SPOILER ALERT: This article contains significant spoilers from “The Man Who Kept The Secrets,” the gripping Season 1 finale of “Paradise,” now available for streaming on Hulu. The highly anticipated conclusion of Season 1 aired on March 4, revealing the shocking identity of the killer: Trent.
You might be wondering, who is Trent? His name appeared infrequently throughout the season, but he was primarily recognized as the librarian. In Episode 7, Trent, portrayed by Ian Merrigan, had a pivotal conversation with Cal (played by James Marsden), guiding him on where to create a mixtape. It is revealed in the finale that before the catastrophe that changed their world, Trent served as a project manager involved in the construction of the bunker.
During his time on the project, Trent discovered the presence of iron arsenic sulfide, a hazardous mineral, at the work site and alerted Anders (played by Erik Svedberg-Zelman), the architect responsible for building Paradise. Unfortunately, this disclosure led to his termination. In a fit of rage, Trent threatened to report the unsafe conditions to authorities, but Anders cautioned him that a catastrophic event was imminent.
Trent's firing, coupled with Anders’ refusal to explain the dangers, ignited a deep-seated anger toward the leadership, particularly targeted at the president. This rage was evident when he attempted to assassinate Cal in the show’s premiere, shouting, “Everyone deserves to know!” Following his prison sentence in Colorado, Trent managed to escape as chaos unfolded across the country.
After his escape, Trent impersonated an officer and encountered a couple, Eli and Margaret Davis, who believed they had secured a place in Paradise. In a chilling twist, he killed them and assumed their identities, securing entry into the bunker alongside a woman he met along the way, who was a server at the diner.
As Trent acclimated to life in Paradise, he developed a misguided sense of entitlement to survive. However, his past came back to haunt him when he encountered Cal in the library. According to show creator Dan Fogelman, the decision to make the librarian the killer was intentional from the start. He stated, “We knew that who the killer was was going to be a big question on everyone’s minds.” He wanted the reveal to intertwine with the overarching themes of the bunker’s construction and the social hierarchies of who was chosen to survive.
Throughout the season, subtle hints foreshadowed Trent’s true identity. In Episode 6, for instance, Cal’s son visits the library, where Trent attempts to share insights about the bunker’s construction, yet Jeremy dismisses him. Moreover, Episode 4 features a significant flashback with Xavier, showcasing the chaos surrounding the bunker’s initial entry, with Trent lurking in the background during a critical moment.
Ultimately, Trent’s journey in the bunker comes to a tragic end. After confessing to Xavier (played by Sterling K. Brown), he flees, leading to a dramatic chase that culminates in Trent leaping to his death, declaring Paradise a “gravesite.” In a surprising turn of events, Jane (played by Nicole Brydon Bloom) saves Xavier’s life after wounding Sinatra (played by Julianne Nicholson).
Xavier’s exit from Paradise sets the stage for new adventures as he seeks to locate his wife and explore the outside world. Brown has hinted at a shift in tone for Season 2, emphasizing its potential to blend elements of drama and science fiction. He remarked, “If ‘Lost’ and ‘The Wire’ had a baby, it would be ‘Paradise.’”
Fogelman teased that Season 2 will delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding Xavier’s wife and the enigmatic outside world. He assures fans that while new cast members will join the story, beloved characters like Cal will return, although their roles may surprise viewers. “It’s definitely not going to be the last we’ve seen of Marsden’s Cal,” Fogelman confirmed.
As the narrative unfolds, Fogelman promises a larger, compelling storyline that will reveal more about the world beyond Paradise. “This first season is very much the Easter eggs for a much bigger story that we’re planning on telling,” he stated, hinting at a thrilling three-season arc that lies ahead for fans of the show.
