PARADISE: S2

Season 2 - Episodes 1-7 Review

Paradise continues its riveting storytelling in its sophomore season as Dan Fogelman expands the scope of the world, deepens the mystery and ups the personal stakes for the characters, delivering another outstanding season of television that cements Paradise as one of the best television series currently airing.

Last year, Dan Fogelman delivered one of the biggest twists of any 2025 television show at the end of the premiere episode of Paradise, changing any expectation of what this political thriller was truly about. From there, each episode delivered yet another shocking twist or reveal that kept viewers hooked from week to week, while Fogelman’s character centric writing triumphed, resulting in one of the best new series of last year. It’s been just under a year since audiences watched Xavier Collins venture outside the bunker, up to the world in search of his wife Terri who may have survived the doomsday event, and Paradise is back for a new season. Delivering outstanding storytelling that explores the dangers of the world above and deepens the mystery, origins and conflict within the bunker, there is no question that the second season of Paradise is worthy of the label of “must watch television.” Once again featuring outstanding performances from the entire cast led by the captivating work of Sterling K. Brown and Julianne Nicholson, Fogelman weaves a gripping season of television that will continue his emotional grip hold over viewers with all the jaw dropping reveals he has up his sleeve, ensuring that Paradise’s second season continues the stellar precedent set by its previous season.

Instead of picking up right where the first season concluded, Fogelman kicks off the second season of Paradise with a bottle episode following Shailene Woodley’s Annie detailing life above ground in the years following the doomsday event, leading up to the moment that Xavier left the bunker. It is this quiet, understated writing where Fogelman excels, creating an emotionally gripping episode that finds beauty in the day to day activities of life as Annie fights to survive against unspeakable circumstances. Woodley gives her best performance in years in this episode, largely with the aid of Fogelman’s writing giving her material her talents are worthy of, revelling in the stillness, uncertainty and anxiety faced by her character that makes her an invaluable addition to this season of Paradise.

But after this introductory episode, it's just another day in Paradise as Fogelman begins his larger plan for the season. As Xavier navigates the dangers of the outside world, encountering the remnants of humanity that survived the doomsday event as he heads to Atlanta to find his wife, teaming up with Woodley’s Annie along the way, political and social tensions rise in the bunker. Again with the character focused storytelling and use of flashbacks to life before the doomsday event, another thrilling season of storytelling unfolds as new mysteries are introduced, old alliances fracture and new ones are forged. With the fight of the surface to survive is added to the mix, giving new dramatic stakes that naturally evolves the series as it embraces the post apocalyptic nature of the story, the yearning human element that echoes Fogelman’s excellent series This Is Us that helped make the first season such a riveting storytelling experience is never lost for a second. From an episode focused on a mailman and his backstory to the season’s opening episode at Graceland that taps into the human need for survival, human connection and love once again underscores the entirety of the season’s writing, ensuring that beneath the political, post apocalyptic thriller there is a beating heart that emotionally guides the story. This all occurs while Fogelman lays the groundwork for what is set to be yet another explosive and shocking season finale that will no doubt push the future of Paradise into exciting and uncharted territory.

As with the first season, the performances from the entire cast are once again top notch. Brown explores new territory as Xavier as he journeys to Atlanta, finding a new grit and strength to the character as he faces the horrors of the world outside the bunker while bringing a reassuring belief in humanity that makes him the perfect actor for the role. Nicholson continues her complex portrayal of Sinatra, mixing the power hungry and dangerous side of her character that will do anything to ensure her own survival with the caring mother who wants to protect due to her nurturing nature, once again creating a dynamic and fascinating character to watch over the course of the season. Thomas Doherty is a great addition as the mysterious Link, the leader of the group of survivors trying to break into the bunker, sharing great chemistry with Woodley and bringing a new dangerous element to the storytelling that adds to the ever building tension of the writing. Following the reveal of her true character in the first season, Nicole Byrdon Bloom is unpredictable and deadlier than ever as Jane Driscoll, while Sarah Shahi and Krys Marshall continue to deliver great performances as Dr. Tarabi and Robinson respectively.

What lies outside the bunker? And what secrets are still within it? These questions and many more are proposed and answered in the second season of Paradise. With Dan Fogelman guiding the series through its next evolution, once again featuring excellent writing, captivating performances, and shocking twists and turns that will keep viewers tuning in every week, Paradise is back and as great as ever. Championed by character centric storytelling that gives the series a heart beneath the world shattering political, post apocalyptic thriller that unfolds, there is no doubt that the second season of Paradise will be one of the best shows of the year that will leave fans eagerly awaiting what comes next.