Paradise: The Architect of Social Well-Being
February 4, 2025 12:48 AM - Season 1, Episode 3 - Subscribe
Isolated, Xavier seeks answers on his own and cautiously turns to Dr. Gabriela Torabi. Meanwhile, Billy and Jane feel the pressure from Robinson's investigation.
Were the airplanes this episode or last episode?
At any rate, I'm trying to figure out whether the registration numbers are a clue or not. US planes start with N and have up to five additional alphanumeric digits, while other countries generally just use letters. So six-digit registration codes seem weird, even if it matches what's on the cigarette. (The cigarette code is probably either the safe with the tablet, the tablet itself, or some other ID code related to city operations—but why fake it out with the registration codes?)
Anyway, I want to trust Torabi here, which means I absolutely should not.
posted by thecaddy at 6:45 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
At any rate, I'm trying to figure out whether the registration numbers are a clue or not. US planes start with N and have up to five additional alphanumeric digits, while other countries generally just use letters. So six-digit registration codes seem weird, even if it matches what's on the cigarette. (The cigarette code is probably either the safe with the tablet, the tablet itself, or some other ID code related to city operations—but why fake it out with the registration codes?)
Anyway, I want to trust Torabi here, which means I absolutely should not.
posted by thecaddy at 6:45 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
Airplanes for kids was last episode, airplanes in the past world were this episode.
Just after a pissy Xavier rants about cheese fries: "I was thinking maybe we could get some cheese fries."
"They're still doing the goddamned carnival tomorrow!"
"You're crushing it, Nance!" That's quite the butt kiss there, madam.
"I hate that cashew cheese crap." "It's not the cashews, it's the CHEMICALS."
Interesting how we're shown this fake world that looks normal, but they still miss things like sun and snow.
Gee, a therapist insists on hearing on daddy issues. Shocker.
"Everyone's here because I chose them." Xavier is not feeling grateful. Gabriella feels guilty.
Wow, Xavier filed papers to force his dad to quit. Good for him, but hardcore.
Why was the security cam off? We were playing tennis Wii! I slept in his bed! Billy tried on his socks! LOLOL, THAT'S what you do at the president's house?! Y'all are lame. Also, clearly they didn't have good hiring options.
I get some chemistry with the good doctor here. Hmmmmm. That surprised me, that that worked.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:34 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
Just after a pissy Xavier rants about cheese fries: "I was thinking maybe we could get some cheese fries."
"They're still doing the goddamned carnival tomorrow!"
"You're crushing it, Nance!" That's quite the butt kiss there, madam.
"I hate that cashew cheese crap." "It's not the cashews, it's the CHEMICALS."
Interesting how we're shown this fake world that looks normal, but they still miss things like sun and snow.
Gee, a therapist insists on hearing on daddy issues. Shocker.
"Everyone's here because I chose them." Xavier is not feeling grateful. Gabriella feels guilty.
Wow, Xavier filed papers to force his dad to quit. Good for him, but hardcore.
Why was the security cam off? We were playing tennis Wii! I slept in his bed! Billy tried on his socks! LOLOL, THAT'S what you do at the president's house?! Y'all are lame. Also, clearly they didn't have good hiring options.
I get some chemistry with the good doctor here. Hmmmmm. That surprised me, that that worked.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:34 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
The shrink is the least convincing thing on the show. She belongs on Melrose Place.
posted by Lemkin at 2:48 PM on February 4 [2 favorites]
posted by Lemkin at 2:48 PM on February 4 [2 favorites]
I don't know, the shrink is played by Sarah Shahi, who also played Shaw in current FanFare popular rewatch Person of Interest, so maybe she reads differently with that in mind.
posted by Pryde at 7:20 PM on February 4 [5 favorites]
posted by Pryde at 7:20 PM on February 4 [5 favorites]
I had to double check that it was indeed Sarah Shahi - say 2015 for PoI making her almost exactly a decade older in 2025 and I could not tell the difference.
posted by porpoise at 11:21 PM on February 4 [2 favorites]
posted by porpoise at 11:21 PM on February 4 [2 favorites]
This show reminds me vaguely of Devs (2020). The lightly alternative reality, the higher level of focus on character for a show of its type, the sometimes yellowish/"glowy" color grading, especially as that relates to their respective sci-fi aspects ... it's just a vibe. They are both on Hulu.
Anyway, I'm glad to have found it as my daily hour of new dramatic TV is hard to come by right now.
posted by sylvanshine at 2:05 PM on February 6 [1 favorite]
Anyway, I'm glad to have found it as my daily hour of new dramatic TV is hard to come by right now.
posted by sylvanshine at 2:05 PM on February 6 [1 favorite]
Wow, Xavier filed papers to force his dad to quit. Good for him, but hardcore.
Yeah, that's how you know it's an alternate reality - (in addition to an apparently beloved populist president), that Xav's dad's annual physical wasn't picking up on his Parkinsons, somehow? Or am I misunderstanding that you can get a downcheck for a lot of diseases that are basically managed but risk having a pilot die midflight, but just a little uncontrollable shaking would be fine?
I'm worried that they're leaning maybe a bit much on passing the idiot ball around and aren't sure whether they want to be a investigative whodunnit mystery box, a light family tale in a dystopian post-apocalypse, or something else.
And I'm not entirely sure I'm buying the VP's anxiety - if you believe the premise that the whole of humanity is the 25,000 survivors in theSilo er Under the Dome rather the MegaCave, they're showing everything as being peaceful and idyllic after 3 years and not like slightly strung out post-traumatic stressballs? And lord, given that it seems like Samantha has the real power, go out and kiss babies and shake hands, dude.
Why was the security cam off? We were playing tennis Wii! I slept in his bed! Billy tried on his socks! LOLOL, THAT'S what you do at the president's house?! Y'all are lame.
Oh, that was absolutely "oh good they bought that we were playing mario kart and didn't have to explain the used condoms in the guest bathroom", to me.
posted by Kyol at 10:22 AM on February 7 [2 favorites]
Yeah, that's how you know it's an alternate reality - (in addition to an apparently beloved populist president), that Xav's dad's annual physical wasn't picking up on his Parkinsons, somehow? Or am I misunderstanding that you can get a downcheck for a lot of diseases that are basically managed but risk having a pilot die midflight, but just a little uncontrollable shaking would be fine?
I'm worried that they're leaning maybe a bit much on passing the idiot ball around and aren't sure whether they want to be a investigative whodunnit mystery box, a light family tale in a dystopian post-apocalypse, or something else.
And I'm not entirely sure I'm buying the VP's anxiety - if you believe the premise that the whole of humanity is the 25,000 survivors in the
Why was the security cam off? We were playing tennis Wii! I slept in his bed! Billy tried on his socks! LOLOL, THAT'S what you do at the president's house?! Y'all are lame.
Oh, that was absolutely "oh good they bought that we were playing mario kart and didn't have to explain the used condoms in the guest bathroom", to me.
posted by Kyol at 10:22 AM on February 7 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I haven't had time to finish the episode after this yet (sigh), but from what I saw, it does spell out both gaming and not gaming, lol.
Maybe Xav's dad figured out some way to lie/hide on the paperwork? But yeah, good point. I don't know from airline physicals, but I've been reading up on this stuff for my job and large vehicles and how extensive the checking is.
My guess is that the "slightly strung out post-traumatic stressballs" might be like us post-2020, three years later. "Used to it."
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:44 PM on February 7 [1 favorite]
Maybe Xav's dad figured out some way to lie/hide on the paperwork? But yeah, good point. I don't know from airline physicals, but I've been reading up on this stuff for my job and large vehicles and how extensive the checking is.
My guess is that the "slightly strung out post-traumatic stressballs" might be like us post-2020, three years later. "Used to it."
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:44 PM on February 7 [1 favorite]
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posted by chavenet at 12:50 AM on February 4