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By Hope Sloop
Published Feb. 27, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET
It’s like the gods themselves heard my pleas to make Paradise a perfect show by just including some more sexy scenes. Season 2 of Hulu’s thriller drama is off to a smoking start.
Don’t get me wrong, Season 1 did its part with that steamy (pun intended) shower scene between Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) and Dr. Torabi (Sarah Shahi), but I felt completely emotionally detached from it. Truth be told, I was more interested in things ending abruptly as Shahi’s character leans in to Xavier’s ear and whispers, “I have a message from the president.”
That’s why, when I sat down to watch Paradise Season 2, I was hopeful that we would see more sex and more sultry moments, especially the kind that serve two purposes. Enter Annie (Shailene Woodley) and Link (Thomas Doherty).
While the first episode of Season 2, “Graceland,” may feel at first like a confusing side story with unclear implications on the greater narrative, it quickly becomes clear that these two survivors are star-crossed and DTF like it’s the end of the world…because it is.
After some serious foreplay and flirtation between Graceland’s lone resident of the apocalypse (Woodley) and an intruder who brought his entourage to the gates of Elvis’ Memphis estate, things finally begin to heat up between them as Link prepares to ride out with his crew, giving them one final night together.
Annie’s tour of Graceland ends with the two characters sectioned off from the rest of the group, who have given them the space they need to enjoy their last bit of time together, wink wink, nudge nudge. Some initial awkwardness and tears ultimately lead to an entrancing and enticing hookup set to a haunting cover of “Unchained Melody” by She & Him.
Photo: HuluDuring the scene, Annie and Link manage to quickly overcome the back-into-the-sac jitters and get down and dirty to make some hunka hunka burning love. How many Elvis Presley references can we sneak into this story? The limit does not exist.
What starts out as an awkward will-they-won’t-they moment turns into a beautiful moment that all starts with a hilarious misunderstanding. After asking her what her favorite Elvis song is and a brief pause in conversation, Annie tells Link “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” which his 25-year-old self does not understand is an Elvis song. As he responds in the affirmative, the two begin to kiss and caress each other before the scene cuts to a shot of them in another room.
Slowly but surely, Annie and Link peel off each other’s clothes and take to one of Graceland’s bedrooms, laying down, kissing, and holding each other for the first time and possibly the last. They laugh, cry, and show plenty of skin all while engaging in a sensual moment that leads to a major twist at the end of the episode.
Photo: HuluThe sexy romp is only made hotter and more meaningful as, come next morning, Annie locks herself in a room and sobs when Link attempts to get her to come with his crew. She is stuck in time and holding onto this moment they shared together. Oh, and that leads to the revelation near the end that their one magical evening led to a surprise pregnancy that causes her to decide she needs to finally leave Graceland to try and find Link.
It’s sex with a purpose and it’s hot and incredible television.
The first three episodes of Paradise Season 2 are now streaming. New episodes debut on Hulu Mondays.
If you’re new to Hulu, you can get started with a 30-day free trial on the streamer’s basic (with ads) plan. After the trial period, you’ll pay $10.99/month. If you want to upgrade to Hulu ad-free, it costs $18.99/month.
If you want to stream even more and save a few bucks a month while you’re at it, we recommend subscribing to one of the Disney+ Bundles, all of which include Hulu. These bundles start at $12.99/month for ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu and goes up to $32.99/month for Disney+, Hulu, and Max, all ad-free.
English (US)