a flashback confirming Cal’s statement, which makes us think she might have lied. Moreover, she appears unfazed by the potential consequences of her relationship with Xavier, suggesting she may have used intimacy to either gain his trust (or his distrust in Billy).

Other Weird Decisions

Gabriela was in charge of selecting 25,000 individuals from the community and determining who would lead Cal’s security team. Prior to her decisions, she aimed to gather as much information as possible. Yet, she considered Xavier as a ‘wild card,’ admitting that she was unaware of his past issues with his father. Since this matter involves potential illegality and tension, it seems crucial to have this knowledge beforehand.

Among Gabriela’s community selections, some are rather puzzling, like Billy, a man with a history of violence and assassinations. If Gabriela is behind these choices, it suggests she either fabricates the truth about her involvement (once again) or was directed to select individuals who could potentially endanger the community. In the former scenario, this already questionable decision-making process becomes even more problematic. This dilemma might be troubling Gabriela’s conscience, and perhaps choosing to kill Cal was her way of alleviating that burden.

1
Someone on the Outside

Surprisingly, episode 4 disclosed that the supposedly inhospitable world beyond was, in fact, capable of supporting life. While resources might be scarce and conditions far from perfect, a healthy-looking deer was spotted, and all five explorers, including Billy, were able to breathe freely. This expansion of possibilities implicates anyone who may still be alive outside, which could range from a random individual to one of the four explorers (who might have survived Billy’s shot), or even Xavier’s wife herself.

So Many Twists Remain

On the surface, many people harbor resentment towards Cal and covet his tablet. It’s unclear how they could have breached the bunker and reached his home, but it wouldn’t be shocking if one of the survivors managed to make it underground, seeking revenge. With only four more episodes left in this series, we can expect the truth to come out soon.

Read More

2025-02-08 23:02