Paradise Season 2 Dubbed 'Messy' and 'Disjointed' in Critical Reception
The highly anticipated second season of Hulu's post-apocalyptic drama Paradise has landed with a thud among television critics, who are branding the new installment as 'messy' and 'disjointed' in a series of barbed reviews. Following its breakout success in 2025, which earned several Emmy nominations including Best Drama and Best Actor for Sterling K. Brown, the series' return has failed to capture the same acclaim, with reviewers highlighting significant shortcomings.
Plot Inconsistencies and Unanswered Questions Plague New Season
Critics have pointed to numerous issues with Paradise season two, including plot inconsistencies, too many unresolved mysteries, and new characters that add little to the overarching storyline. The Hollywood Reporter's Angie Han described the season as 'frustrating and exasperating to watch' due to 'little plot holes' and 'storylines that fizzled out into dead ends.' Han argued that while the show has always emphasised emotion over logic, the latest run prioritises heart to such a degree that 'the entire thing feels out of whack.'
Comparisons to Lost and Character Missteps
Polygon's Jake Kleinman drew parallels between Paradise and the iconic sci-fi series Lost, noting similar themes, an over-reliance on flashbacks, and a tendency to pile on unanswered questions. 'New mysteries get piled on, muddying the waters and giving audiences too much to keep track of,' Kleinman wrote. 'It's the same temptation that doomed Lost: creating enticing new questions is easy, satisfyingly answering them is much harder.' Meanwhile, AV Club's Brian Tallerico criticised the inclusion of new characters like Annie, played by Shailene Woodley, who feel 'generally wasted by the time their arc is complete.' However, Tallerico did concede that the series remains watchable with no bad performances.
Season Two Expands the Post-Apocalyptic World
The second season of Paradise continues the story of Sterling K. Brown's character, Xavier Collins, a widowed Secret Service agent investigating the assassination of President Cal Bradford, played by James Marsden. This installment sees Xavier journey to Atlanta in search of his wife, Teri, while navigating a dangerous world after a global catastrophe. New characters are introduced, including Woodley's survivor at Graceland, as the social fabric crumbles among survivors hiding in a Colorado bunker.
Streaming Strategy and Critical Scores
Despite the negative reviews, Paradise season two currently holds an 86 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, matching its first season's rating. The series is part of a broader trend among streaming services to reduce gaps between seasons, with just 13 months separating its first and second installments. This strategy, also seen in shows like Hulu's The Bear, Apple TV's Slow Horses, and Max's Hacks, aims to maintain audience interest and momentum in a competitive television landscape.
