If you’ve been keeping up with Hulu’s hottest show, “Paradise,” starring Sterling K. Brown, then you know that the season two finale has finally hit the streamer. And boy, oh boy, does it have the people talking—and for good reason!
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Now, we don’t have time to get into the nitty-gritty of it all because the deeper you go, the trippier and more confusing it gets, but we’ll summarize the gist of it for you. Fair warning, there are some spoilers ahead, so if you aren’t caught up, you might want to save this for later.
We repeat, we’re about to walk into spoiler territory, so either retreat or forge ahead at your own risk!
Okay, so boom, by the time season two ends, we learned that Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson)—a tech billionaire turned prime decision-maker—had been harboring an AI superpower computer named “Alex” that uses the laws of quantum physics and time manipulation to answer, predict and potentially modify different realities and outcomes. This computer is stored in a separate, second underground bunker underneath the Denver airport.
We also see the group of “outsiders”—a.k.a. survivors from that initial apocalypse in season one—storming the first bunker and eventually helping the people who live there evacuate once it begins to implode on itself. Xavier Collins (Brown), a former Secret Service agent who left the bunker at the top of season two to find his wife on the outside, has returned on a mission to grab his children and get to safety. However, by the end of the episode, he’s also tasked with getting to the second bunker, finding “Alex” and saving the world—whatever that means. Insane, right?!
Now, at the risk of getting too into the weeds, we’ll pause right here and tell you about all the reasons why folks online are going crazy over the finale!
It Embraces the Complexity of Humanity and Black Women’s Layered Existence
As evidenced by countless posts on social media, one of the main things this finale showed viewers is how well the show captures and embraces the complexities and fragilities of humanity. Specifically, as it relates to the Black women characters, the way they get taken care of in this show and get to express a wide range of motivations and frustrations is a breath of fresh air onscreen.
“I don’t feel like yall are appreciating the subtle reframing of Black women characters on Paradise and its upsetting me and my homegirls,” wrote one user on Threads. “Dr. Teri doesn’t have to listen. Presley doesn’t have to conform. Agent Robinson doesn’t have to be nice. And guess what? They should still be respected, loved and SAVED!”
Added another user: “I think my favorite thing about Paradise is how humanity is portrayed in a such a beautiful way. Most post apocalyptic shows put the cruelty and selfishness of mankind on display when confronted with danger, scarcity or extinction. But Paradise shows both sides. The ugly and the beautiful.”
It Paints a Realistic Picture of How Ill-Prepared We Are for the End Times
Although arguably bleak, this season two finale helped us see what we’ll actually need to get to safety during an apocalypse. By watching the Paradise townspeople try to grab what they could, whether they legitimately needed it or not, and using their physical gumption to run to shelter, it’s a good reminder that we may not be as ready for the end of the world as we claim we are.
And folks online were quick to relate to both people’s inherent selfishness and short-sightedness in the most hilarious way.
“Love how they showed how greedy people can be even at the end of the world. trying to take material possessions out with them instead of putting more people in the car,” noted one user on X/Twitter.
Other viewers had a more comical takeaway with one person on Threads writing: “The Paradise finale is basically a PSA to be ultra fit if you want to make it out of an end of the world scenario.”
Added another, “This season of Paradise taught me how useless I would be in the apocalypse. Growing food? Nah. Mechanic? Nope. Medical training? Absolutely not…Do we need to write and perform a play? That’s all I got buds.”
It Proves How Big of a Star Sterling K. Brown Is
One thing that “Paradise” makes clear is that lead star Sterling K. Brown isn’t Randall from “This Is Us.” No, no. Brown in this show is some serious bad-assery, and that’s putting it lightly. Seeing the way he moves about as a true survivalist, leader, devoted father and husband in this show just gives it a level of prestige and weight that we were seriously missing in other shows.
But you don’t have to take my word for it; I’ll let the people online talk.
“Just finished watching Paradise season 2 finale and all I can do after putting 5 stars is adding it to my faves absolutely crazy i loved it so much Sterling K Brown stay in line for the emmy king,” wrote one person on X/Twitter.
One user hilariously wrote on Threads, “Good job Paradise @hulu because if you would have killed Sterling K Brown we were going to boycott you like we did Target.” (We’re right there with you!)
Added another: “Everybody involved in Paradise, and I mean everybody, 10/10. Actors, director, writers, and yes even the person making sure everyone ate on set. No notes. See you at season 3.”
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