‘Almost Paradise’ Rewatch: The Straight and Narrow

Written by John Edward Betancourt

How ‘Its Personal’ Puts Alex and Ernesto’s Moral Code on Display

‘Where were you, man? We could’ve used you here.’

‘I was just kicking it.’
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-Alex Walker and Ernesto Alamares

When one thinks of the heroes that populate the world of the crime drama, a pretty specific image comes to mind. In that, the hero in question is going to be a supremely flawed individual. One that has seen some rough things during their time fighting crime, and they tend to be supremely good at their job simply because they have learned to operate within the grey areas of life that few of us understand. And because they embrace elements of darkness and know what it is capable of, they become gatekeepers and forces for good, the kind that sacrifice their mental health and overall well-being to make the world a better place. Which is a grim way to put together a hero, but it works, and we eat it up often.
 
But while this bleak portrayal of a hero has become the norm for this particular genre, it does leave one to wonder, if by chance it is possible to put forth a crime drama in modern times, that features a genuinely good human being. One that is driven to stop criminals from harming others… simply because their strong understanding of what’s right and what’s wrong compels them to be a champion for good and as it turns out, Almost Paradise is a series that worked had to answer that question with a resounding yes. Because Alex Walker and all of his friends have an incredible moral core that guides them above all things, and just how deep that goes and how hard it drives them is on full display in the next episode of this dynamic series.
 
Which is interesting, since one would think that the series premiere would have established this. But its focus on Alex’s conflict over his past and his future moved such examinations to 'It's Personal', and it’s a wonderful thing that the series opted to shift said examination to the second episode. Simply because that allowed for a detailed character study to take place, one that informs us that good deeds provide Alex with calm and purpose and that he will fight hard to ensure that good prevails above all else. The latter of which is expressed in a brilliant manner during the episode’s finale, when Alex is faced with the horrible fact that he’s dealing with sex traffickers. And really, it is wonderful to know by the end of this tale that we are dealing with a genuinely great man, one that truly believes that the world can be a better place and that he can do more, to make that a reality.
 
But while it is wonderful to know that Alex is about a pure a soul as they come, and that this series was going to make a grand effort to find a way to keep its storytelling as positive as possible, we would be remiss to not point out that Ernesto’s journey in this story also manages to inform the audience that he is a kindred spirit to Alex. At least when it comes to a strong moral center. Because he really struggles over the fact that a common, opportunistic thug is remorseless about hurting an innocent man that was trying to make his way in the world, to the point where he is ready to teach this guy a powerful lesson in morality and humility before bringing him in. But not to satisfy his ego or to engender fear. No, instead, Ernesto does all of this, simply to teach the thug's cohorts that crime doesn't pay, and to right a wrong, and that definitely helps to establish exactly what Ernesto stands for.

If anything, a rewatch of this particular tale, really helps the viewer to understand a few key things. In that, Dean Devlin and Gary Rosen and everyone involved with the series, really wanted to take their time in growing the characters while entertaining the audience and also that, they were eager to create a crime story, unlike any other. One that bucked all the negative trends in the genre and would lift the audience up when they tuned in, and they accomplished that mission for certain. Because this episode achieves all those goals in a dynamic manner and seeing all of these wonderful nuances on display in this particular tale, definitely leaves this reviewer eager to continue this second journey through Cebu. So that we can properly examine and enjoy, everything that this incredibly special series has to offer.
 
‘Almost Paradise’ is available to stream for free (with ads), right now, on IMDbTV.

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