Paradise Season 2 sheds light on the high-stakes situations that the characters are now going to face. From the beginning of this series, there has been a layer of urgency and danger that has kept on progressing as the series continues. In the second season of Paradise, Xavier’s dedication to meet with his wife, Teri, eventually leads him to come across Gary.
Through Gary, he is able to understand that Teri was with him, but she is now not in a suitable position. However, Gary’s words are not fully true, as he has some dark secrets buried deep within. Writer Katie French, while discussing Gary’s move in Episode 5 of Paradise Season 2, dives deep into the even more dangerous turn that the series is going to take in the upcoming episodes.
Paradise writer Katie French explains Gary’s shocking move in Season 2’s Episode 5
Much of Gary’s backstory is brought to life in episode 5 of Paradise Season 2, where it is depicted that Gary’s life before the apocalypse and after it changed drastically. Katie French adds while discussing Gary’s actions, saying that “everything is more dangerous.”
She also points out Gary’s “unpredictable” nature. Prior to the doomsday event, Gary was alone. He had no one to share the experiences of his life with. However, after the doomsday event, his life began to change. Though he came across Ennis online, they finally met in person after The Day arrived. The two of them soon form a deep bond, which grows over time.
They even formed a team, where Teri was also included, as they stayed inside the post office during the dangerous times. Though Teri wanted to have a friendly relationship with Gary, it was not the same for him. He wanted to be more than just friends with Teri. Though this truth was hidden by Gary when Xavier arrived, asking him about Teri.
Gary not only lies about his dynamic with Teri but also tells him that Teri was kidnapped. In reality, Teri chose to leave on her own accord, and Gary, despite his tries, was not able to stop her. Ennis and Gary were best friends.
However, when Ennis tried to make Gary understand about Teri’s feelings and that she wanted to leave, Gary killed him by shooting him with a gun. This gun is also a symbolic presence in this episode of Paradise Season 2, as this is the exact same gun that Ennis originally brought inside the bunker despite Gary’s urge to keep the bunker gun-free.
Katie French opens up about the reason the original gun that Ennis brought inside the bunker was chosen to be the gun that Gary uses to kill him in this episode of Paradise. She indicates that the goal was “to play against” the kind of “proper mindset” that the character comes with.
Both Gary and Ennis had a different approach towards life before The Day, which takes a complete turn afterwards. Hence, the gun is “an externalization”, especially that of the “kind of fear” Gary comes with about himself. Though he is a “big guy”, he is wants to “minimize himself” in every aspect, especially “physically” and “emotionally”. He also wants to “take up less space”.
A significant question that arises in the minds of the viewers is the aspect of Gary’s behavior towards Xavier after his arrival. Though Gary chose to kill Ennis because of his emotions for Teri, he did not attack Xavier after he found him.
Katie French also dives into this aspect of the storyline, adding that Gary is aware that there is only one way he could get Teri back, which is by “teaming” up with Xavier. To keep Teri by his side, Gary did everything. However, he remained unsuccessful. Hence, he understands that there is a possibility that Xavier might be able to bring Teri back.
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Edited by KOUSHIKI ROY