Paradise Episode 4 Teases How The World Really Ended (& If Anyone Could Have Survived)

The following contains spoilers for Paradise episode 4, "Agent Billy Pace," now streaming on HuluParadise has revealed a bit more about the world at large, but in a way that only spurs on more questions. Paradise is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where the world effectively ended three years prior to the events of the show. A community has survived thanks to the efforts of the United States government, which was able to save 25,000 people and keep them alive underneath a massive domed city underneath a Colorado mountain. This state of existence has weighed heavily on the survivors, giving a dark backdrop to the murder mystery elements of the show's intrigue.

The true nature of the world ending remains a mystery four episodes into Paradise, but it's clear by the end of "Agent Billy Pace" that those in power have been lying to the survivors about the state of the world. While some figures like President Cal Bradford are indicated to genuinely believe they are alone, an attempt to discover more about potential life on the surface of the Earth spurred a major conspiracy between some of Paradise's most dangerous characters. Here's how episode 4 delves into the fate of Earth and if people could be still alive on the surface.

Paradise Reveals What's Left Of The World Outside The Dome

Paradise's World Might Not Be As Doomed As It Initially Appeared

One of the big twists in "Agent Billy Pace" reveals more about the state of the world after Paradise's off-screen cataclysmic event and teases that the situation isn't as apocalyptic as many survivors have been led to believe. "Agent Billy Pace" reveals that a few months after the population had to hide in the domed city, President Cal Bradford organized an investigation into the surface to determine the state of the world. This team of four scientists was sent outside but never returned. In reality, they were killed on the surface by Billy Pace, on the direct orders of Redmond.

As Pace sees for himself, The world is indeed a bleak place now, with an intense winter seemingly blanketing a nearby city in snow and blotting any clear sunlight. This suggests that whatever event doomed the world really did bring about widespread death and destruction. However, the scientists discovered that the situation wasn't as hopeless as many believed. It turns out the air is still breathable and that life is still capable of surviving on the surface. This means people may have even survived on the surface, which remains hidden from most of the survivors.

How Did The World End In Paradise?

A Flash Of Light And Non-Stop Winter On The Surface Tease A Few Specific Possibilities

The exact nature of how the world ended in Paradise remains unknown, although there have been some very clear clues. On the one hand, the United States government was aware of the event enough that they planned ahead of the catastrophe and constructed the ultimate fallout shelter to survive the event. However, the actual event included a massive flash of light, which Xavier Collins recalls during a flashback while talking to his wife over the phone before she was caught in (and presumably killed by) the event. There are still multiple possible options about how this could have happened.

Another natural event that could have caused that would be an asteroid hitting the Earth, which could cut off the sun and would explain the giant flash Collins saw.

Initially, it appeared that climate change was the most likely culprit for the end of the world, which would build off of Redmond's fears being stoked by a scientist at a global summit. The state of the world supports this, with a new ice age having seemingly crossed the planet. Another natural event that could have caused that would be an asteroid hitting the Earth, which could cut off the sun and would explain the giant flash Collins saw. There's also a chance the world was ruined by human conflict, with a nuclear war setting off the winter instead.

Paradise Teases Other People May Still Be Alive On Earth

The Domed City Might Not Be Alone In Paradise

One of the most tantalizing aspects of Paradise's catastrophe event and Billy Pace's role in covering up the research on the event is the idea that humans might have survived on the surface. Before Pace kills the last of the science expedition team, she tells him that life can survive on the surface. Redmond acknowledges to Pace later that people may have indeed survived. However, she suggests that anyone who did survive is doing so with few supplies and likely fewer moral limits, making them potentially very dangerous.

Paradise could visit other potential locations and settings in a potential season 2, which has been addressed by James Marsden.

This sets up a lot of potential story avenues for Paradise to take down the line, especially if it continues to reveal more about the state of the world at large. There's a chance that other communities have formed up, which could have little desire to fall under the sway of a reduced American government. Survivors could seek out the city if they discovered it survived, or even attempt to take the supplies within it by force. There could even be other governments around the world who did similar things to the United States government, meaning other political forces might have also survived.

The Upper Class Of Paradise Is Lying About The End Of The World

Paradise Episode 4 Confirms That Redmond Is The Big Bad

While there are many mysteries remaining about Paradise's end of the world, one thing that is clear is who the show is positioning as their true villain. While Redmond was established earlier in the show as a tragic figure with a sad backstory and understandable motivation, Paradise doesn't back away from the fact that Redmond ordered the murder of innocent scientists for the sake of covering up their discoveries and threatening her absolute power in the domed city. Billy Pace isn't wrong when he disregards any of her personal motivations, instead highlighting her actions over her motivations.

This, coupled with Redmond's swift decision to have Pace killed and frame it as a suicide, makes it clear that Redmond is the primary villain of Paradise. While her true role in the murder of Cal Bradford remains a mystery, the upper class of Paradise seem to be fine embracing their somber situation if it means they continue to be at the top of the societal food chain. This also further pits here against Collins. Billy had warned Collins about how dangerous Redmond was, and his sudden death will likely pit them further against one another.

What The Remnants Of The World Means For Paradise

The End Of The World Might Not Be What It Seems Like

The world being a hostile but potentially salvageable place in Paradise widens the scope of the show in some very important ways. For one thing, it means that other corners of the planet could be fleshed out in future stories and other communities might make moves against the city. This could be a point that unifies the various characters in the show against a common enemy, one that forces them to put aside their personal conflicts and views for the sake of survival.

Paradise hasn't revealed if other people are alive on Earth, but the possibility could be explored in future episodes or possible other seasons.

However, the discovery that the world isn't as ruined as they were led to believe could also be a major factor in bringing down the remnant US government. The powerful may control the society that remains, but they could still easily be overpowered by the greater populace if they lashed out. The truth about the world could turn them against Redmond and her forces, and losing the faith of people like her daughter could push her into a desperate position. The world of Paradise is still expanding, and setting the stage for plenty of dark conflict.