The following contains spoilers for Paradise episode 4, “Agent Billy Pace,” now streaming on HuluParadise’sdark twist in episode 4 subverts a classic sci-fi concept in a truly tragic manner.Paradisemay be primarily a character drama and a political thriller, but it’s also quietly a sci-fi show about the (seemingly) last surviving humans trying to make due with their lives in a massive domed community. An off-screencataclysm changedParadise’s world forever, forcing 25,000 survivors into a small community. Despite this, the show often feels more reminiscent ofThis is UsthanSilothanks to an extended focus on character histories and personal tragedies.
However, “Agent Billy Pace” reveals that the show’s characters actually indulged in a classic sci-fi trope shortly after moving into the city — only for a major threat to use the opportunity to snuff out any hope of breaking free of the domed city. It’s a harsh subversion of a typical heroic archetype, and one that fits the overall tone and genre-fusion ofParadise. Here’s howParadiseset up their own version of scientific explorers archetype, and how they brutally subverted it.
Adventuring Scientists Are Usually The Heroes Of Sci-Fi, Not The Victims
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Paradise’s fourth episodereveals that the city actually had a group of scientific explorers sent to observe the surface, giving a tragic turn to a classic sci-fi trope. Plenty of films, shows and beyond have focused on scientists who embark into the great unknown for the sake of knowledge. It turns out the survivors ofParadisehad a similar idea, with Billy and Xavier convincing Bradford to send four scientists to the surface to learn more about the state of the world. They never returned, demoralizing the public.However, it turns out they were actually killed after completing their study.
Paradise Episode 4 Reveals The Show’s Most Dangerous Character & It’s Completely Unexpected
The finale of Paradise’s fourth episode reveals who is one of the most dangerous characters on the show in an absolutely heartbreaking way.
It’s a brutal turn, and one that upends the kind of archetype defined by characters like the Fantastic Four and Indiana Jones of the brilliant scientist adventurer who can overcome all odds.Paradise’s reveal that they not only succeeded in their mission but were on their way back to report their findings makes them a genuine version of that heroic scientist archetype. However,that makes them a liability in the political thriller-inspired world ofParadise, meaning they are given an inglorious fate at the hands of a reluctant Billy Pace on the orders of Samantha Redmond.
Paradise ’s Scientist Twist Cements Redmond As The Villain In Episode 4
Samantha Redmond Is Willing To Murder Her Own Citizens For Personal Security
Samantha Redmond has gradually become a more overt threat asParadisehas carried on. Although the second episode of the show spent time delving into her sympathetic backstory and explained her motivations to protect her family, the decisions she’s made in the show have gradually revealed her to be the central villain ofParadise. This is never clearer then after the events of “Agent Billy Pace,” which reveals that she was the one who ordered Pace to kill the scientists, and shows little actual remorse for her actions.
It’s a harsh approach to the heroic scientist archetype, suggesting those in power would rather kill off those discoveries than risk them interfering with their authority
For all of her logical explanations, it’s still the murder of innocent citizens that could have helped save lives. Instead, Redmond retains power partly by turning the four heroic scientists into a tragic loss instead of a triumphant return.It’s a harsh approach to the heroic scientist archetype, suggesting those in power would rather kill off those discoveries than risk them interfering with their authority. It’s an effective way to cement Redmond as the real danger ofParadise, while also taking a classic sci-fi trope and twisting it on its head with a move straight out of a political thriller.
