The Man Who Kept the Secrets

After last week's episode, this episode started off slowly. Some questions about who killed the president and why will be answered. You will be surprised by who it is and why it happened. The clues from earlier in the season tie together here and leads Xavier to an answer. Once that's revealed in the episode, the writing sets up more questions that pique our interest and set up Season 2. By the time the episode ended and the credits rolled, I was wondering when is Season 2? It can't happen fast enough.

The episode sets up the cliffhanger for what's next. No spoilers again in this review because it's best if you don't know before you watch this. You won't be disappointed. I would give this episode 9.5 after last week's hands down 10. But it is a great ending and some closure to Season 1. Can't wait for Season 2 to drop.

On the title alone I would have given it a miss. On the surface what appeared to be a murder mystery thriller turned into something quite different. Some solid performances from stalwarts such as James Marsden, Sarah Shahi & Sterling Brown. And a few newcomers to watch out for in Aaliyah Mastin & Nicole Brydon Bloom. I came in at the penultimate episode and was hooked. I watched entire series over a week. Slow burn. Characters strong. Storyline unpredictable. Wrapped up nicely in the last episode. Set it up well for next series.

This finale was a masterclass in storytelling, wrapping up intricate plotlines with grace and emotional resonance. The conclusion felt earned-nothing was rushed, and every twist reflected the show's meticulous planning. It was a thoughtful, emotionally charged send-off that honored the themes and character arcs, proving that great storytelling is about tying up loose ends with purpose and heart. While the writing left the audience in suspense, it struck the perfect balance, building excitement for the next season without leaving us hanging too much. Can't wait to see what Sterling discovers in the outside world!

From the outside looking in, a series like Paradise might seem a little generic: President, Secret Service, espionage-esque plots, lots of action and running-around. But I absolutely beg you to give this one a shot, as it contains so much more than what originally meets the eye.

For a very basic overview, this first season of Paradise tells the story of Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown), a Secret Service agent in charge of protecting President Cal Bradford (James Marsters)--a leader he loathes. When Cal ends up dead minutes into episode one, Xavier embarks on a mission to find the killer--leading him to mysterious advisor Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson) & fellow Agents Robinson (Krys Marshall), Jane (Nicole Brydon Bloom), and Billy (Jon Beavers). As Xavier continues sussing out the situation, viewers begin to learn that not everything is as it seems in the seemingly quaint little village of Paradise.

It is really hard to write a spoiler-free review of Paradise because an enormous twist re-contextualizes the entire experience, so I don't want to rob you of that. But suffice it to say, there is more buried underneath the surface of Paradise than you can possibly imagine!

Like I said, Paradise might look a little bit "network TV procedural" from clips/trailers, but it is instead an absolutely masterpiece of story and characters.

From a plot perspective, show creator Dan Fogelman--of This Is Us & Tangled fame--creates an 8-episode slate here that is as compelling as any single season of a series I've ever seen (including greats like LOST, Homeland, Breaking Bad, etc.). Through the use of flashbacks and incredible narrative twists, Fogelman expertly parcels out information to keep you on the edge of your set.

Similar brilliance is shown with the characters. Brown, Marsters, & Nicholson (who in particular is an absolute scene-stealer) are fully-realized characters with fleshed-out backstories and motivations. There are no clear "heroes and villains"--but rather just individuals doing what they have to in order to deal with trauma and/or provide for their families.

I could sing the praises of Paradise for many more sentences, but I'll stop here and just say this: if you are at all a fan of good, solid TV drama this is a must-watch. It is the furthest thing from "generic", yet at the same time isn't so high-brow or high-concept as to be wearisome. The type of series that ABC could have put over-the-air in the 2000s and perhaps had a LOST-like effect.

Very goodThis episode is absolutely amazing! Right from the start, it draws you in with intense suspense and keeps you hooked until the very end. The pacing is perfect, balancing action with moments of emotional depth. The performances are incredible, with the actors really bringing their characters to life in ways that make you care deeply about their journey. There are unexpected twists that leave you speechless, and the cinematography adds an extra layer of excitement. The writing is sharp, keeping you engaged with every line of dialogue. This episode sets the bar high and is a must-watch!!