In episode four of Hulu's Paradise, "Agent Billy Pace," the community prepares for its annual carnival. The joyous occasion is tainted with the truth that their world's first murder has been committed and a killer lurks among them. Xavier returns home from his night with Gabriela on a mission to investigate Billy. Making sure to shield his kids from the truth, he promises to see them at the carnival.
As Xavier investigates his partner, viewers are served Billy's origin story. The cheerful uncle to Presley and James had a tumultuous childhood. Raised by an abusive uncle, Billy found himself in juvie after an act of defense left his caretaker dead. With much of his adolescence and formative years spent behind bars, the violent boy became a violent man, recruited by a mercenary group. The trained killer eventually found his way onto the president's security detail. On that fateful day, he met Xavier and his family as people evacuated into the underground city.
The episode tremendously portrays how Pace and Collins saved each other. Collins sought a partner in the wake of losing his wife, an act he feels could have been prevented. And Pace needed a family, something he never had, to silence the PTSD haunting him.
Xavier eventually finds Billy, who was spotted with Sinatra and Agent Robinson. The two have a heated heart-to-heart. Xavier accuses Billy of bringing harm to his family and of killing Cal. Billy refutes the allegations, saying he'd never harm Presley or James as they are his world. And he denies murdering the president.
The episode details Billy's soft spot for Xavier's children as he consults Presley about her crush on Cal's son. He opens up admitting he'd never been in love until he met Jane. He encourages her to shoot her shot with the boy. We see he acts as a second father to Xavier's kids.
Later, Billy pays a visit to Sinatra for a candid conversation. He admits to committing violent atrocities -- all on her command. One act involved killing a group of scientists who discovered the world above the surface was hospitable for human life. He threatens her to leave Xavier alone. Sinatra belittles him, ensuring she can find a bigger, stronger threat than him.
The final scene finds Billy reconciling with Xavier, having another uncle moment with his niece and nephew. He returns home to Jane, who he accidentally blew off at the carnival. As they sit and enjoy drinks together, Billy suddenly struggles to breathe. Suffocating, he falls to the floor dead, as Jane is revealed as Sinatra's bigger, stronger threat.
The episode is another solid addition in Paradise's story. The reveal about life outside the dome indicates Samantha has ulterior motives for keeping this a secret. And this truth may have been a motive for Cal's death. The loss of Billy, one who worked hard to find redemption, only confirms Xavier's suspicions about Sinatra and the conspiracy hiding in plain sight.
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