Paradise Episode 7: The Most Heart-Wrenching TV Moment of 2025
Hulu’s new hit show Paradise is usually funny, emotional and full of suspense. Dan Fogelman’s series has a great mix of family tension, action and intrigue. Sterling K. Brown stars as an honest Secret Service agent trying to solve the mystery of the President’s (James Marsden) assassination.
But as you reach the seventh episode, “The Day“, everything changes. It proves to be the most heart-wrenching TV episode of 2025 so far! While the first six episodes were entertaining, this episode will shake you to the core and take you on a storm of emotions almost the entire time.
The Scary Truth Inside the White House
In this episode, the disaster is only glimpsed through news footage and calls, but the real shock comes when we see the events inside the White House in almost real time. The main character, Agent Xavier Collins (Brown), was protecting President Cal Bradford (Marsden), but suddenly everything changes. The intrigue and tension reach a peak when Xavier sees the President’s lifeless body on the floor of his bedroom.
This episode is shocking, emotional and intense, laying the groundwork for the season finale and putting the audience into deep emotional turmoil. If you haven’t seen Paradise, this episode will definitely make you want to watch it!
Paradise Episode 7: The Most Shocking Twist in the Apocalypse Drama
If you thought Paradise was just an emotional drama so far, then Episode 7, “The Day”, will blow your mind! This is not just the story of a presidential assassination, but also an in-depth study of an epic climate disaster and its consequences. In this episode, the emotions and suspense change so quickly that viewers will not be able to move from their seats. This takes the story of Paradise to a new, deep and emotional level.
From the White House to an underground “paradise”
Cal Bradford, who was officially the President of the United States even when he died, was leading the last community of 25,000 people who survived after a devastating climate catastrophe. These people are living in a fake suburban world called “Paradise” built under a mountain in Colorado. This secret project was prepared by billionaire Samantha Redmond (Julianne Nicholson) to avoid the coming climate disaster. She had personal reasons behind making this whole plan, which later prove to be even more shocking. Paradise is not just a thriller, but it deeply explores human nature and the battle for survival.
The beginning of the apocalypse: Hollywood-style devastation! In episode 7, we get a closer look at the horrifying devastation. Due to global warming, a volcano erupts in Antarctica, causing huge sheets of ice to melt and turn into a tsunami hundreds of feet high. The cataclysm devastates the entire world, a disaster that feels more cinematic and emotional than any post-apocalyptic show before. During the disaster, we see how power, science, and human greed brought this destruction closer. The show confronts us with a terrifying truth—if humans don’t change, this may not be fiction, but the reality of the future.
Explosion of tragedy, thrills, and emotions
In the first few episodes of the show, we are told about the “Versailles Protocol”—a secret plan designed to protect the President and members of the White House in case of disaster. But Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) had no idea of the true magnitude of the situation. Amidst his light-hearted conversations with President Bradford, the approaching destruction can already be felt, but no one fully understands the gravity of it—until it’s too late. The episode puts the audience in a unique dilemma—did the people in power know all this all along? And if yes, did they do anything to stop it?
A show that will leave you stunned!
This episode of Paradise is full of shocks, emotions, and horrifying truths. It’s not just a science-fiction, but also a harsh reality of climate change. The series completely grips the audience with its thrills, drama, and depth, and this episode definitely proves to be the biggest television moment of the year! As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Paradise is not just entertainment, but also a warning—a warning that ignoring it would be our biggest mistake.
Double attack of emotional and physical disaster!
This episode of Paradise doesn’t just tell the story of a disaster, it also leaves the audience emotionally shaken. There are hints from the beginning that this will not only be a climate disaster, but also a painful personal tragedy.
We already know that Xavier’s wife is no longer in this world, and he is raising his two children alone. Meanwhile, President Cal Bradford has been drinking every night, and the reason for this is a terrible incident that happened the day he left the White House. Given the pace of the story so far, this episode is going to be an emotional rollercoaster that will leave viewers physically and mentally exhausted.
Everything Goes Wrong!
From the very beginning of the episode, things start to quickly spiral out of control. While the evacuation was initially thought to be a well-planned process, the devastating tsunami that hits Australia ruins all plans.
We see Cal Bradford struggle with lying to his people. Eventually, he decides to tell the world the truth about the disaster in one last broadcast. He advises everyone to spend their last moments with their loved ones, as the destruction is unstoppable.
Crampage in the White House!
The situation gets worse when the people trapped inside the White House realize that the President and his staff are fleeing from them. Those who understand this truth are filled with anger and despair. Some try to escape, but the Secret Service opens fire to stop them.**
Javier Breaks Down – An Emotional Moment!
On the other hand, Javier’s wife was out of town, and his frantic phone calls were not answered. Watching the usually calm Javier break down is a heartbreaking moment.
Eventually, the President and senior military officials try to get her onto one of the planes headed to Colorado. But her struggle to avoid telling her children about their mother, and then her breaking down on the airport runway (tarmac), is a scene that will break viewers’ hearts.
An episode that will shake you to your core!
This episode makes Paradise much deeper than just a science-fiction show. It’s not just a disaster thriller, but also a study of human emotions. Ultimately, the show reminds us that true catastrophe can happen not just outside, but inside us.
Xavier’s Struggle: The Pain of Losing a Loved One!
Not only is Xavier unable to get his wife out in time, but he tells the same painful lie to the President’s longtime secretary. Unfortunately, she was not on the list of those to be rescued. When she realizes that her survival is now impossible, her last request is that her special needs son be saved.
Right before the President is rescued, this becomes a heartbreaking moment. She asks him for help:
“Mr. President, my sister is here with Edward, they’re at the gate. So I’ll go get her.”
She turns to go get her son… but the truth is that she will never be able to go with him. And it’s a level of betrayal that feels more terrifying and painful than any tsunami scene of destruction.
Creepy Footage: A glimpse of the destruction!
We get another look at this devastation through a news report from Jakarta. The reporter is broadcasting live from the city’s tallest building, pretending he’s safe—but the reality is far different.
The tsunami waves approach quickly, and the disorganized, terrifying sound of the crash will have you squirming in your seat. Just when the reporter realizes they’re about to be swallowed by the waves, the broadcast suddenly cuts off. The scene changes to a silent newsroom, where reporters stand in shock. Outside the Oval Office, White House staff, in tears, witness the destruction for the first time—a devastation that no one can escape.
President Bradford’s helplessness: A historic performance!
Marsden’s performance as President Bradford feels like the role of a lifetime. At first, he comes across as a strong leader, even choosing a blue tie over his yellow one because it looks more calming. But as the situation worsens, his confidence begins to crumble.
As he leaves everyone to die, his eyes reflect the same sorrow that a leader feels when he fails to save everyone.
A scene that will shake you to the core!
This episode features many classic cinematic moments, such as when President Bradford asks the White House janitor why he is still cleaning while the world is being destroyed. But this brief dialogue brings out his helplessness and real pain.
Marsden’s character feels the deep pain of his failure all the time, knowing that he could have saved more people—but he didn’t. And that feeling makes this episode even more heartbreaking.
“The Day”: A heartbreaking but necessary story
Is “The Day” a cleverly crafted episodic masterpiece? Absolutely. But its purpose isn’t just to tell a story, but to expose a reality we often ignore—the climate emergency. This problem is coming at us so slowly that we think it won’t happen in our lifetimes, when the truth is quite the opposite.
This episode’s real-time structure, superb performances, strong direction and constantly rising tension make this an unforgettable experience. After watching it, it’s impossible to escape the feeling that this could be a possible future for Earth—a future that could become not just a fantasy, but a terrifying reality.
Season Finale: Will Paradise Go Back to Its Old Days?
In next week’s season finale, Paradise may return to the fun, pulp-style storytelling of its first six episodes. But for this one hour, Hulu’s sci-fi drama gives us a glimpse into the last days of human civilization—a glimpse that leaves us in deep despair.
Will Season 2 be even more harrowing?
Now that Season 2 has been officially announced, there’s both hope and fear that the Paradise team will go in search of even more emotional and important stories.
It’s a heavy experience, but if you can handle it, it’s also an essential show.