Hulu’s Paradise Episode 1 recap: What happened to President Cal?

In Episode 1 of Hulu's new show, Paradise, President Cal Bradford, played by James Marsden, is found dead under mysterious circumstances. The president's trusted head of security, Xavier Collins, walks into his room and discovers the body. The episode, titled Wildcat is Down, then shows Xavier (Sterling K. Brown) becoming the prime suspect.

Paradise aired its first episode on January 26, 2025 in the US. The show comes with high-stakes drama and involves an investigation around a murder mystery.

Here is the full recap of Episode 1 and what happened to President Cal Bradford.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the series premiere of Hulu’s 'Paradise'

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What happened to President Cal in Paradise Episode 1?

The episode opens with Xavier Collins going for his regular jog and stopping at President Cal Bradford's residence. Billy, who was on night duty for the President, discusses his observations from the night before over a phone call with Xavier, but nothing unusual appears to have happened.

When Xavier gets no reply from the president after knocking at his door for a while, he enters the house. He finds President Bradford lying on the floor in a pool of blood. On investigating, he discovers that the murderer has stolen something from the president's safe.

Cal Bradford recently lost the election, as the show reveals, which means he will have to leave office soon. Billy, who was on duty to surveil Bradford's residence, slept for an hour and a half. Exactly at the time, the cameras were disabled and the incident happened. Xavier locked up the house for half an hour to gauge the situation, but he panics on realizing that he is the last person who saw Cal Bradford alive, and this makes him the prime suspect.

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The murder didn't happen in the White House but in a place named Paradise

It is revealed that President Cal Bradford's murder happened in a community place called Paradise, and not in the White House, Washington D.C. The place exists underground in the middle of a mountain, and is designed as a haven for the wealthy and powerful after apocalyptic events. It has a high-tech infrastructure and a controlled environment.

When the story takes off, Cal Bradford has already served two terms at the Oval Office. The story unfolds in a non-linear manner with flashbacks showing Bradford and Xavier's past. Xavier says that he can forgive Cal only when he can sleep well. What happened between Xavier and Cal Bradford?

The question is answered through flashback. The flashback starts with Xavier taking a bullet for Bradford and saving his life. Later in the story, their bond deteriorates as Xavier says Bradford is responsible for his wife's death.

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How does Episode 1 of Paradise end?

Another flashback at the end of the episode shows Cal Bradford and other officials confiding Xavier with a highly classified project after he risks his life for the president. The flashback also shows that the attacker is speaking of something that the world should know.

By the end, Xavier becomes entangled in the investigation. He finds out about a wealthy woman, Samantha Redmond. Later, he is shown to be at a session with a therapist, who seems to have her own agenda. The ending of Episode 1 also teased the fact that there might be more bunkers like Paradise City elsewhere in the world.