"Paradise" Is Leaving The Internet Questioning Everything, And Now, I Think Life Is A Simulation
Warning: This article contains spoilers from Paradise.
In an utopian and simulated society, Sterling K. Brown takes the lead as Xavier Collins — head agent in the President's Secret Service.
But after the sudden murder of his boss (James Marsden), he's left questioning the architects of this 'ideal' community and everything around him.
The combination of Sterling K Brown's badass aura, Julianne Nicholson's puppeteering character, Sinatra — and the flicks between time — make the show a puzzle that desperately needs solving.
And I will say, James Marsden as President Cal Bradford is the most serious I've ever seen him. He's still silly, despite his character being a certified racist. But without a hyperrealistic, animated rabbit or Sonic by his side, Marsden as President is one of his more solemn performances.
Everyone's a suspect, the president's dead, national secrets have fallen into someone else's hands and there's something unsettling going on with the President's therapist.
So naturally, the internet is lapping it up like it's Jacob Elordi's bathwater in Saltburn, coming up with theories and questions that now have me wondering what's coming next.
the way paradise leaves me gagged every episode like wow what just happened and what is going to happen next !!!! #paradisehulu pic.twitter.com/TtXZ0gsg9C
— kudus pr manager 🇬🇭 (@kimkimdaya) February 20, 2025
Twitter: @kimkimdaya
1. Someone's playing the "ignorance is bliss" game, while the world goes down around them.
Me every episode trying to figure out if Cal daddy is just pretending to not know what's going on #ParadiseHulu pic.twitter.com/G3mFlQA1HM
— ♡Danimals❤ (@Dani_19_93) February 19, 2025
Twitter: @Dani_19_93
#ParadiseHulu really keeps me guessing because the way I thought Cal's father couldn't tell Black people apart but it turns he really did see Presley at the house that night and she has the tablet under her bed. pic.twitter.com/Yii9T1zM8O
— Still I Rise (@dreamandthehope) February 13, 2025
Twitter: @dreamandthehope
2. For some reason, moments before his death, the President's security detail was doing everything BUT making sure he was safe and secure.
So everybody just playing Wii instead of guarding the president #ParadiseHulu pic.twitter.com/8W6kJ2x05K
— KUWK ❤️ (@Snackaveli_) February 18, 2025
Twitter: @Snackaveli_
3. The master puppeteer, Sinatra pulled a trump card on Xavier Collins, saying his believed-to-be-dead wife is actually alive. But people aren't buying it.
Sinatra is a liar. She has no idea where that woman is at #ParadiseHulu pic.twitter.com/IvIpuI5ZeO
— TellyMonster 😈💍🔺🐘 (@TellyBaby22) February 19, 2025
Twitter: @TellyBaby22
First of all, the soundtrack on this show is immaculate. Second, I knew Sinatra would pull the "your wife is alive card" on X. Now i gotta wait another week. 😩 #paradise • #paradiseonhulu • #paradisehulu pic.twitter.com/NRIzVDWyOK
— 🇨🇩 Zande✊🏾 (@KongoZande) February 18, 2025
Twitter: @KongoZande
4. Apparently, the "end of the world" scenario that kicked off the entire chain of events was planned by a multi-billionaire control freak.
I need to know what the hell happened! My theory is crazy ass sinatra planned the whole world ending disaster through grief and insanity to build a world she can control. Anyway, I NEED TO KNOW NOW! #ParadiseHulu pic.twitter.com/9CpKd2WAyW
— sel (@selbel007) February 12, 2025
Twitter: @selbel007
5. And finally, speaking of Xavier's wife, there's a hot little suspicion that she's involved in the plot for world domination. Wouldn't that be a trip?
And when we find out Xavier's wife is helping Sinatra pull the strings THEN WHAT #ParadiseHulu pic.twitter.com/4GN5TWoCEz
— megan (@ciaomegan_) February 20, 2025
Twitter: @ciaomegan_
Paradise has just been renewed for Season 2. So, maybe you should get on the bandwagon before it drops, hm? Stream the series on Disney+.
Need more TV show, movie, anime, and gaming recommendations? Check out Press Play, a column dedicated to reviewing the latest releases, uncovering hidden gems and solving the age-old question of "What do I stream?" (before your food gets cold).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
Blue Ivy Carter reclaims her title, wins BET YoungStars Award once again amid Beyoncé tour
Blue Ivy Carter reclaims her title, wins BET YoungStars Award once again amid Beyoncé tour Blue Ivy Carter is a young star indeed, reclaiming her title once again at the BET Awards. The 13-year-old daughter of Beyoncé and Jay Z took home the Young Stars Award for a second year in a row at the 25th BET Awards. The awards show, dubbed culture's biggest night, took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 9. The YoungStars Award honors young entertainers who have had an impact in television, film, music or sports. Akira Akbar, Graceyn 'Gracie' Hollingsworth, Heiress Harris, Melody Hurd, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Tyrik Johnson and VanVan were among those nominated. Last year, Blue Ivy also took home the prize. Beyoncé also received two nominations at this year awards. She was up for album of the year for her eighth studio album, "Cowboy Carter." Her song "Blackbiird," featuring Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts, also received a nomination for the BETHer Award. The song is a cover of the Beatles' 1968 tune, which was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement. The category honors motivational and empowering songs that center women. The 35-time Grammy-winning singer didn't take home any awards this year. As fans know, Beyoncé first released the eighth studio album in March 2024. It has since made history and broken multiple records. As Beyoncé's first country album, she deliberately featured country legends and emerging Black country artists alike. She became the first Black woman to win best country album and album of the year at the 2025 Grammys. She kicked off her "Cowboy Carter" tour — a spectacle filled with fashion, multiple music genres and cultural commentary — April 28 in Los Angeles. Blue Ivy has been blowing fans away with her stellar dance moves and has taken a lead role on her mom's Cowboy Carter and Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour. Many have been raving online about her performances, and her she's certainly shown that she has what it takes to step up to the plate — even approving the title manager Blue. Beyoncé is currently on the international leg of her tour. The nine-city tour will span the U.S. and Europe with the grand finale taking place in Las Vegas on July 26. Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards
British singer and actress Cynthia Erivo was crowned best actress at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards in Los Angeles. Hosted by Kevin Hart, Monday's BET Awards celebrated the work of black people in music, entertainment, film, sports and philanthropy. The London-born star, who rose to worldwide prominence last year for her role in Wicked, was also nominated for the BET Her Award — which recognises empowering songs that focus on women — for her rendition of Defying Gravity. Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii used her acceptance speech to sharply criticise US President Donald Trump's handling of protests in Los Angeles. The Swamp Princess takes her crown again! Standing ovation please for the #BETAwards Best Female Hip Hop Artist, @officialdoechii 👑 In case you couldn't tell, we're your biggest fan! — #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 10, 2025 Collecting the award for best female hip-hop artist, she accused the president of 'creating fear and chaos' in his response to demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which sparked days of protest across the city. 'I do want to address what's happening right now, outside the building,' she said. 'These are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities. In the name of law and order, Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.' Mr Trump announced plans to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to California to quell the protests, which began on Friday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move was 'essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States'. The decision drew sharp criticism from Democratic politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the move 'purposefully inflammatory'. London-based girl-group FLO missed out after picking up nominations for best group and the Bet Her award for their track In My Bag, featuring GloRilla. Fellow UK artists Bashy and Ezra Collective earned nominations for best international artist, while multi-genre artist Odeal and R&B singer kwn were shortlisted for best new international act. Kendrick Lamar, who led the pack with 10 nominations, took home awards for album of the year and best male hip-hop artist. He also won video of the year and video director of the year for his hit Not Like Us, as well as best collaboration for Luther, his track with SZA SZA won best female R&B/pop artist, while Chris Brown took home best male R&B/pop artist. The evening featured a star-studded cast, including actor Jamie Foxx, with performances by Ashanti, Mariah Carey and GloRilla. Foxx, Carey, gospel star Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg were honoured with the ultimate icon award for their contributions to community, entertainment, and advocacy. Miles Canton, Luke James and Lucky Daye delivered an R&B tribute to Quincy Jones, who died in November.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
WWE star R-Truth breaks silence on return after release
The post WWE star R-Truth breaks silence on return after release appeared first on ClutchPoints. Following his surprise return at Money in the Bank, former WWE 24/7 Champion R-Truth thanked the fans for leading to him being brought back after his release. Advertisement A fan on X, formerly Twitter, praised the #WeWantTruth movement for bringing R-Truth back to WWE. 'Wrestling as a collective, fans and wrestlers TOGETHER, used their voices to help get a Black man's job back in less than a WWEK!' the post began. That's why the 'how' is important to ME. 22 million views and broken hearts… Change was made. Period.' R-Truth responded to the post, saying, 'No [cap, We Want Truth] was seen, heard, felt, and understood…. Believe me when I say this, I love EVERY ONE of y'all to death [smiling face with tear emoji.] We made history together.' Son of WWE's R-Truth responds to his return After Money in the Bank, Paul 'Triple H' Levesque addressed R-Truth's surprise return. He called it 'All part of the show,' which does not appear to be the case, at least according to R-Truth's son, Christopher Killings. Advertisement He took to his Instagram Stories by reposting WWE's video of the post. Killings simply said, 'Stop the [cap],' in response to Triple H's comments. That was not his only post. Killings also reposted a video of his father's return, saying, 'Congrats on the new deal[,] dad [two money bag emojis]! Last run [loudly crying face emoji].' R-Truth announced that WWE was not renewing his contract on June 1, 2025, meaning he was released. This led to an internet uproar, and the WWE Universe began chanting, 'We want Truth,' beginning with the following edition of Monday Night RAW. The movement made an impact, as WWE rehired him ahead of Money in the Bank. He came back during the main event tag team match between the team of Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso against John Cena and Logan Paul. Advertisement Towards the end of the match, Cena began using his WWE Championship belt as a weapon against Rhodes. Just when it appeared he was going to cheat his way to another win, a hooded figure attacked him in the ring. He unmasked himself to reveal R-Truth, which received a loud response from the crowd. It is unclear in what capacity he will be involved in the company moving forward. For now, he is back and will likely resume his program with his 'childhood hero,' Cena. Related: Groundbreaking WWE Worlds Collide shatters viewership records Related: Kourtney Kardashian, Travis Barker hit with boos at WWE Money in the Bank
