Episode 2 of "Paradise" unfurls twelve years prior to the present day, where Samantha, alias "Sinatra," assembles an elite gathering of global geniuses. Here, the narrative unearths her ongoing excavation of an underground city, though the enigmatic purpose behind this endeavor remains shrouded in mystery.
In the contemporary thread, Collins picks up one of Bradshaw's cigarettes and discovers a six-digit number inscribed upon it. A fleeting glimpse into the city reveals it as an unassuming, mundane locale, indistinguishable from any other.
As Samantha pens a heartfelt eulogy for Bradshaw, we learn that she was a self-made billionaire, a title she earned through sheer determination and prowess. Her love story with her husband began in a quaint pub, and their bond flourished into a deep and abiding affection—until their eldest son fell prey to a chronic illness.
Meanwhile, Collins finds himself under interrogation, as he was the last confirmed sighting of Bradshaw before his demise. Samantha and Dr. Gabriela Torabi, a psychologist, observe the proceeding with keen interest. Midway through the grilling, Gabriela subtly takes charge, probing Collins about any hidden resentment towards Bradshaw. She discreetly flashes her palm, upon which the words "say yes" are inscribed. Collins pauses, torn between truth and doubt, but eventually nods in agreement. Gabriela then contends that his confession, albeit compelled, implies his innocence, and Samantha reluctantly concurs. Collins is subsequently placed on administrative leave.
This revised version aims to infuse the narrative with greater vividness and emotional depth, while retaining the original meaning intact.Through a cascade of vivid flashbacks, Samantha's arduous journey in grappling with her son's relentless chronic illness unfolds. Amidst this challenging period, she encounters Gabriela, a grief expert whose wisdom provides her with a invaluable conduit to navigate her tumultuous emotions.
Elsewhere in the town, the community convenes at the town hall, where leaders solemnly declare Bradshaw's demise as a result of natural causes and administer the oath of office to a fresh presidential figure. Meanwhile, Presley, Collins' eldest daughter, opts to forgo the town hall proceedings and trails Bradshaw's son to the library. There, he unburdens his heart, expressing profound remorse over a heated altercation he had with his late father, mere moments before his passing.
More flashbacks interject, illuminating a shared past where Samantha and Bradshaw attended a lecture heralding an impending catastrophe that threatened to obliterate humanity. Intrigued by the topic, Samantha eagerly sought out the lecturer for deeper insights, her curiosity piqued.
Returning to the present, Collins confides in Billy, voicing his deep-seated distrust towards Samantha. Meanwhile, Bradshaw junior reveals to Presley the airplanes that had brought them to the city, stirring a sense of nostalgia. The episode concludes on a poignant note, with another tender flashback: Samantha, by her dying son's bedside, asks him to paint a picture of heaven. His innocent response, "Just like here, but with more horse rides," serves as the inspiration behind the underground town's ubiquitous horses, forever etched in the town's collective memory.
