Paradise is the new latest series on Hulu from creator Dan Fogelman and starring Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, and James Marsden. The new show reunites Fogelman & Brown after their work together on This Is Us. Special Agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) is tasked with finding the killer of the U.S. president, becoming a prime suspect in the investigation. That’s the perfect way to explain the plot without revealing what it’s really about.

After his tremendous work on This Is Us, Sterling K. Brown shot his way up to super stardom and became one of my favorite working actors. The fact that he was going back to television after some successful film outings did have me concerned. Yet, I was optimistic due to him working with Dan Fogelman again. I am sure he read the script and knew it was something special, right? That’s how I like to think of it. What I didn’t think about is how Dan Fogelman would throw another incredible twist at the end of the first episode.

The first episode has somewhat of a repetitive plot point with someone high up being murdered and someone having to investigate it who is also being possibly framed. What makes the first episode work before its clever twist is within the talent. Fogelman clearly knew he needed to reunite with Brown again for this role. There’s no one else I could see playing this role. Brown says so much with his actions and expressions over his minimal dialogue. That’s what makes him one of the best actors working today. The guy has charisma in real life, and yet, finds a way to lock in every single time he is on screen.

I was a little worried with James Marsden’s character solely due to some grievances I have with the actor. Once again, Fogelman picked the right man for the job. You despise the character in the beginning. He seems like a jerk who could care less about the people around him. That’s not the case at all. As you begin to learn more about the character, you realize just how much of a good person he really was and how the world around him made him a bitter person. I’m not sure if the intent was to sympathize with politicians. If anything, I think the message is to see the bigger picture before making a judgment.

From what I understand, Fogelman delayed the show from starting in order to fit Julianne Nicholson in from her busy schedule to play the billionaire villain. Like Marsden, she also has a tragic backstory that ends up influencing her motives in the present day. It makes sense, but her actions are not justified as it goes on to manipulate those around her. Fogelman went 3/3 with casting another perfect addition to the story. Nicholson is gold in every scene she is in.

Talking about the show without spoilers is harder than I thought. Hopefully, most who read this have already seen it or already planning to. The ending of the first episode has a bombshell twist I did not see coming. I heard there was going to be one, but I could have never prepared for what really happens. You’d think the show would peak there. It doesn’t. It has gradual momentum that builds upon each twist with reasonable explanations.

One of the major reasons I want to talk about this show outside of its cast and creator is with episode 7. Episode 7 is not just one of the best episodes of television so far this year, it’s one of my favorite episodes of television… ever. We get a whole backstory that fills in all the gaps of what happened before. It’s unlike anything else I have ever seen. There is so much suspense for an episode dealing with disaster without showing a whole lot of it. It really puts you in a position of what you would do in the situation. What unfolds is heartbreaking and captivating.

As for some issues I have, they are quite minimal compared to how much I enjoyed the show. The dialogue can be a little too much on the nose at times to build suspense for the next episode. I have a hard time believing Sterling K. Brown’s character would still sleep with someone after they told him not to believe one of his best friends. The twists can also be a bit predictable, but they are justified through backstory. To my surprise, the season finale does a great job at filling in the gaps while concluding it for another season that is going to fulfill Fogelman’s plan of doing something different each season.

Overall, I was thoroughly entertained by Paradise. Fogelman knows how to make captivating television, while Brown knows how to find the best scripts that help showcase his talents. Fogelman also knows how to find the right cast through Marsden & Nicholson. The show builds on each twist that includes one of the best episodes of television and a finale that will leave viewers satisfied while yearning for more. Making each season 8 episodes for 3 seasons does make me nervous, but I am going to remain hopeful after this incredible season.

VERDICT: 4.5/5 (Amazing)