Paradise, the new Hulu original limited series from creator Dan Fogelman, released its first episode Sunday, two days before its official premiere date. First announced in April 2023, the then-untitled project reunites Fogelman with Sterling K. Brown, who previously starred as Randall Pierson in Fogelman's Emmy-winning family drama, This Is Us. While Paradise mirrors some technical aspects of the NBC series, it is narratively completely different. Read below for a recap of what to expect in episode one, "Wildcat is Down."
Brown plays Xavier Collins, the lead bodyguard for former President Cal Bradford (James Marsden). Collins served on Cal's Secret Service detail and was promoted to lead agent during Cal's second term. The two developed a tight-knit relationship, detailed through a series of flashbacks. However, we learn that something has fractured their bond, making their relationship strictly professional.
We meet Xavier in the wee hours of the morning. Despite a restless night, he gets up and begins his routine. A brisk run shows he lives in a quaint subdivision with cookie-cutter homes, manicured lawns, a pond, and a community park with a gazebo. Returning home, we meet Xavier's children, daughter Priestley and son James. Their interaction details the family's dynamic. Elder Priestley is a quasi-caretaker watching over her younger brother and, at times, Xavier. A conversation with James about the book he's reading prompts a stoic response from Xavier as if he were in a trance.
As the children leave for school, Xavier heads to work. Everything seems normal until a colleague notes the president is still asleep. Unusual for him to sleep in, Xavier checks on his employer. After a few knocks and no answer, he enters the bedroom to find Cal lying on the floor with a pool of blood around his head. The president is dead. A quick survey of the bedroom details Cal had company the night before. Two half-full wine glasses and a pair of gold hoop earrings are present. Cal's pack of cigarettes was discarded on the ground. A trail of blood onto the balcony alludes to a possible escape route. Suddenly, Xavier hightails it to the walk-in closet as his greatest fear is confirmed. A safe sits empty, alluding that the killer escaped with something of great value.
The latter half of the episode follows Xavier quietly ringing the alarm. Soon, the property is swarmed with agents, and we are introduced to Julianne Nicholson's character. A flashback in the Oval Office shows her holding a powerful government position.
In the final shot, Xavier runs home as the rest of the neighborhood awakens, ignorant of the tragedy. He stops midway home to examine something in his hands. It's the pack of Cal's cigarettes, with a lone stick revealing a six-digit code. Whatever its meaning is pertinent to the mystery of who killed Cal and what other conspiracy is unraveling in Paradise.
"Wildcat is Down" is superbly written, as Fogelman's signature "show, don't tell" method is on display. Much like This Is Us, flashbacks answer questions established in earlier scenes, making sure viewers aren't left in the dark. And what remains a mystery has been hinted at enough to wait for reveals in subsequent episodes. Finally, a major reveal flips this whodunnit on its head, escalating the scale of what this show is about.
Episode one of Paradise is available to stream on Hulu right now. Catch episodes two and three on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
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