Paradise

By Nadine Olmande-Mentor

Paradise is more than just a sci-fi thriller- it’s a deeply realistic human story about loss, survival, and expectations. The Hulu original series was created by Dan Fogelman and premiered on the streaming service on January 26th, 2025. It instantly captivated viewers, such as me, with its complex characters and detailed plot.

It follows Secret Service Agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) as he investigates the murder of President Cal Bradford (James Marsden), which is the first murder in their dystopian underground bunker city. Though the show is full of suspense and muster, Paradise also excels in its emotional depth. The people of this city aren’t just surviving a world-ending catastrophe- they’re also battling their inner demons, something that we all can relate to.

WARNING: SPOILER AHEAD!

​To me, one of the most powerful moments throughout the show is a flashback between Cal and his father. Cal’s father berates him throughout this flashback. Cal is told that he’s a disgrace and never worked for anything in his life. I’m deeply connected with this scene and Cal. I feel connected to Cal because I know what he’s going through. Feeling the weight of everybody’s expectations of you while trying to prove yourself leaves you feeling overwhelmed. The feeling of never being enough makes you feel lost and self-doubt. His feelings of loneliness and self-doubt makes him incredibly relatable.

​Then there's Xavier. Xavier is simply a desperate man trying to keep his family together. During the world-ending events that we see through the flashbacks, his wife, Dr. Teri Rogers-Collins (Enuka Okuma), is ​presumed dead, leaving Xavier to raise their children alone. As someone raised by a single parent, I can deeply connect to his children’s struggles. Watching your parent bear all the stress of raising you and your sibling alone without help. Also, I constantly feel like a burden and do not want to add more to their full plate as they are constantly working, never having time to themselves, and having to provide for you and your sibling. Xavier’s pain and determination throughout the season make him one of the most compelling characters on TV.

​Paradise is widely loved by its watchers because it reflects real-life struggles that we all go through at one point in our lives- love, ambition, grief, and failure. I genuinely believe it’s the show of the year and should be watched. With Season 2 already in the works, I can’t wait to see what’s next in Agent Collins' life. If you haven’t watched it yet, you should. It’s not just a TV show- it’s a masterpiece and an incredible experience that I know will stay with you forever.