This Is Us captivated audiences with its fragmented storytelling, emotional narratives, and its ability to explore the impact of time on human relationships. Now, Paradise emerges with a completely different setting: a post-cataclysmic bunker, a political mystery, and a dead president. Yet, despite these differences, Paradise and This Is Us share the same heart, using human relationships as the driving force of their stories.
But as the plot unfolds, one question lingers: what is merely the backdrop, and what is the true core of the story?
At times, it feels like the suspense and catastrophe exist only to add weight to the family drama. Other times, the political intrigue and investigation take center stage, as if they are the real foundation of the narrative. The series plays with this perception, constantly shifting between these two focal points.
This narrative layering makes Paradise even more intriguing and engaging.
The Connections Between Paradise and This Is Us
The first link between these series lies behind the scenes: Dan Fogelman, the creator of This Is Us, serves as an executive producer of Paradise. And who takes the lead in the new series? Sterling K. Brown, the unforgettable Randall Pearson, who now portrays Xavier Collins.
But what strengthens this connection even further is the presence of Siddhartha Khosla, the composer of This Is Us, who also crafted the soundtrack for Paradise.
This trio behind the cameras is no coincidence. They know how to build stories that go beyond the surface.
If This Is Us used multiple timelines to deepen characters and explore the passage of time, Paradise does something similar—but within a setting of isolation and survival.
However, this raises a question: are these elements what truly drive the series, or are they merely the backdrop for a thriller that has yet to reveal its true face?
Each episode seems to oscillate between these two approaches, keeping the story unpredictable.
Paradise Takes More from This Is Us Than It Seems
What makes Paradise resemble This Is Us is not just the creative team but also the way the story is told. The similarities go beyond the surface:
- Flashbacks that are not just revelations but essential elements in shaping the characters’ emotions.
- Family relationships that define the main conflicts of the plot.
- A soundtrack that carries a similar emotional weight, enhancing the series’ introspective moments.
But what makes this comparison even more intriguing is that, unlike This Is Us, where drama was the core from the beginning, Paradise shifts between drama and suspense.
It’s a game of expectations: are we watching a thriller with moments of drama, or a drama that uses suspense as a storytelling tool?
But Paradise Has Its Own Identity
Here’s the key point: Paradise may carry the DNA of This Is Us, but it is not a mere repetition.
The series introduces a layer of mystery that This Is Us never had, incorporating elements of thriller and science fiction to keep the audience intrigued. While This Is Us focused on everyday emotions, Paradise adds an element of uncertainty and isolation, turning every relationship into a game of power and survival.
But wait— isn’t it fascinating how creators always leave their mark, even on completely different stories?
Fogelman could have made a dry thriller filled with conspiracy and political tension. But what did he do? He crafted a family drama disguised as a suspense story—or maybe a suspense story disguised as a drama. The bunker, the murder, the collapsing government—they’re all there. But deep down, Paradise still breathes as a story about human relationships.
And the soundtrack reinforces this identity. In This Is Us, the music evoked nostalgia and melancholy. In Paradise, it retains that tone but with an added touch of mystery, fitting seamlessly into the series’ darker atmosphere.
Perhaps this duality is part of the show’s charm. The world may end, chaos may reign, but Dan Fogelman will always want to talk about family. Paradise and This Is Us share the same heart, even if they beat at different rhythms. While one fully embraces drama, the other floats between emotional depth and suspense, never settling on a single path. Perhaps this duality is exactly what makes the series so intriguing.
What Is Paradise About?
After a cataclysm forces humanity to live in underground bunkers, the community of Paradise becomes a refuge for the privileged. But this paradise is shaken when the President of the United States, Cal Bradford, is found dead.
Xavier Collins, a Secret Service agent and former head of the president’s security, must uncover the truth behind the assassination. But as the investigation progresses, he realizes that the real conflicts are not just in political conspiracies—but within his own family and the people living in this confined world.
What happens when humanity’s last refuge turns into an emotional battlefield? Or is it a political battleground disguised as personal drama?
Does Paradise Carry the Essence of This Is Us?
If the soundtrack, flashbacks, and family dilemmas reminded you of This Is Us, now you know why.
But what about the series’ balance between thriller and drama? Do you feel like it leans more toward an emotional story or a suspenseful mystery?
Leave your thoughts in the comments, and let’s discuss this drama that might be more emotional than it appears—or more mysterious than we imagine.
A Post-Apocalyptic Series
If you want a broader analysis of how the show fits into the post-apocalyptic genre, check out our other article: Paradise: Post-Apocalyptic Series That Revolutionizes Fiction.
Where to Watch?
If you haven’t watched it yet and want to experience this blend of suspense and family drama, Paradise is available on Hulu. It’s worth checking out and drawing your own conclusions about what truly drives the series.
