We see Jane run everything in the third episode of Paradise, which brings us back inside the bunker. A month has passed since the events of the season one finale, and a lot has changed.
President Henry Banes rules the city with a closed fist, imprisoning dissenters led by Jeremy, Cal’s son. Agent Robinson is now peers with Jane, who is praised for allegedly saving Sinatra from Xavier’s bullet. However, her modest act doesn’t sit well with Robinson. Meanwhile, Samantha awakens from her 30-day coma, subjected to Banes questioning her about an alleged power source she’s harboring.
This detail whips us back in time, where Sinatra learns life above the bunker will only last a few years before temperatures destabilize and crush the planet. In order to prevent this inevitable fate, she seeks a specific technology. When the tech developer refuses to sell, Cal’s dad connects her to a more persuasive method: Billy Page. The developer’s death is the first of many of their collaborations.
Back in the present, Samantha enjoys being back home when she’s visited by Gaby. Samantha thinks Gaby has arrived to reconcile their friendship. But Gaby bids her goodbye with an old photo of them.
Robinson’s doubt in Jane intensifies as she suspects Billy’s death was foul play. More red flags appear as Robinson witnesses Jane brown nose toward Barnes. It works, allowing her to be alone with the president on a late-night run. Thinking he’s in good hands, Jane slits his throat and frames Robinson for the murder.
As Jane knocked out two birds with one knife, Gaby initiates a plan to spy on Sinatra. And Jeremy, arrested and detained by Barnes’ police, seeks destroy the bunker with the very nan who built it.
Episode 3 delivered the signature twists and turns the series has become known for. Jane continues being a formidable foe, unpredictable, underestimated and unmatched. There’s also clearly more to the professor’s story, even after death. His wife’s name — Alex — being the person Link’s group seeks, tells us that narrative is far from over, and may be a misdirect. The only minor setback was the sudden arrest of Jeremy. While it seems like he planned to get caught, it would have been helpful seeing him in action as the lead provocateur. Perhaps that is what they will deliver in the next episode.
Rating: 7.5/10