Casi el Paraíso (Almost Paradise) (2020–)
Synopsis
In Casi el Paraíso, former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Alex Walker struggles with local crimes on the Philippine island where he wants to retire. Almost Paradise is an interesting fiction action series that surely caught audiences’ attention.
Alex’s body needs healing after overstress from high blood pressure, so he decides to retire, but it means he’ll have to deal with the frustrations of problems-solving, remaining sane, and wanting a lezart lifestyle. The plot is soaked in humor, action, sentiments all of which allow for a novel twist to the audience within the otherwise mundane crime drama.
Awards & Wins
Almost Paradise doesn’t save face when the major awards are concerned as the TV series hasn’t managed to earn any major award prestige, although it did gain popularity due to its interesting story and exotic locations. However, its blend of international audience appeal and being one of the first American series that was fully filmed around the Philippines featuring Filipino talent also paid its dividends.
Cast & Crew
- Creator: Dean Devlin who has credits of Leverage and The Librarians
- Main Cast:
- Christian Kane as Alex Walker: A once-deeply disillusioned DEA agent whose past is still haunting him.
- Samantha Richelle as Detective Kai Mendoza : Determined and principled local police officer.
- Art Acuña as Ernesto Alamares: A weathered local policeman with a sharp and cynical view of life.
- Nonie Buencamino as Mayor Aguilar : The powerful and often contradictory representative of the island.
The series presents actors from different countries, but the Filipino culture and setting are represented better by the actors specifically acting from the Philippines.
IMDb Ratings
- IMDb Score: 7.6/10 (given by registered users only)
This good rating affirms the right reasons of the decision, especially for people who enjoy a good drama with action, humor and strong character development.
Personal Insights
Almost Paradise is about Christian Kane and how he plays the tragic and flawed character of Alex Walker which is somehow a very real character. His dynamic with the supporting cast especially Samantha Richelle makes the series both serious and humorous at the same time. The beautiful scenery of the Philippines complements the astonishing cinematography of the show while progressing its story.
What distinguishes the series is its striving for realness in portraying Filipino culture and the involvement of local artists. This is an interesting shift from Western-centered stories to a more well-rounded integration in popular culture.
Cultural Significance
And as the first American television series shot in its entirety in the Philippines, Almost Paradise has a new purpose as a tool towards Southeast Asian presence in international media. It features Filipino cultures, qualities of its geography, society, and politics, expanding their reach. It gives pride and prominence to the Filipinos themselves and international watchers, appreciation of a rich and diverse culture.
To those who love procedural dramas with some heart and humor in them, Almost Paradise would be a wonderful treat as it features exciting action and functional character development in the beautiful backdrop of almost everywhere.