Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Paradise season 1.Hulu’sParadisehas been the surprise hit of 2025 so far, as the show delivered an exceptional first season, and its best episode presents a massive challenge for season 2 that could improve the project. The drama series came to a stunning conclusion asParadise’s killer was revealed in season 1’s finale, adding more layers to the show and setting up a thrilling next outing. After such a positive reception,Paradisewas officially greenlit for a second season, with the story set to go in a completely new direction after Xavier Collins went to find his wife outside the city.
Following a fatal disaster, it was assumed that anyone outside the show’s main location - or something similar in other parts of the world - would have died, especially after nuclear warfare began. However,Paradise’s shocking reveal that there were survivors outsidethe underground city shakes up the plot massively heading into season 2. With a fresh new narrative to explore and more interesting characters to introduce, season 2 already sounds great, but the series must learn a valuable lesson from its best episode, and if it does,Paradisecould cement its legacy as a truly iconic piece of television.
The Show Is Constantly Throwing Its Characters' Morality Into Question
Image via Hulu
WhileParadisewas advertised as a mystery show all about exploring who killed President Bradford, its moral ambiguity was equally important and helped make the story so compelling. Exploring what happened to Cal was undoubtedly an interesting part of season 1, but with every new secret, a moral dilemma seemed to come with it, helping elevate the drama.Xavier’s hatred for Calstemmed from the President’s inability to save his wife, butParadiseproved that both characters had made questionable choices. Neither comes across as completely good nor bad, but rather morally flawed men trying to do what’s best.
Although Cal wasn’t able to get Xavier’s wife on a plane toParadise’s underground city, he did launch an EMP against the wishes of his Presidential team, subsequently disabling the nukes and giving people a fighting chance of survival. Likewise, while Xavier spent most of the series trying to uncover Sinatra’s secrets and expose the truth, he ultimately stayed silent to protect his children. While the show undeniably had some well-executed twists,it was ultimately the moral conundrums that provided some ofParadise’s best moments, which made the series so fascinating.
Watching characters make sacrifices for the greater good or selfishly doing what’s best for them added to the intensity of the project, and season 2 must somehow match this. The mysteries may not be quite as prominent in the next installment, butParadiseshould still try to continue asking moral questions of its cast if it wants to repeat season 1’s success.
Why “The Day” Was Paradise Season 1’s Best Episode
“The Day” Combined All Of Paradise’s Best Attributes To Create A Truly Outstanding Piece Of Television
Paradisehad a few stand-out episodes, but “The Day” was undoubtedly its best as it contained all the show’s best elements. Throughout the entire episode, it was clear things would end with the main characters eventually making it to the underground city, but there was still a sense of mystery about what happened to everyone else as the world came to an end.Getting to finally see exactly what happened when everything fell apart was tense, tragic, and terrifying all at once, withParadisedoing an excellent job of capturing the emotion and intensity of such a seismic event.
The use of flashbacks was a prominent storytelling tool in season 1, but “The Day” utilized this technique better than most. The majority of the episode took place in the past, but the events inside the White House added to what was happening in the present between Xavier and Sinatra. It filled in many of the gaps surrounding Cal and Xavier’s relationship alongside how the world reacted to watching society fall apart. There were also plenty of moral dilemmas throughout “The Day”, as Cal’s decision to address the nation honestly and Xavier betraying Marsha created some highly emotional moments.
The realism, high-stakes drama, and use of the show’s best elements cemented episode 7 asParadise’s best episode, and season 2 will have a hard time overcoming it.
Paradiseepisode 7’s endingalso produced another impossible situation for Xavier ahead of the finale, as it was revealed his wife was still alive somewhere outside the city, but he’d have to keep Sinatra’s secret to find her and ensure his daughter’s safety. Additionally, there were countless memorable performances, with Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, Julianne Nicholson, and Krys Marshall all combining to make “The Day” a truly special bit of TV. The realism, high-stakes drama, and use of the show’s best elements cemented episode 7 asParadise’s best episode, and season 2 will have a hard time overcoming it.
Paradise Season 2 Should Continue Using Flashbacks While Creating More Questions
WithParadise’s story far from over, season 2 can use season 1’s critically acclaimed penultimate episode to make the show even better. After the finale, it’s clear thatParadise’s disaster - alongside the impact it has had on people - is one of the most interesting parts of the show. While flawed, Xavier and Cal are both decent men attempting to do the right thing, but in the face of tragedy, they still ultimately make decisions that benefit themselves. In contrast, characters like Sinatra and the Librarian are much less apologetic about their compromised morality.
Paradise Episode 7’s Story About The World Almost Ending In 1963 Is Based On A Terrifying Real Event
Paradise’s seventh episode ties the Hulu thriller’s world ending catatrsophe to a moment when the real world was almost consumed by nuclear war.
James Marsden’s excellent performance in “The Day” proves he can still be used in season 2even though most of Cal’s secrets have been revealed, while Jon Beavers was another excellent part ofParadiseseason 1’s castwho could be utilized through flashbacks. Even while knowing the outcome of the world-ending event that took place during “The Day”, the episode still managed to create suspense about certain characters' actions and their fate, which is a technique the next outing should adopt while continuing to ask moral questions.
Episode 7 nailed all of these elements, and if season 2 can replicate them, the show will continue to thrive. Therefore,Paradisecontinuing to push its main protagonists into tough decisions and adding new mysteries to the plot will be what ultimately keeps a core identity, and if it can maintain effective flashbacks, there’s no reason that the show’s future won’t be successful.
Why Paradise Season 2 Must Continue Using Its Mysteries & Moral Questions
The Tense Drama & Complex Decisions Helped Make Paradise One Of 2025’s Surprise Hits
Season 1 did a great job of hooking viewers in and getting them attached toParadise’s interesting universe and characters, but the show must continue using its best traits when it returns. Many people would have givenParadisea chance based on its murder mystery appeal, and even if they grew to enjoy all the other interesting elements the series has to offer, it can’t afford to change its main genre. The outside world is sure to have plenty of interesting surprises as people attempt to rebuild, with survivors likely fighting for resources and forming factions.
Paradisecreator, Dan Fogleman, claimed that season 2’s script has been written, and he is hoping the show will return in 2026.
As a result, there are plenty of mysteries that could arise from this new direction, while still having all the unsolved questions within the city, such as Jane’s true intentions and Jeremy’s potential revolution. Equally,maintaining the moral complexity of the show is crucial to upholding its identity, since Xavier will likely face all sorts of cross-roads in his attempt to find his wife.Paradisecleverly blended action and romantic themes into the show, but moral conundrums and mysteries remain its key selling point, making it essential season 2 keeps these key characteristics, no matter where the story goes next.
