PARADISE (2025): Episode 1.1

PARADISE is a political thriller series produced by Hulu. The first episode of Season One opens after the murder of a retired president causes the Secret Service to launch an investigation around the idyllic town of Paradise. Agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown), the last person who spoke to the President before his demise, takes the case into his own hands. With no one else to trust, the stoic agent unravels a grand conspiracy with many dark secrets. Will he be able to solve the case?

In episode one, “Wildcat is Down,” Agent Xavier Collins finds the dead body of retired president Cal Bradford (James Marsden). Collins searches around the mansion for clues. However, he withholds the troubling news from his superiors, fearing the assassin works from within the Secret Service. To ward off suspicion, Collins breaks the news to his superiors. He becomes the first person sent for questioning by the government.

Meanwhile, the episode flashbacks to Agent Collins protecting President Bradford during his first term. The agent and the President start on adversarial terms but quickly become good acquaintances. However, the executive branch briefs the Secret Service agent on an earth-shattering secret. Does this secret hold the key to solving the President’s demise?

The pilot episode of PARADISE is a rock-solid piece of dramatic television. It is well-paced, has great dialogue, and keeps the viewers thinking on their toes. Sterling K. Brown’s performance is also noteworthy, as he conveys a stern yet sympathetic side to his role of Agent Collins. From a production standpoint, PARADISE knocks it out of the park. The same cannot be said of its worldview.

PARADISE espouses a humanistic moral code. Agent Collins is a father who cares for his children, is faithful to his wife, and puts his life on the line for the President. In the flashback scenes, he takes the bullet for President Bradford. Bradford tries to offer cigarettes and alcohol to his top agent, but the agent turns down the offer. At present, Collins cares for his Secret Agents and vows to investigate Bradford’s perpetrator. Agent Collins has a strong Christian moral compass, but the same isn’t true for the other characters.

Unfortunately, PARADISE contains some politically correct elements. In a flashback, President Bradford jokes about hiring Secret Service bodyguards based on race. Collins refuses to respond, but Bradford assures him he only picked the best agent for the job. In another scene, a retired Bradford gets into heated arguments with his wife. Lastly, Collins suspects that the assassin might be a black female agent who slept with Bradford. However, this isn’t the worst part.

PARADISE contains foul language, some blood, and promiscuous comments. The characters say eight obscenities, such as “damn,” “hell,” and “f–k.” At the murder scene, Bradford’s body lies on the floor, soaking in blood. Bradford’s bedroom has a ransacked safe and other blood stains. In a flashback, Agent Collins spots a gunslinger in the crowd and jumps before the President. Collins gets a gunshot wound to the chest but survives. Later, Bradford gets noticeably drunk from wine, smokes cigars, and makes drunken comments regarding Collins’ love life.

Lastly, PARADISE offers an overarching mystery. Bradford, Collins, and the rest of the Secret Service live in the idyllic small town of Paradise. However, Collins slowly discovers that the city has dark secrets. This mystery is set up well, has believable worldbuilding, and offers a great twist at the end of the episode. Will this mystery hold up well in the finale?

The first episode of PARADISE is a decent introduction. The writing is mature, the acting is superb, and the cinematography is top-notch. The lead character exemplifies the values of loyalty, patriotism, and being a good father. Yet, this episode contains some minor foul language, a brutal murder scene, and comments regarding the lead character’s race. MOVIEGUIDE® recommends extreme caution for older teens and adults.