This pivotal episode disappointed me for several reasons, as it is so full of plot holes. Basically it sets up the all-important battle between Sterling and Julianne for control of Paradise, but the balance of power is way out of whack.
Several gimmicks all point to Sterling as the new boss (not the same as the old boss), with Julianne depicted as unprepared and ineffectual. She has Shahi as her helper and importantly the sane force to restrain her worst instincts, while Action Man Sterling seems to hold all the cards to pull off a rebellion (his Castro versus her Batista?). But unconvincing script contrivances give her an ace in the hole in the person of Jane, her loyal killer.
Worst element is the silly references to Die Hard, in order to make us think cornily of Sterling as the John McClane of Paradise. This is an absurd comparison -Bruce Willis as McClane was able to fight impossible odds because he was a secret weapon -the bad guys didn't have a clue who they were up against. Sterling however is Julianne's trusted #1 guard who was in charge of protecting the president, yet he runs loose making his preparations and arming his troops against her.
By episode's end, we're dangled a big reveal for the Season Finale, including the secret of what happened (or is happening) to all those folks who survived the disaster and weren't whisked off to Paradise.
