How Good Is It? In the past few weeks, you’ve probably heard about how good Paradise is. You’ve probably seen people posting excitedly on various social media platforms about its epic end-of-pilot big twist, a staple of Fogelman’s work (see: This Is Us and Pitch). But what is it about this show that has everyone in a chokehold? Aside from its riveting, timely, and terrifying premise, Paradise showcases what Fogelman does best: delivering layered, captivating characters (with Black leads! Including complex Black women!) who you can’t help but root for and who feel familiar and simultaneously fresh. There’s the nepo baby president who never really wanted the responsibility but rises to the occasion because his country needs it in Marsden as the charming President Bradford, reminiscent of Scandal’s Fitz but less petulant. The enigmatic Marshall as Agent Robinson is the career-driven woman in a male-dominated field risking it all to sleep with her boss, who is slightly Olivia Pope-coded but less righteous. There’s the teen daughter meddling in matters she shouldn’t be. Aliyah Mastin is perfect as Presley Collins who is one of the more realistic and relatable teen girls on TV, unlike her insufferable predecessors like Homeland’s Dana Brody or The American’s Paige Jennings. And, of course, there’s the hero secret service agent, Xavier Collins who has a tragic backstory and a dead wife. Brown is at his absolute best, channeling all the great action stars in Hollywood history while giving Denzel-like gravitas and singular vulnerability.