‘Almost Paradise’ Rewatch: Finding Fulfillment

Written by John Edward Betancourt

How ‘Finding Mabuhay’ Fulfills Alex Walker’s Desire to do Genuine Good in the World

‘Oh, and by the way, I’m always paying attention.’
- Alex Walker

If there is one thing that television fans everywhere can agree upon, it would have to be that rewatching our favorite television shows can be quite the fulfilling experience. Especially when the series in question is top-notch. Because a great show tends to be carefully layered and filled to the brim with depth and that means that when we dive in a second or third or eighth time around, we find something new and meaningful that we missed the first time we watched it, and that’s precisely why it is a wonderful thing that the Christian Kane series, Almost Paradise, is back on the air at IMDbTV. Because now fans of this series can dissect Alex Walker’s fascinating journey in great detail, and savor over the wonderful nuances that Christian Kane and Dean Devlin injected into this grand and sweeping story of redemption.
 
Which is precisely what this particular blog series is hopefully going to accomplish, since we are going to re-examine every episode in detail and reflect upon what’s different a second time around, such as the fact that the series premiere of this saga, has a different tone when you watch it again. Because initially, ‘Finding Mabuhay’ is a story that truly seemed to focus upon the bitter conflict that was roiling within Alex’s soul over being discharged from government service. As though he wasn’t sure how to process the unfinished business, he left behind alongside his desire to enjoy a sense of peace and relaxation for a change. And that first viewing also made it seem as though, the only reason he returns to public service, is because lives are in danger and leaving people to their own devices and allowing for harm to come to others wouldn’t sit right with him.
 
But the fact that we know how season one ends and what Alex is about, is what brings about that shift in tone. Because it is obvious, the second time around, that he’s actually angry about leaving unfinished business on the table, and he’s equally as furious over the fact that bureaucracy and gamesmanship helped to keep him from doing what he really wants to do in life, and that’s help people and do genuine good in the world. And that realization adds depth and gravity and satisfaction to this tale, since now we completely understand why Alex is so eager to go along with a rogue plan. All so that he can finally do some good without the shackles he is accustomed to dealing with and that also explains why he is so fearful of getting back into the business at one point during the story. Since he simply cannot stomach the thought of failing at something he excels at, once again.

If anything, a rewatch of the premiere really makes it clear how nuanced and complex Alex Walker truly is out of the gate and that is a testament to the writing and quite frankly, Christian Kane’s performance. In fact, that warrants some serious praise today simply because a second viewing of this episode really does hammer home how talented he is as an actor. Because he is able to express every complex emotion that we’ve just discussed in a realistic and powerful manner, especially when he lets his frustrations at the DEA bubble to the surface and his acting is so well refined here and so smooth that it is basically safe to say that Alex Walker is his finest performance to date. Because he really sells this character, and the vulnerability that he gives Alex is what immediately allows for the viewer to root for this guy. Since you want nothing more than for him to find the peace that he is so desperately seeking, and the happiness that he craves, and it is nice to see him get a taste of that in this particular tale. 

But what matters most, is that after all this time… we can finally indulge in Alex’s adventures once again and bask in the wonder of a series that dares to be a different kind of crime drama. One that knows exactly how to balance grit and wit and action and adventure as well, and we would be remiss to not point out that everything in this story still works and clicks together well, thanks to a whip smart script written by Dean Devlin and Gary Rosen, and it really is quite delightful to be re-introduced to this magical world. One where good people consistently work together to do wonderful things as they try to make the world a better place, and the rebroadcast of this series could not have been timed more perfectly. Since we could all use the pick me up that this show still provides us with during these uncertain times, and it should be interesting to see what other nuances and surprises await us in the weeks to come, as we return to the island of Cebu. Until next time.  

‘Almost Paradise’ is available to stream for free (with ads), right now, on IMDbTV.

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