‘Almost Paradise’ Rewatch: The Power of Kindness

Written by John Edward Betancourt

How ‘Lone Wolf’ Reminds Us to Offer Kindness to Anyone in Need

‘You know the moments that I felt, truly alone out there, having that song in my ear was… it was like somebody was there with me. It made me feel like somebody knew what I was going through.’
- Alex Walker

​It is definitely safe to say, that sometimes life can be unbearable. Simply because our troubles can overwhelm us, to the point where we feel isolated and anxious and eager to outright escape what’s going on so we can have a minute to breathe. But a great deal of us understands the fact, that escape just isn’t possible. Since our problems are always waiting for us and have to be faced and resolved if we truly want them to go away and that’s why we all take a moment to collect ourselves, before facing our problems head on in an incredibly bold and dynamic manner, or with a little help from our lovely friends if need be.
 
But sadly, that isn’t the case for everyone. Because some people don’t have a support network to lift them up in times of trouble, nor do they believe they can conquer their problems in the slightest. And these are the folks that we run into from time to time, that we worry about after meeting them, since we know deep down, they need a helping hand or just some kind words. But folks often hesitate to do that, in an effort to not offend or overstep bounds. But the fact of the matter is, sometimes a little kindness goes a long way, and if we feel someone is in need of it, we should supply them with it. Since we never know what it will do for someone in need, and really, this is top of mind today, simply because this magnificent concept is at the core of the next episode of Almost Paradise.
 
Which is fascinating to say the least, since at first glance this is a story that appears to be grounded in the fact that our heroes and celebrities are everyday people at their core, and deal with tough stuff like we do. Since ‘Lone Wolf’ really does put some common woes and fears on display, in regard to Alex Walker’s country music hero, August Crowe. But when you settle in to watch this episode a second time, it becomes inherently clear that August really is a man in crisis and the stuff that he does in this story is horrendously self-destructive and scary to say the least. Which speaks to the fact that he is hurting badly and has zero direction in life or anyone to rely upon or guide him through his worries and his pain, and that’s what makes Alex’s actions in this tale so incredibly uplifting.
 
Because rather than judge or lament the fact that his hero is not at all what he expected him to be, Alex instead opens his heart to August and is there for him in a serious time of need. And he doesn’t expect anything in return, nor does he do this for his ego… he simply does it because it is the right thing to do and watching August open up and grow because someone is finally listening and offering a helping hand, hammers home the message present in this particular tale. In that, we are all in this this together and our experiences sometimes aren’t as different as we think they are. And if we take a little time to reach out to someone in need and let them know they aren’t alone in their plight, then we might give them everything they need to suddenly find their way into the light.
 
Which is a supremely powerful message to find within the framework of a crime drama, but it is there, and it really does give the viewer pause. Because it really teaches the viewer that we can all make a difference in this world by way of a little kindness, and that if perhaps we all made an effort to do this collectively, that perhaps our world would change and well, that makes this a special episode for certain. One that speaks to the fact that this series has some incredible depth to it, and it was just a delight to enjoy that wonderful message during this particular rewatch and it just goes to show that this series really is in a class of its own. And now that this wonderfully insightful journey has come to a close, the good news is we have another magnificent tale waiting in the wings for us to revisit. One that just so happens to explore the power of unity. Until next time.   

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