Stars Julianne Nicholson, who portrays Sinatra, and Thomas Doherty, who plays Dylan (formerly Link), have opened up about the perplexing conclusion of Paradise Season 2. The co-stars discussed the finale with The Hollywood Reporter, noting how the AI twist both concludes one narrative arc and sets up mysteries for the potential third season.

Unraveling the Quantum Finale

The season two finale delivered a major revelation: the entity known as “Alex” is actually a quantum computer designed to manipulate time. This discovery deeply impacts Sinatra’s journey when she encounters Doherty’s character.

Sinatra's Belief and Quantum Physics

Sinatra believes that Link/Dylan is the reincarnation of her son who passed away in childhood. She views his existence as definitive proof that Alex is functional. Nicholson admitted the complexity of the plot, joking, “You have to believe in the story — and then go get your PhD in quantum physics and it will all make sense.”

However, Nicholson confirmed her anchor point for the performance: “Samantha believes that Link/Dylan is her son, so that’s what I had to hold onto.”

Behind the Scenes of Casting and Character Development

The physical resemblance between Nicholson and Doherty has been noted by audiences, leading to questions about their casting process. Nicholson confirmed that creator Dan Fogelman handled the casting entirely, stating they did not have a chemistry read beforehand.

Knowledge of the Plot Trajectory

Nicholson revealed she was kept somewhat in the dark initially regarding Sinatra’s ultimate fate. She did not learn about Sinatra's self-sacrifice until production began on season two. She only gained clarity on the Link/Dylan connection a few episodes into filming.

Doherty, on the other hand, received more directional guidance from Fogelman early on. “He gave me a general idea of the direction that it was heading, which is amazing and quite rare in television,” Doherty stated.

Doherty also described the speed of his casting process. After auditioning, he flew to L.A. to meet producers, got the job on a Thursday, and had moved to the city by Monday, beginning fittings shortly thereafter.

Sinatra's Emotional Farewell and Future Hopes

In her final moments, Sinatra tasks Xavier (Sterling K. Brown) with finding Alex and saving the world. Nicholson shared the emotional weight of saying goodbye to Sinatra after two seasons, calling the character’s end “genuinely moving.”

Nicholson detailed how Fogelman helped her find the motivation for her final scene with Xavier. He reminded her that while she was leaving, her husband and daughter would remain, making her plea for help essential for their future.

Regarding the hope Sinatra expressed about seeing Dylan again, Nicholson suggested this relates to the show’s theme of simultaneous timelines. “It’s back to this idea of different timelines happening at the same time, and the possibilities that opens up,” she explained, adding that the writers needed to provide hope and a focus on love.

Bigger Picture Themes

Nicholson hopes viewers draw parallels between Season One’s focus on climate issues and Season Two’s exploration of AI. She views both as urgent “wake-up calls” demanding attention.

She noted the terror surrounding AI and the current political climate, which fosters apathy because people do not know what to trust. Nicholson concluded that this uncertainty forces individuals to “turn inward and return to yourself, and trust yourself and your gut.”