Almost Paradise - General Discussion

[fastiller]

On 7/23/2023 at 8:57 AM, Mitchypoo said:

“Let’s go steal a casino.”

Followed by: "Why'd he do that and just walk out the room?"

Beautiful.  Along with Kai's "Dammit Walker!" in an earlier ep, I was feeling the Leverage love.

Edited July 24, 2023 by fastiller

[Raja]

S01.E03: A Fisherfolk Tale

Romeo and Juliet of fishing clans. For the second time we get scuba diving at night to get information, but this time without Kai as a dive partner. So far in the first three episodes she seemed to be deemphasized in favor of more time going to Ernesto.

I think they played it to far in Ernesto standing down the Romero's alone before the father called them off. And back up took their time arriving when he predicted the  rumble site. I wonder if school is in session as Rita seems to be spending way too much time with boss Alex.

I haven't listened to it yet and it seems only the second season premiere episode is up but there is a new podcast:

Paradise Found: The Official Almost Paradise After Show

I wonder how "official" they actually are? You would think more episodes would be up since Freevee dumps the entire season at once and they had an entire season to go back and cover

[Raja]

After listening to the season preview episode it seems like the podcast is official. There are a lot of interviews with cast and crew and our two hosts do a quick recaps of season 1. 

One thing that I didn't realize was like Art Acuna, Ernesto spent 20 years in New York before joining the police 

[Raja]

On 7/22/2023 at 6:49 PM, AnimeMania said:

Episode 4 finally answered some of my questions about how the people live the Philippines.

So it was more the extended Alamares family  compound with lolo being cared for by the family and making room for Alex more than the secular version of "God's will what are you going to  do" that the episode title bahala na references that caught your eye 

[AnimeMania]

2 hours ago, Raja said:

So it was more the extended Alamares family  compound

Pretty much. I was not seeing sidewalks or houses, there were lots of people but not a lot of information about where they lived. There seems to be a lot of fenced in areas that serve as residences containing a large number of extended families.

[Raja]

6 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

Pretty much. I was not seeing sidewalks or houses, there were lots of people but not a lot of information about where they lived. There seems to be a lot of fenced in areas that serve as residences containing a large number of extended families.

Not many white picket fences, at least in the large cities, but higher gates with spikes and broken glass to stop the burglars like that hitman. The middle class areas also have many gated communities. Part of what seems to be missing is the overwhelming presence of security guards and the barangay patrol which would be an unarmed supplement to the police. But then mostly we are looking at murders and international smugglers to account for Alex getting on the case

[Mitchypoo]

Why is Cory not in season 2?

[Raja]

2 hours ago, Mitchypoo said:

Why is Cory not in season 2?

I'm speculating but Filipino actors work under  a near studio system for a parent  network. While there are more actor crossovers than in the past. But during the COVID break she moved from  mainly ABS-CBN to mostly GMA

[DoctorAtomic]

I was dying at the 'underground badminton' tournament in episode 2 because you know Walker was going to be cleaned out. The 'Cebu brothers' were a little over the top with the acting, but that made Walker almost snapping the guy's arm more satisfying. He probably could have taken all four of them. Poor Walker was so awful at badminton though. 

Although, Kai sniping a Walker to not go all cowboy and then going all cowboy herself was rich. 

I liked that this episode drew on Walker's DEA experience.

Did they recast the little girl from last season?

[Raja]

37 minutes ago, DoctorAtomic said:

Did they recast the little girl from last season?

The COVID "blip" (for MCU fans) she just aged up to a young teen since the first season. Likewise from promo of Kai as Mactan's youngest detective she is now in her mid 30s

[AnimeMania]

In Episode 7: All In, Alex went on his boat date with really sweaty armpits.

[DoctorAtomic]

Episode 3.
I like the boat idea because it opens up more stories. Even though it's a lemon. 
"Was the other guy Manny Pacquiao?" Good one. 

I wouldn't have blamed the Ramon for killing the father tbh. I don't mind a old family feud plot, but the families were playing way over the time. If I was the Chief, I would have locked up the lot of them. Never mind the curfew. If they're so bent on killing each other, let them. 

I always like how Ernesto is low-key bamf. You totally knew he could beat up the entire family. 

[Raja]

1 hour ago, DoctorAtomic said:

Episode 3.
I like the boat idea because it opens up more stories. Even though it's a lemon

I was thinking you're way to low rent for the type of dream charters he was  talking about. But Alex is a step up from the nautical equivalent of a jeepney, the pump boats that the coach class tourist would island hop on.

[DoctorAtomic]

1 hour ago, Raja said:

I was thinking you're way to low rent for the type of dream charters he was  talking about.

Probably. I'm thinking there's a lot of need for water travel, so he can shuttle people around. Or tourists might want just a day out on the water. Assuming the boat works. It looked better when they cleaned it up. I'm getting too much into it, but it's a smart second revenue stream. TV-wise, you want your second season to expand the show universe. 

Episode 4.
I liked we get to see Ernesto's family. The whole dinner scene was just so nice, with all the kids eating on the railing. I loved how everyone poured out to get the intruder. The bus Walker took to Ernesto's had an ad for the 'Cebu Brothers' on it, which was the badminton team in episode 2.

I liked the actors being the flashback. The guy playing Silvio knocked it out of the park. I was holding my breath when the reporter snuck out because you just knew the editor was in on it. Angelo saved the day too! 

It's a summer show, so I don't mind it being breezy. I do like they slipped in a little social commentary though. I think this might have been my favorite of the series so far. This was a dense, tight script. 

There's been a few quick beats in the show where some of the actors bust out a laugh or Kane gives a look that seems ad libbed. I don't know if the actors are more settled into the roles, but it's more authentic. They seem to be not covering up Richelle's tattoos as much anymore either. 

Edited July 30, 2023 by DoctorAtomic

[Raja]

1 hour ago, DoctorAtomic said:

The bus Walker took to Ernesto's had an ad for the 'Cebu Brothers' on it, which was the badminton team in episode 2.

That was one of the newer vehicle types that are replacing the classic stretched  WWII era jeep as a jeepney. I guess technically a bus but wouldn't be called that.

1 hour ago, DoctorAtomic said:

They seem to be not covering up Richelle's tattoos as much anymore either. 

A few years later and visible tattoos are becoming more prominent on straight women. As a culture they are years behind America culture in that acceptance.

[Raja]

On 7/22/2023 at 7:28 PM, giovannif7 said:

Just finished Season 2 Episode 5. I wasn't aware how badly I needed to see an entire prison yard of convicts flash-mobbing to Debbie Gibson's Electric Youth. Thank you for giving me the laugh I needed show! 🕺🕺🕺🕺🕺🤣👏

Well an almost full yard. Jace Vargas has to put up with it for the rest of his life

On 7/29/2023 at 5:39 PM, DoctorAtomic said:

Probably. I'm thinking there's a lot of need for water travel, so he can shuttle people around. Or tourists might want just a day out on the water. Assuming the boat works. It looked better when they cleaned it up. I'm getting too much into it, but it's a smart second revenue stream. TV-wise, you want your second season to expand the show universe. 

It seems as if there is also a real world reason because of typhoon damage they are mostly shooting on Cebu instead of Mactan for the season. So more travel among the province.

Episode 5 Bob the insurance risk analyst would actually rent a car to drive in a foreign land is a bit out there. With untouched bags strapped to the roof of the car no less. I read on the Before the 90 Days Fiancée forum about a guy freaking out when confronted with Manila traffic for the first time as many yield or go decisions often seem opposite to what an American would expect from other drivers.  But in an empty street production, maybe under some remaining COVID protocols it often seems as only police cars are on the street.

Kai and Ernesto out shooting an entire squad is true action movie star scene, at least they held the high ground before advancing.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E09: Old Times

What a totally improbable episode, I guess Cebu needs Prison Reform starting with all of the Guards and probably the Warden as well.

[Raja]

Season 2 episode 6 Ghost Month

Alex is the badass hand to hand fighter this time around. One thing really noticeable this time was that the Freevee commercial breaks didn't line up with the breaks for regular broadcast built into the show. Especially the gunshot, break come back to find the husband down scene.

I was thinking just before what was the recent widow and wife doing flirting with Alex then we had the reveal of the off camera con to set her up.

I wonder if Kai going to NBI training will play again in the back half of episodes.  And speaking of Nina putting her flirt on Alex, what was up with the picture at the memorial wall? It was as if they are teasing something more than work partners and newer mentor for Kai.

[DoctorAtomic]

Episode 5
I thought it was kind of ridiculous that Alex's ex wife wouldn't let him drive the car because of 'insurance'. She can be ticked at him all she wants, but she knows this is what he knows how to do.

I don't get the flash mob in the prison. This episode was kind of sloppy. 

[Raja]

8 hours ago, DoctorAtomic said:

I don't get the flash mob in the prison.

I guess it is assumed that part of the general audience hadn't come across the dancing prisoners of Cebu for the  past 15 years the videos have been released? 

Teasing the regular exercise program as a flash mob the guards were surprised by  to cover the escape of the Water boarder  was probably a case of trying to be too cute.

[DoctorAtomic]

That's a real thing? 

[Raja]

19 minutes ago, DoctorAtomic said:

That's a real thing? 

It first went viral with the inmates dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller in 2007.

City jails in the Manila area have also picked up the exercise program

Cebu dancing inmates wiki page

[DoctorAtomic]

Consider me surprised that the flash mob is a real thing. It may have warranted a line of exposition. It was clever to use the flash mob to cover for the breakout though. They took the time to explain the hungry ghosts and Ghost Month in the next episode. I certainly do enjoy the show showing us these cultural nuances and traditions, but I think it's fair criticism that the execution of the scene could have been better. 

Episode 6
I liked the coded phone conversation. That was also clever. I liked how they tied the 'hungry ghost' to an actual case of foul play for Ivan. I did like Walker not really buying the seance. Kane really sold it without saying anything. 

Edited August 6, 2023 by DoctorAtomic

[Raja]

27 minutes ago, DoctorAtomic said:

Consider me surprised that the flash mob is a real thing. It may have warranted a line of exposition. It was clever to use the flash mob to cover for the breakout though. They took the time to explain the hungry ghosts and Ghost Month in the next episode. I certainly do enjoy the show showing us these cultural nuances and traditions, but I think it's fair criticism that the execution of the scene could have been better. 

Episode 6

The thing is in real life its not a flash mob but an organized exercise period so the guard force wouldn't be any more distracted than any other day. So for the show we got the out of the ordinary feeling with the guards in competition for their video clicks would miss the escape 

[DoctorAtomic]

I totally didn't see the Nina twist coming though. Well done. 

[Raja]

Season 2 episode 7: All In

The fake casino heist. I can't say that there was any surprise that the security firm was going to be the big bad. Uncle Johnny and his heavily armed team of retired private investigators for the win. With a secondary attempt by the guys last job and breaking cover with his number 2 arrested to get the stars into the hero role.

I couldn't have heard correctly that they had hotel reservations for Guam the next day for the escape plan

[Raja]

Season 2 episode 8: Uncoupled

I think its clear that if they get a few more seasons a Kai and Alex relationship is their endgame. It seems unbelievable that the guru has been seducing partners away for a decade without getting a bad rating.. I guess all the protectors were once mates with his women.

Cool Ernesto stranded on the ocean between islands with no stress at all. But the kicker was Almost Paradise biting the ending of a Death in Paradise episode when bringing all the suspects and witnesses together to make the arrest. Although I don't think they ever had an armed cult to resist arrest over in the Caribbean 

Edited August 8, 2023 by Raja

[Raja]

On 7/29/2023 at 5:39 PM, DoctorAtomic said:

They seem to be not covering up Richelle's tattoos as much anymore either

With one episode left I'm back to this issue. In the first season Kai was undercover as a hotel special events manager doing a high end wedding when they covered her up for the undercover role. This season going undercover as a cocktail waitress while her uniform covered her arms Kai made a comment about it being inappropriate, probably because it was too short and her calf tattoo was exposed. Besides those two scenes I'm not seeing a difference between the seasons. Perhaps Samantha Ricelle added a few more tattoos between the seasons.

[Raja]

Season 2 episode 9 Old Times

I guess that I am not used to the beats on these 10 episode seasons as the Kai/Alex ship went into flank speed. With Ann Venegas conveniently put aside for a morals issue. But before then Kai out of jealousy backing off because she saw a date when she knew that Alex was trying to court Ann.   

I was surprised that they got into Ann being thought of being an old single in their culture, but then at the guru's an episode before a similar thought was aimed at Kai. It just wasn't as overt.

Going into the season finale will see go to Manila in a relationship cliffhanger as we wonder about a season 3 or decide being a hometown cop is more satisfying then being a big national detective like she stated at the start of the series. Or does she want to be the highest level of cop like her mentor who murdered her mother?

[DoctorAtomic]

On 8/8/2023 at 10:06 PM, Raja said:

With one episode left I'm back to this issue. In the first season Kai was undercover as a hotel special events manager doing a high end wedding when they covered her up for the undercover role.

I remember that one where she covered them up with makeup wearing a sleeveless dress. I thought it was odd they went to the effort to use makeup to cover her up than just clothes. I've only watched the episodes once up to All In right now, and it just seems like she's wearing more tank tops and we're seeing the tattoos more this season versus her more covered up last season or just shot from different angles where you didn't see them versus now. I'm not criticizing her (the character) for having tattoos, or the actor for having tattoos. I didn't see why it was a big deal (from memory) that we just didn't see them and now it's not (seemingly a big deal) from what I've seen. 

 

All In
Nice to see Ann make a return. She seems to be overwhelmed having to run the family empire. Smart scheme to test the casino security. I don't care what movie or show, 'we're going to rob a casino', and I'm there. Also this season Kai trash talks so much more, and I'm there for it. Kind of a cheat though to let the others in on the scam on the heist. Very clever to target ATMs to rob the casino than the shoe though. 

"Let's go steal a casino"! They even played the Leverage music!

This was a lot of fun but kind of far fetched for the show. I liked we got a return of Angelo. Going back to reinstating the uncle lands well for the show. 

 

 

 

[Raja]

7 hours ago, DoctorAtomic said:

I've only watched the episodes once up to All In right now, and it just seems like she's wearing more tank tops and we're seeing the tattoos more this season versus her more covered up last season or just shot from different angles where you didn't see them versus now. I'm not criticizing her (the character) for having tattoos, or the actor for having tattoos. I didn't see why it was a big deal (from memory) that we just didn't see them and now it's not (seemingly a big deal) from what I've seen. 

I think Samantha and thus Kai just added more tattoos in the 2 (show)-3 real life year hiatus.

Season 2 episode 10 season finale: Brigade

While the show is in English which throws off perceptions Alex goes undercover in a prison when by everything said about him to this point he wouldn't know any Cebuano, with only a smaller trustee prisoner gang as back up. What could go wrong? Why his friends going rogue in an attempt to save him of course.

A nice pair of parties to bookend the episode. On other shows the production staff double as extras as a filmed wrap party. As the show seems to be a passion project for Dean Devlin and perhaps bundled with Leverage for Amazon it comes back. Being ad supported instead of driving new subscriptions as a base perhaps the two season norm for streaming shows will be broken.

[DoctorAtomic]

Maybe she got more tattoos. It just seems like her shoulder one is less covered up now. Like I said, it doesn't matter to me. Just something I observed. 

Uncoupled
I do like that Walker was immediately ready to help the girl out as soon as Kai brought it up. I got a kick out of them playing it up all hippie. It's got to be fun for the actors to stretch out of the usual roles. And we get some Lockhart!

The cult leader was a perfect douchebag. Fairly rigid gender roles for a cult. Kai and Walker's continual looks of incredulity were hilarious. I wonder if they were trying to make each other break. 

I liked the whole 'assemble in the drawing room' to reveal the murderer. I knew the head lady had something to do with it, but the plot twist was good. 

I actually hope they don't ship Kai and Walker. I don't think the show needs it. 

"in the beeeeddd?!" Ernesto steals the ending. 

Edited August 13, 2023 by DoctorAtomic

[DoctorAtomic]

On 8/7/2023 at 8:35 PM, Raja said:

It seems unbelievable that the guru has been seducing partners away for a decade without getting a bad rating.

They had a quick line in the drawing room scene about him racking up bills harassing them. So maybe he threatened them into silence. Or paid them off. 

Old Times
So, we want to see Walker be a PI with Rita as his internet sleuth sidekick with her tv detective knowledge, right? I am liking his solo investigating; getting the fingerprints, getting them out of the room. 

I didn't see Walker being the target, but I have to call some shenanigans on Alex not facing the door or just not hearing them come in. Are there hotel rooms where the desk is to the back of the door? Usually they're along the walls. I could see that with the two of them and only the one exit, they might have got the shot on him. Still though. 

I do like the casino being a new setting for the show, and Kai knowing the use the kitchen.

I can understand Ann being ticked because she told Walker to stay out of it, but does she know him? She should have figured a better way to clue to him in, or get a message to Kai. 

Kai and Ernesto are so awesome beating the goons with the plates. 

I feel like my not wanting to ship Kai and Walker is losing ground though. I really don't want to see her agonizing over the promotion because of Walker. 

Edited August 13, 2023 by DoctorAtomic

[DoctorAtomic]

Finale!
I didn't have much to do today, so I gunned the last batch of episodes. I got more new shows coming up so I needed to wrap the show up anyway. 

Kai putting off her promotion is fine, but it's silly to portray that she needs to start the job *right now*. Having to move, etc., would take time, and she's probably not on the payroll until their equivalent of the start of the fiscal year. It's kind of a weak take that she gave up the promotion. Why bother? Just have her contemplating a career move. 

I don't see Walker needs to sell the ranch either. Hire a manager, or sell a stake in it and take some of the profits. 

I knew the whole arrest was staged because the Chief was so off the chain. He should have known Ernesto and Kai weren't going to just stand down. They could have seriously screwed up the mission, which they kind of did. 

The scene about the cons being glad for a second chance was funny. 

When they said that the network was running through the warden's server, I'm surprised neither Ernesto or Walker thought that was fishy right off the bat. 

Kudos to the actor playing Vargas though playing it to the hilt. 

This was exciting, but we needed a lot to swallow to roll with it. Great to see the Chief really working the whole case. 

 

[Raja]

4 hours ago, DoctorAtomic said:

Kai putting off her promotion is fine, but it's silly to portray that she needs to start the job *right now*. Having to move, etc., would take time, and she's probably not on the payroll until their equivalent of the start of the fiscal year. It's kind of a weak take that she gave up the promotion. Why bother? Just have her contemplating a career move. 

I don't see Walker needs to sell the ranch either. Hire a manager, or sell a stake in it and take some of the profits. 

 I need to go back and try to remember exactly what was the settlement Alex came to with his ex wife. Of course selling the property instead of having nothing, the gift shop being not worth anything to him except for Rita being around. So why stay in Mactan without Kai is what they gave us. And now there is nothing to  go back to America as Alex is all in. 

I wonder how "real" they want to play the police part? Now Kai wasn't just transferring to  a Manila PD  from the Mactan PD to be a detective there. Rather that she, fresh from NBI (their FBI equivalent) training and I guess assessment test, was going to stand up a new national level undercover unit.  In real life she would be doing something like transferring from a San Diego office of the police force, the Mactan station of the Philippines National Police (PNP), to a combined  New York and Washington DC headquarters. And with a new special unit how long does the nation  wait before moving on to the first runner up.

Though for the show it certainly looks like the Mactan PD under Chief Ocampo is totally separate and not the PNP office under Lieutenant Colonel Ocampo answering to a Colonel in Cebu and then to the Generals in Manila.

[DoctorAtomic]

I'm sure there would have been a hard deadline for the job, like the start of the fiscal year. I'm saying that making it as immediate as they did, I just don't buy. Especially since it's a new position. 

[Johannah]

On 7/23/2023 at 8:57 AM, Mitchypoo said:

“Let’s go steal a casino.”

That was awesome!

 

I just stumbled upon this show about a month ago and just finished watching the first two seasons.  Don't know if there will be a third, but I hope so.  I loved it!

The entire cast is fantastic.  Wasn't thrilled with the captain (or whatever his rank is) at first, but by the end of the first 2 seasons, he won me over.

So, so enjoyable for me.  Not sure if there is a possibility for a third season, with Kane making Redemption, but I hope so.

[Raja]

2 hours ago, Johannah said:

That was awesome!

 

I just stumbled upon this show about a month ago and just finished watching the first two seasons.  Don't know if there will be a third, but I hope so.  I loved it!

The entire cast is fantastic.  Wasn't thrilled with the captain (or whatever his rank is) at first, but by the end of the first 2 seasons, he won me over.

So, so enjoyable for me.  Not sure if there is a possibility for a third season, with Kane making Redemption, but I hope so.

I guess that depends upon Amazon continuing to buy it. The producer being FilAm it does seem to be a passion project for him. And as a team Kane has worked for his boss on multiple projects 

[Raja]

The season finale podcast episode just dropped this weekend. Christian Kane is saying that after the first season that he and Dean Devlin literally caught the last flight out of Manila when the lockdowns hit.  And most of the crew was stuck in limbo 

[Trey]

For those of us in Canada, Season 2 is being shown on CTV Drama on Sunday night.  It started Oct. 1 so I've already missed 2 episodes but I just saw a promo for it last night.

[andromeda331]

Love the let's go steal a casino.

I'm glad Alex, Kai and Ernesto are all still the same as they were from the first season. I wasn't sure if that would be the case with the break. I love Alex and Kai but Ernesto is my favorite. He's just so chill and awesome. I loved meeting his family.

I loved the underground ended up being a badmintion. That was a great twist and it was a lot of fun. I like the ghost one too. I like learning more about the Philipplnes. I'm glad Alex figured out the widow was the murderer. 

I don't like Alex's ex-wife but did laugh that she was played by the same actress who played Anne Hanley in Leverage the Inside Job who wanted to cause a famine to increase market shares and tried to kill Archie and Parker. 

I liked Uncle Johnny and happy that he and his guys took down the bad guys. 

[fastiller]

12 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

Love the let's go steal a casino.

<snip>

I don't like Alex's ex-wife but did laugh that she was played by the same actress who played Anne Hanley in Leverage the Inside Job who wanted to cause a famine to increase market shares and tried to kill Archie and Parker. 

 

'Let's  go steal a casino' - with the walkaway.  Was indeed a great touch!

Alex's ex was played by Lisa Brenner, Dean Devlin's actual, current wife.  They work together a bunch.

Edited October 13, 2023 by fastiller

[Trey]

I just watched the season finale.  I really enjoyed it and the whole season, probably even more than Season One.

I keep googling for info on Season Three but so far have found nothing.