Paradise was the political sci-fi thriller we didn’t know we needed this year. Sometimes, it feels like we’re already living in a sci-fi thriller in real time, but the show has just enough twists to make you think, at least we’re not that far gone. The end of season 1 left off with some major cliffhangers and a rebellion by Agent Collins against the people in power (Sinatra and her loyalists).
Xavier, a.k.a. Agent Collins, is possibly the only trustworthy person close with the late president Cal Bradford. Without Cal to help clarify some questions, Agent Collins must solve some mysteries on his own to find out the truth about the safe haven they call "Paradise".
Originally, Paradise starts out leading viewers to think that the show will be about figuring out who killed the President. However, there’s so much more to unpack! Uncovering the truth comes with some casualties, including Agent Collin’s co-secret-serviceman, Agent Billy Pace.
At first, many fans thought Pace was the culprit for the Cal’s murder. Although we find out that he’s not completely innocent, he’s also not responsible for assassinating the President. Instead, the city’s librarian, Trent, sealed the fate of the amateur President (read more about the ending explained at Mashable).
Paradise season 2 teaser reveals a new location
The teaser for Paradise season 2 lets us know to expect scenes on Ground Zero — above the bunker in Colorado — where imminent and unknown dangers await. The teaser even replays Cal’s voice, warning Xavier that, “the world outside is simply no longer survivable”. Is this a myth created by Sinatra that Cal fell victim to believing, or could Xavier be in real danger by trying to return for his wife?
Xavier is set on saving his wife, Teri, now that he knows there’s a possibility she could still be out there. Each post-apocalyptic show creates a space to entertain the idea of fate — if Teri hadn’t been left behind on the above-ground Earth, would anyone from below be going to search for potential survivors? We found out in Paradise season 1 that Sinatra sent a team to annihilate any survivors without the public’s knowledge, but it’s likely only a matter of time before more characters find out the truth.
The teaser leaves fans guessing about Teri’s survival
In the teaser, it's clear there are survivors, but we don’t get a good enough glimpse to see if Xavier’s wife is one of them. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s paramount to the plot, since she’s the reason Agent Collins is taking the risk to go to the surface. While I hope that she and Xavier reunite, according to IMDb, she’s only in four episodes of season 2, which doesn't seem too promising.
The comments in the teaser about the show are overwhelmingly positive. One user, @filmobsessesnerd, says, “the first season caught me by surprise so much overall in every episode and then episode 7 happened and it changed everything! I am hoping we get that level here with the new season as we get a change of pace and scenery.”
I agree — it’s hard to believe season 2 can top season 1, but we are hoping the writers and producers succeed!
Who will be joining the cast for Paradise season 2?
The biggest reveal for the cast is Shailene Woodley (Secret Life of an American Teenager, Big Little Lies). We don’t know her exact role, but in the teaser, she seems like someone from the outside.
While Sterling’s TV wife remains one of the big mysteries of Paradise season 2, Entertainment Weekly reveals that his real wife will join the cast in a guest role this season.
Thomas Doherty (Tell Me Lies) might just be causing some trouble for Agent Collins on Ground Zero. According to Deadline, Doherty will allegedly play the leader of a biker gang — the exact opposite of Agent Collins put together, no-nonsense demeanor.
While Nicole Brydon Bloom, who plays secret agent Jane Driscoll, isn’t a new character, it’s interesting to note that she’s marked as returning for 11 total episodes in season 2 by IMDb. This is appalling since it’s two more episodes than the main character, Sterling K. Brown — prepare for some surprises centered around her!
The ending line of the official teaser is Sinatra saying, “it was never just about the bunker” hinting at a big secret that she’s about to unleash. How can the secrets possibly get any bigger than the secrets in season 1? Let the countdown begin for season 2!
Paradise season 2 premiers Monday, Feb. 23 on Hulu and Disney+.
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