Paradise

This is how you set up a series and hook the audience in. A deliberate slow pace start with a clever story structure, a few mysterious elements and plenty of suspects on the offering table. Plus there is no rush to reveal too much in the first episode, but enough to keep you hanging in there for answers. But it's the big surprise twist at the end that will definitely have you coming back for more, in what seems to be shaping up as a modern sci-fi thriller. To top it all of is the intense presence of Sterling K. Brown that really draws you in, with his silent facial expressions more powerful than words. So I guess this nerdish reviewer is excited...

Sterling K Brown and James Marsden are great (as usual), but Julianne Nicholson is incredible.

I remember her being good from Mare of Easttown, which is a terrific show - but she brings another level to her character here.

The scene in episode 2 with her therapist was a masterclass of pent up emotion of a woman who has clearly been broken by her past.

The story is a little odd (IMHO) as it is billed as a thriller, but feels a bit more like SciFi - which is fine but maybe not for everyone.

Looking forward to seeing how it develops but as long as Julianne gets plenty of screen time, it will be worth it.

The pilot episode was one of those that left you thinking about the show afterwards and eager for more.

Writing about it has to start with characters. The main character is a solid, interesting to watch, pretty classical action movie hero with some depth that promises more to discover as the show goes on. The president however was such a surprise. The setup of his character was almost dismissing him as an a-hole. However, the way his character is spun towards a likeable guy within a few scenes really felt quite fresh and interesting. While nothing to write home about, the dialogues are gritty, sometimes actually funny and along with enjoyable acting, glue the characters together in a fitting way.

The promise the show made with how it seems to handle characters really makes you want to stay with it to see more. Having said that, I don't feel too intrigued by the immediate whodunnit mystery of the show, but I do stay open to be more invested in it as more is revealed. What I'm worried about is the world presented in the show. It's beyond ambitious to present what they need to present, and to keep it believable, with as little "how silly is that" moments as possible. I really hope they will pull that of, however it does feel there's some margin to be forgiven if the other aspects remain as solid as they seem to be so far.

Update, after watching all of Season 1: Some scenes have outlandish dialog and the transitions are either clunky or too speedy. Here's what I've decided: I'll try to approach certain scenes in a similar way as I would a comic book. If there are things which don't echo traditional "reality", I'll attempt to keep moving forward.

Original review: I almost gave up on this show after two episodes. There was something in the way the plot unraveled which felt a bit overwrought. I'm glad that I stuck with it, and the writing seems to be getting better, or maybe I was in a less receptive mood when I first watched. The entire cast is well placed, with standout performances from Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, James Marsden, and Aliyah Mastin (as the daughter of Brown's character). Gerald McRaney gives his role gravitas and interesting twists. Marsden as the president has a complexity which I did not expect. While I've seen him in other productions, this one stands out. The effective soundtrack is sometimes subtle, and the set design is more than apt. My prediction is that this series will resolve itself within 3 or 4 years. Overall, this series is worth a watch.

Finally a SMART engrossing show with strong actors in strong parts. Well written and detailed oriented. They took several plot points from other shows and movies and crafted a smart, edge of the seat mystery. The acting is first rate and the cast is well adept to the roles and 100% believable. I went in with no expectations and the mega twist at the end of the first episode had me sold. Luckily I have Hulu and have seen the first 3 episodes and sorry, no spoilers here but it is a great payoff for those watching with enough plot twists to keep me engaged. Well done to the show runners and actors and hopefully the 3rd act isn't a let down but the way the first 3 episodes ran, I doubt it will fizzle out. Well worth the watch.