Paradise Season 2 Review

Paradise (2025-)

Season 2 - 8 episodes (2026)
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Created by: Dan Fogelman
Starring: Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Enuka Okuma, Shailene Woodley, Thomas Doherty, Cameron Britton
Rated: TV-MA

Plot
Secret Service agent Xavier Collins investigates the murder of President Cal Bradford in a seemingly idyllic, yet secretive, underground city in Colorado, three years after a doomsday event.

In season two, Collins leaves the bunker to searches for his wife while we see life outside as well as survivors intent on breaching the bunker.

Verdict
I like this season better than the first, granted I'm fond of a post-apocalypse setting. Season one was a murder mystery with a unique setting, but it wasn't all that original. This season focuses on what it takes to survive a harsh world through various characters that Collins encounters while searching for his wife as the show leaves the murder mystery genre behind. The season provides more than a few hints at what's next with season three, though it's not apparent until the conclusion. It seems the next season will change genres again, focusing on sci-fi concepts of time manipulation. If it can match season two, it will be well worth it.
Watch It.

Review
In season one, Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) finds President Bradford (James Marsden) dead. They had a falling out, but Collins is still committed to the job. Then we have Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson), the richest person in the world who funded this underground society and also happens to be a megalomaniac. The first season did a good job of tying the story together while leaving it open for a second season. President Bradford used an EMP to neutralize missiles before entering the bunker, but it cut off all communications which is how Collins and his wife were separated. It turns out topside is livable despite Sinatra keeping that information hidden, and Collins's wife is also alive. I was concerned that trying to expand the story and leave the bunker would weaken this season.

The first episode starts with Annie (Shailene Woodley), a medical school drop out that survived the fallout by living in Elvis's Graceland bunker where she used to be a tour guide. An ash cloud blocked out the sun as temperatures dropped. It's a great first episode.

E4: Shailene Woodley plays Annie

Collins (Sterling K. Brown) crashes en route to Atlanta trying to find his wife Teri (Enuka Okuma). He just happens to land in Alabama near Annie who finds him after the crash and subsequent attack. The second episode provides a flash back showing how Collins and Teri met back when he was in Quantico.

It's hinted early in the season that Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson) has a side project, though the nature of it isn't revealed until later. It's important enough that Sinatra has the company head killed so she could obtain the technology before the apocalypse.

Episode four returns to Collins and Annie. They're the best plot point of the season. She wants to go to Colorado to reunite with Link (Thomas Doherty), who she met as he was passing through. Collins is adamant he's going to Atlanta. Annie trusts no one, and he's pushing her to trust. She agrees to go to Atlanta first as long as he will get her to Colorado. Of course she's put in a situation where she must trust strangers. Collins makes it to Atlanta, but he doesn't find Teri.

E5: Sterling K. Brown plays Xavier Collins

This season features several vignettes about various characters. Gary (Cameron Britton) was a postal worker, and we see how he started prepping with an online gaming friend, Ennis. Teri becomes part of the group out of necessity. This could create a spin off about that group. There's a lot happening off screen, though the result is that Ennis is strict as a means of control due to loneliness. Gary falls for Teri, which wasn't a surprise. Collins finds Gary, and he soon realizes that Gary isn't telling him everything.

Episode six provides backstory on Jane (Nicole Brydon Bloom), Sinatra's top henchman. It seems like initially the episode will humanize her, though it does reveal even more crimes.

In episode seven a group of captives in the bunker makes an escape while the council recommends a full lock down due to Link's group at the gates demanding entry. The automated systems and redundancies suddenly don't matter. Also, there's the recurring question of who or what is Alex. The name has been a frequent  question throughout the season, building suspense.

E8: Thomas Doherty plays Link

In the final episode we meet Alex as the show shifts from post-apocalypse survival to all-out sci-fi. Most of that will be explored in the third season though. Link's group infiltrates the bunker which in turn is being evacuated due to a reactor meltdown. Sinatra stays behind, sinking with her ship, and I suppose she's paying for her mistakes.

I wondered what this show would do with a second season, and the answer is a genre shift. The third season appears poised to shift yet again as it's hinted the show will explore alternate or parallel dimensions. Xavier Collins might be the predicted hero, but Link is likely to play a pivotal role. I'm in. I thought the first season was okay, but at its core it was a murder mystery distinguished only by the setting. This season manages to deliver engaging characters, even if they are little more than cameos. There's apparently much more to come.