‘Almost Paradise’ Rewatch: The Island Knight

Written by John Edward Betancourt

How ‘Unbecalming’ Further Cements Alex Walker’s Standing as a Genuine Hero

‘You have no idea what you’ve done. No one can put me away. And when I get free, you’re a dead man.’

‘Man, if I had a nickel for every time, I heard that line, huh?’
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- El Diablo and Alex Walker

It wasn’t that long ago, that we took a moment to discuss exactly what goes into a hero’s journey in storytelling. Because the men and women that we root for on either the small or silver screen, truly have to earn their status as a champion of the people and really, their journey all boils down to three key steps. The first, is that they have find a cause to fight for. The second, involves them becoming larger than life, if you will. By doing something incredibly heroic and brave so that others look up to them and admire them. And finally, they have to face their demons or their past so that they will never know fear again.
 
Now this is a journey that can happen at just about any pace. Since the structure of the story will dictate how and when our hero crosses those proverbial thresholds, and in the case of Almost Paradise, thus far the show is moving Alex Walker’s journey toward heroism at a fairly brisk pace. After all, ‘Reef Eel Soup for the Soul’ allowed for step one to take place since Alex came out of that episode, fully embracing the need to use his skill set to be a hybrid vigilante for the good people of Cebu. Since he can cross lines that the police can’t, in order to bring the bad guys to justice. And after having a little fun with Jerry Westwood, the story opted to return to this all-important journey and have Alex take part in the next step. Which gives ‘Unbecalming’ new gravity and depth.
 
Because initially, this reviewer praised this particular episode for being an action-packed rollercoaster ride. One that not only showed off Alex’s skill set as a soldier, but also took the time to pay homage to movies like Die Hard, since Alex’s journey in this story somewhat mirrored that of John McClane. But now that we know where the overall story is headed, you begin to see that next step in Alex's journey is hidden beneath the action and adventure and laughs and really… what allows for this second step to take place, is a supremely brave decision on Alex’s part. For he knows full well that El Diablo will do horrible things to his friends and the innocent people still in the station, unless someone provides a distraction and that seemingly simple choice on his part, leads to so much more.
 
For Alex truly becomes a beacon of hope in this particular part of the story. For his friends don't have a lot of hope that they will escape this harrowing situation in the slightest. But the instant they know Alex is working to fight El Diablo and his men, and save them, their attitude immediately changes. Because they know Alex will do whatever it takes to bring the bad guy to justice, and that allows for Kai and everyone else to trust him and follow his lead when it comes defeating El Diablo, and that’s just awesome when all is said and done. Simply because that is the second step to heroism to a tee, and Alex embraces it in a smooth and organic manner, and what’s equally as amazing, is that Alex also becomes something of a legend in his tale.
 
Because undoubtedly, word of his deeds would start to spread after saving an entire police station from a well-connected and high-powered and super rich thug. Which means that the people of Cebu now know that a genuine badass is in their midst, one that will run toward the danger in a fearless and fierce manner to protect the innocent from great harm… and that’s just too cool. Because it makes Alex a sort of island Batman. The Island Knight, if you will, and that really does make this one uplifting tale for certain. Because that’s the kind of stuff that just sends your spirits soaring, and it will be wonderful to see how this second step toward heroism helps Alex Walker to grow in the weeks to come… as he inches closer to becoming a genuine hero. Until next time.  

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

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