‘Almost Paradise’ Recap: ‘Uncoupled’

9/27/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Christian Kane and Samantha Richelle as Alex Walker and Detective Kai Mendoza in Episode 208 of ‘Almost Paradise’. (Photo Courtesy of Chari Villegas/Amazon Freevee.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 208 of ‘Almost Paradise’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Truly, one of the best aspects of enjoying a sophomore season of a show you love, is seeing that beloved series, take the story to new heights. Because now, the setup is complete, the characters are established and the creative team can now take risks, try new things, and accomplish wonders with the story, and we are more than happy to enjoy that ride and all that it offers… provided of course… it is done right. Because this harbors the risk of going sideways if certain key issues come into play. Such as taking the characters in a direction that betrays what we love about them, or by offering too many stories that don’t capture the zeitgeist of the series. Which means… balance has to come into play for the show to keep everyone satisfied and to keep it focused, and one show in its second season that understands this, is Almost Paradise on Amazon Freevee.

Because despite offering up incredible stories that have explored the wonder and history of the Philippines, and bringing forth bold stories that have offered up some refreshing and unique stories, its next episode served as a back-to-basics tale, to keep balance in play and it accomplished that feat in a simple manner, by gifting us with an old school crime investigation for Alex to take part in. One that was free from commentary and free from bold moments, courtesy of a favor for Ocampo. For Kai learned in ‘Uncoupled’, that a pair of loving parents that knew Ocampo from back in the day, were dealing with a unique family problem. In that, their beloved daughter had apparently fallen into the clutches of a cult, and they wanted professional help in figuring out what went wrong and how to get her home.

Which prompted Kai to enlist Alex’s help in what was supposed to be an observational mission. Wherein they went undercover at a couple’s retreat on the very island where the cult operated, to check on the health of their target and to find a way to bring her home. A move that brought about… more than they bargained for. Because the cult leader was immediately smitten with Kai, and decided she needed to be the next addition to his growing ‘harem’ of women surrounding him. Because that was what he loved to collect, women in need, and women in distress. Who could easily be manipulated with his sweet words. Which made this less a cult and more of a hustle run by a gross dude, one that let his libido rule the day, and that should have made the mission easy since cracking the façade of a man like that, was something both Alex and Kai specialized in. But alas, the lothario was murdered, and their cover was quickly broken so they could solve who committed this crime.

In part because their mark was being blamed for this, but also because… justice needed to be served, and with the help of Lockhart and their wondrous minds… they were able to uncover the killer’s identity and bring him and his equally as toxic nonsense to justice. And of course… they brought a lost soul home. All of which… was vintage Almost Paradise. Since a majority of the early episodes involved Alex just doing the right thing and working with Kai and Ernesto to just put bad people behind bars and use their combined intelligence to do so, and that made… for one satisfying tale. One that also featured other hallmarks we love about this tale. Since there was humor to be found via Agent Lockhart, who returned here to take part in the same couple’s retreat… alone… since his new lady opted to run off with her masseuse. And dear old Lockhart brought some laughs with his bumbling ways and via his help in bringing down the baddie. Plus, Ernesto borrowing the boat led to some laughs since Alex hasn’t exactly kept the boat in the best shape, and… the trademark character development present in this series was also on display, courtesy of Alex and Kai.

Simply because… their interactions here were vastly different. In that, there was real respect between them now. Speaking to how far they’ve come, how much they care for each other, and there was even a tiny hint of something deeper there. Of course, if that’s the case, time will tell. Since there was no chance for that to be explored further. But what mattered more, is that this duo has gone from frosty partners/frenemies to a well-oiled brain machine that can achieve wonders, and really… in the end, this was the perfect way to bring about balance and keep this show focused and grounded. And now that this writer’s room has provided us with balance, it will be interesting to see what lies ahead. Because those same writers have now paid great respect to the story and the fans, and that gives them renewed license to either stay the course or go big and surprise us further. Until next time.

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