Dan Fogelman is known for his love of a good bait-and-switch, and This Is Us was a masterclass in that. I was very excited to see Sterling K. Brown reunite with Dan Fogelman and lead this powerful cast.
In Paradise, Dan Fogelman elevates his signature storytelling style with a bold attempt to blend political intrigue and speculative fiction. Premiering January 28, the series initially positions itself as a political thriller, drawing comparisons to The Diplomat and Scandal. However, in classic Fogelman fashion, it subverts expectations by the end of the first episode, expanding its narrative beyond politics. This surprising twist raises the stakes, allowing the series to tackle urgent global issues like climate change, political self-interest, and the unchecked power of billionaires. While Paradise dazzles with its moment-to-moment intensity, it struggles to reconcile its ambitious themes with underdeveloped world-building and thinly sketched characters. What could have been a sharp societal critique ends up as grand, twist-filled entertainment—occasionally gripping but often implausible.
The story centers on Xavier Collins, played by This Is Us standout Sterling K. Brown. Xavier is the disciplined yet haunted head of security for President Cal Bradford (James Marsden). Early in the premiere, Xavier discovers the President’s lifeless body, thrusting him into the center of a classic political conspiracy. As Bradford’s last known contact, Xavier becomes a prime suspect. His actions in the aftermath raise suspicions, prompting viewers to question his motives. Yet, from the outset, something feels off about the portrayal of the American presidency in Paradise. The President’s residence doesn’t resemble the White House, and a flashback to his second term introduces ambiguous hints about term limits, signaling deeper mysteries beneath the surface.
To reveal more would spoil the show’s many twists, but Paradise walks a fine line between grounded political drama and speculative fiction. Fogelman dives into contemporary concerns—climate crises, political corruption, and the immense influence of tech billionaires. However, the dialogue can feel heavy-handed at times, veering into melodrama.
The cast delivers strong performances that help carry the show. Brown anchors the series with his layered portrayal of Xavier, exuding grief and determination in equal measure. Marsden’s charismatic yet flawed President Bradford provides a compelling counterbalance, and their fraught dynamic is one of the show’s highlights. Julianne Nicholson shines as a cold, calculating tech mogul with ties to Bradford, while Glynn Turman and Cassidy Freeman add depth to the ensemble.
However, the series falters in its execution. Like many modern streaming dramas, Paradise prioritizes plot twists over meaningful character development or coherent world-building. While the rapid pacing keeps the binge-worthy energy alive, the implausibility of some storylines becomes distracting by midseason, diluting any deeper resonance the show might aim to achieve.
The storytelling techniques that worked so effectively in This Is Us—parallel timelines, emotional trauma, and genre-blending tropes—feel recycled here, lacking the same emotional depth. The choice to use ‘80s rock songs, including moody, female-led covers, as a recurring motif also comes across as manipulative, adding little to the series' thematic weight.
The most significant missed opportunity lies in Xavier’s backstory, particularly a heartbreaking event revealed only in the penultimate episode. By withholding this context, the series limits its ability to explore the moral and political dilemmas at its core, leaving viewers disconnected from the characters until it’s almost too late to care.
Despite its flaws, Paradise manages to stand out in a crowded streaming landscape. Sterling K. Brown’s compelling performance, along with the strong ensemble cast, elevates the series, even when its narrative stumbles. While it may not achieve the depth or nuance of a truly great political thriller, Paradise offers enough twists and drama to keep audiences engaged. It’s a show with big ideas, even if it doesn’t fully deliver on them.
Paradise debuts on Hulu on January 28.
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