Thomas Doherty and the Explosive Finale of ‘Paradise’ Season 2
By Natalie Oganesyan, Weekend Editor
In a cruel twist of fate (and a result of human error), the second season of Paradise concludes much like it began – with a community grappling with the aftermath of devastating events that have shattered their lives. While Season 1 traced the fallout leading a select group to hibernate in a Colorado bunker, Season 2 forces these individuals back into the light after a nuclear meltdown destroys their artificial haven.
“Exodus”: A Season Finale That Redefines ‘Paradise’
The nail-biting penultimate episode sets the stage for “Exodus,” a finale that dramatically alters the landscape of Paradise. This dystopian thriller, always balancing magical realism with sharp political commentary, fully embraces science fiction with a time-travel storyline poised to be explored in the already-renewed third season. The performance of Thomas Doherty as Link/Dylan is central to these unfolding events.
The Bunker’s Collapse and a Desperate Evacuation
As Paradise teeters on the brink of implosion, Dr. Gabriela Torabi (Sarah Shahi) steps up in Sinatra’s (Julianne Nicholson) absence, directing the bunker’s engineers to open the doors in a desperate attempt to relieve pressure on the failing nuclear plants. This decision, however, means confronting Link (Thomas Doherty) and his group. The system’s cooling towers explode, tragically killing Anders (Erik Svedberg-Zelman) and severely injuring Agent Nicole Robinson (Krys Marshall), prompting Torabi to initiate Exodus – a last-ditch evacuation protocol.
Sinatra returns from her journey in the tunnels, having visited Alex, and Torabi confesses to a shocking act! The billionaire mastermind orders everyone to leave, and unexpectedly teams up with Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) to rescue their daughters, who are trapped in the service elevators amidst the chaos.
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Unraveling the Mysteries: Link, Alex, and the Time-Warping AI
Link’s team attempts to manually shut down the nuclear reactors, but their mentor, Geiger, is killed by shrapnel. Grieving their loss, Link and his friends join forces with Xavier and Sinatra to rescue those trapped in the elevators.
The events that follow reveal long-held secrets, while simultaneously raising new questions. A flashback reveals that nine years prior, gifted CalTech quantum physics professor Henry Miller was working on an AI-controlled quantum computer, named Alex, with a young student – Link. This project was linked to Henry’s assistance in the death of a patient with Huntington’s disease and his subsequent shooting for refusing to relinquish the schematics.
Sinatra learns she’s been identified as a key figure in preventing a future climate catastrophe and is warned that her time is limited. She orders Alex to be disconnected from the bunker’s power grid as a precaution. The AI, Alex, is designed to ultimately save humanity from a greenhouse effect that will crush Earth after the return of sunshine.
A Shocking Revelation: Is Link Sinatra’s Son?
Sinatra discovers a startling connection to Link, whose real name is revealed to be Dylan. He shares her late son’s birthday and would be the same age had he survived. Sinatra believes he is an anomaly created by Alex’s time-warping capabilities, leading her to declare, “You’re my son. It’s complicated, but you are.”
The Fate of Jane and Sinatra’s Sacrifice
Dr. Torabi stabs Jane in self-defense, but Jane’s fate remains uncertain. Sinatra, after rekindling her relationship with her husband, makes a profound sacrifice, locking herself in the control room as the bunker crumbles around her. She envisions her son and the mountain implodes.
Sinatra’s final act is to entrust Xavier with the task of saving the world, revealing Alex’s location and the computer’s ability to “stop all of this.” She believes Xavier will listen, hinting that he may already be aware of the truth.
What’s Next for ‘Paradise’?
The finale closes with a haunting cover of Phil Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise,” leaving audiences to ponder the implications of Alex’s power and the future of Paradise. The connection between Xavier and Link, marked by bloody noses and shared visions, suggests a deeper, more complex relationship. The role of Thomas Doherty as Link/Dylan will undoubtedly be pivotal in the unfolding narrative.
