The Magellan Cross – The season 2 premiere of “Almost Paradise” starts right in with the action, as two Philippian thugs wreck Father Gabriel’s (Carlo Orosa) church in search of something. When the noise attracts the attention of the Father, the two goons immediately accuse the man of having found something and hiding it. They demand to know where it is. Taking the priest at knifepoint the goon’s incessant questioning unveils that they are looking for an artifact, “The Magellan Cross.” Although Father Gabriel claims the cross is a myth, he wrestles free of the goon’s grip and lunges for something amongst the wreckage. Acting on instinct alone to stop the father’s actions, the goon with his huge scythe-like blade inadvertently places it in the father’s sternum. The other man quickly admonishes his partner and points out that without the father there is no way to find the cross, which will only further incite Danelli. Acting out of fear, the two come up with the idea of covering their tracks by burning the down the church.

Cebu Airbase, Philippines – Doctor Sara Patel (Angeli Bayani) gives Alex Walker (Christian Kane) a clean bill of health, with reminders to stay vigilant or hypertension could return. Congratulating him on his progress, the doctor sneaks in a sly question about his love life. The quick-witted Alex tries to spin it back at her by asking if she’s flirting with him. As not only his doctor but dear friend, Patel views intimacy as stabilizing influence. Something that Alex could use much more of in her “expert” opinion. Despite Alex’s sunny disposition, he becomes flustered when the doctor reminds him that he’s nearing the end of the government disability program. Alex finds himself regrettably admitting that he’s never even considered his life outside the program. Patel throws out suggestions of returning to the States or settling down in the Philippines permanently.

 

 

Paradise Gift Shop – At his private little slice of paradise, Alex attempts to take the doctor’s advice under the watchful eyes of Kai Mendoza (Samantha Richelle) and Rita Cordero (Sophia Reola). Swiping right on every headshot, Alex later learns that his knowledge of the modern dating world is limited at best. After some back and forth with the two ladies, he also learns the hard truth of the indelibility of the dating app he was using. Luckily, the sudden arrival of Ernesto Alamares (Arthur Acuna) eliminates any further potential embarrassment. Alex commends the officers for volunteering with the church cleanup but tries to use a dating app response as an excuse. His reprieve is only short-lived when he learns that the response is notifying him that the female responder has blocked him. Kai confiscates the phone when she learns that he inappropriately used the eggplant emoji.

The Sacred Heart Church –With no excuses, Alex finds himself joining the LEOs at the still-smoldering church. The church is revealed to be much more than a church. Sacred Heart was a true cornerstone of the community with outreach and rehab programs. A true symbol of the community went up in flames. If that wasn’t enough to inspire Alex to question what type of person would burn such a great place, the sight of a weeping Father Gabriel’s mother does it. Unfortunately, the funeral isn’t any less dismal. During the event, Alex learns about the beautiful island heiress, Ann Villegas (Max Collins), with a heart of gold. She’s not only a knockout, but she appears to genuinely appear to be touched by Gabriel’s mother’s woes. Father Rodrigo (Reece Ritchie) delivers a beautiful eulogy and Ernesto can’t help but find himself thanking the man for his kind words. Both Kai and Ernesto also become intrigued when, in passing, the man mentions Gabriel’s reaching out to him for help with a project.

Later that day amidst the cleanup efforts, Kai’s inquisitive nature leads the team to discover that Rodgrigo was specifically brought on to assist with Gabriel’s “Magellan Cross” project. It’s the fabled cross that Ferdinand Magellan, clasped in his dying hands as Lapulapu watched him take his final breaths. With Lapulapu being chief of the island at the time of the Spanish raid and successfully fighting off the invasion, he became Filipino’s first recognized hero. The Spanish would later conquer the island but it wasn’t until 40 years later. That’s why the city is now named Lapulapu, making the artifact priceless. Overhearing all this, Alex suspects that’s he onto something when he discovers a firebox amongst the ravaged debris. Bolts cutters and an old lock later, reveal a vast collection of sorts, including the box that cases “The Magellan Cross.” The only problem is the box is empty. Kai’s suggestions of it being looted are shot down with Alex’s pointing out that they were the ones to breach the lock. It’s more likely that Father Gabriel removed the cross for safer keeping. Putting two and two together, it doesn’t take the team long to surmise that the fire was no mere candle accident.

Police Headquarters – Analyzing the crime scene photos, the team doesn’t expect to uncover much. The body is not only badly damaged, but it wasn’t treated as “evidence” because foul play was never suspected. However, looking closer, it doesn’t take Alex long to identify the knife wound and collect his reward from Kai. With the discovery made, Ike Ocampo (Nonie Buencamino) requests to see the team in his office, including Alex. It turns out National Intelligence has heard rumblings through the dark web that someone named, Oscar Danelli, has put a bounty on the vaunted cross. Alex immediately recognizes the name as an international trader of stolen antiquities. Being that no one has ever seen the man, he’s nearly as mythical as the cross itself. The bounty was not only raised to $500,000 but was issued two weeks ago. With no suspects and no leads, Chief Ocampo doesn’t know where to begin their search. Remembering that the church was auctioning items to cover the costs of restoration, Alex suggests spinning the tale of auctioning the cross. Although it’s a sound strategy, Alex wants no part as a civilian. That is until he learns that the auction is being hosted by Ann Villegas’ family.

Gabriel’s Mother’s House – Speaking with Gabriel’s mother Ernesto and Rodrigo learn that Gabriel had the cross authenticated by a local historian from the university. Rodrigo is hurt by the lady’s lack of conviction and offers to pray for her when professes the ill will she harbors for her son’s killers.

 

 

The Villegas Resort – Alex and Kai take up their post at the Villegas’ posh island resort. Sharing a bit of witty banter, Kai tells Alex that the only “undesirable” she spots is him. Trusting his people skills much more than modern dating technology, Alex is quick to approach Ann and offer some nice words about her family’s efforts toward helping the church and Father Gabriel. Ann sees it as the least they can go, but doesn’t give the man a chance to uncover any more information as she takes her place near the auctioneer (Shirley Reyes). Once the cross comes up, the price soars between two primary male bidders. That is until Ann Villegas steps in and offers the obscene amount of $500,000. Not doubling or even tripling the top bid, she has nearly quadrupled it. Tailing the lady to her home and breaching the perimeter, both Alex and Kai as shocked by Ann’s reaction to discovering the missing cross. Alex congratulates Kai on locating her first suspect.

University Of Mactan – Ernesto and Father Rodrigo find Professor Louis (Brian Sy) at the local university buried under a desk of research. The professor can’t help but admit he got a bit carried away. How could someone not with such a “Hollywoodesque” story? Learning that the Father was a common fixture with the school’s basketball team, Ernesto tasks the man with putting together a list of everyone he spoke to for his research.

Police Headquarters – Alex and Kai update the chief, who is extremely troubled to learn that the two have Ann listed as a suspect. The two biggest bidders before Ann stepped in and blew them out of the water have shady backgrounds but no outstanding warrants. The are also surveillance shots of the two goons from the church, but the team is yet to uncover anything interesting about the two. The chief proves not to be such a bumbling inept when he questions how Alex and Kai knew about Ann’s reaction to finding the empty cross box. Any way you look at it, Ann needs further investigating and Alex professes to be the man for the job. It’s a matter of getting in front of the lady.

The Hotel Club – At the Villegas’ hotel club, Alex learns that Ann is much more than just a pretty rich face, she has an amazing voice. Pulling up outside the club, Alex fights with Kai over wearing an earpiece, but it turns out to be a huge help. Ann clearly has no interest in Alex until Kai suggests he ask about the song she chose to sing. With further help from Kai, he claims to recognize the song as a Filipino love song, and Ann is instantly hooked. She even offers to buy the man an adult beverage. When asked why he is so interested in Filipino culture, Alex has to subtly remove her earpiece because Kai can’t stop insisting on steering the conversation back to Ann’s family. Doing so proves to be a success as he tells her that when he first arrived on the island he wasn’t in such a good place. It was the island, the people, and the amazing culture that saved his life.

Ann’s Bluff-Sided Home – Ann relates to Alex’s feeling that he has a debt to repay and invites him back to her home. On the beautiful bluff side home, taking in the view under the moonlight, Ann reveals that she had this house built in this specific location just to see the view every night. The view and talk of passion lead to a near romantic encounter when Alex notices the red sightline on Ann’s chest. Just in time too as the two goons from the church fire open fire. Glass shatter and wood splintering, Alex gets Ann to safety as they approach the now empty balcony. Making their way to the balcony Alex surprised them from the left and both men lose their weapons in the fray. As Alex subdues one with some fancy hand-to-hand, the other races to the pistol grabs it, and opens fire, forcing Alex to return to his earlier hiding place, and the two escape.

When the police show up, Ann plays dumb to everything until Alex crudely brings up the bounty and the Magellan cross. Isn’t this why she overbid at the auction? Ann claims that the only reason she knows about the cross is because of her grandfather. The man would later use his resources and money to take possession of the cross and store it in its rightful resting place at the church and not in some museum. That’s exactly what she plans to do with it and why she was so willing to overpay for it. She makes further claims of having all the necessary paperwork to prove her family as the rightful owners of the cross, which begs the question of why she would need to buy it back.

 

 

Police Headquarters – Reuniting at police headquarters the team devises a quick strategy as Alex identifies the two hombres he tangled with. The only problem is, the plan will require the assistance of Ann. She’s game with the condition that once they get the cross back, it will be returned to her. While Ernesto is suspicious, the chief doesn’t have a problem complying. The killers not only suspect that Ann has the cross, but they suspect she doesn’t know the true value of the item. This will make them subsequently believe that it will be easy to take from her, and that’s where Alex’s plan comes into play.

Setting up a press conference about increasing youth efforts within the city, Ann has graciously agreed to donate several items to the new exhibit at the City Museum. Joining the chief at the podium and taking over, Ann recalls the attack on her home last night. Claiming to not know what the attack was about or who the attackers were, she announces that she will be donating several items to the museum to prevent future atrocities. All the proceeds from the donated items will go to fund the city’s youth programs. It also happens that she will be donating the items that she recently acquired at the Sacred Heart fundraiser. The hook is fully baited when Ann announces that a truck will be coming by her home later this evening to collect the items. If all goes as planned, the exhibit will be open for viewing as early as next week.

Outside Ann’s Home – Kai and Alex gather in her car as the transport truck pulls away from Ann’s home with the supposed donation. The goons from the church fire receive the message that the truck is on the move, and this time, with all their reinforcements they don’t expect anything less than success. With their added numbers, it doesn’t take them long at all to box off the truck. They are, however, completely shocked when they raise the cargo area to find the truck empty and themselves blocked in by law enforcement officers.

 

 

The Sacred Heart Church – Having learned of a recent statue that Father had commissioned and all the time the man dedicated to the youth basketball program, Ernesto and Father Rodrigo get the idea to search the statue for the hidden cross. It proves successful. They are, however; also in for a surprise when Father Christo (Jaime Fabregas) shows up out of the blue and claims to have been assigned to this parish. Ernesto immediately recognizes that he’s been duped by Rodrigo, but it’s too late as the man is already drawing down on him with a loaded pistol. Surreptitiously turning on his belt radio, Ernesto transmits his conversation to Alex and Kai, who just happen to be in her patrol car near the radio. Rodrigo is revealed to be the elusive Oscar Danelli. Having successfully evaded cops at the earlier truck subterfuge, Sonny (Neo Rivera), the goon that actually killed Gabriel, has also arrived at Sacred Heart. He’s brought two members for backup and is no longer interested in the cross, but wants revenge for being set up with the truck. Arriving behind them shortly are Kai and Alex. A shootout quickly pops and Rodrigo (Danelli) gets the cross and flees. Alex pursues on foot and as soon as Kai has a chance, she’s right behind them. The goons prove to be ill-prepared for the shootout when they run out of ammo. Not willing to shoot an unarmed man, even though it is now two-on-one, Ernesto goes hand-to-hand with the two men. Drawing the arched scythe-like blade, Ernesto immediately recognizes Sonny as the murderer of Father Gabriel.

As the foot chase continues through crowded alleys, Ernesto impressively takes down the two assailants. Alex eventually catches up with the man, but unaware of his presence, he is taken hostage. Kai is quickly there but eliminated when she is forced to drop her weapon. Hands in the air, she apologizes to the imposter father which confuses him. Taking hold of the man’s right wrist, Alex Judo throws the man over his shoulder while disarming him at the same time, and says that she was apologizing for letting him get too close.

The Sacred Heart – In the closing sequence, the church is restored where Ann joins Father Christo, Ernesto, Alex, and Kai. She has the cross and legal paperwork that declares the church as sole proprietors of the cross. With the good news delivered, Alex takes the opportunity to try to convince Ann to finish their so rudely interrupted evening. She shoots him down with claims that she doesn’t want to get involved with someone who could so easily fool her.

 

Almost Paradise Review

What a bunch of absolute drivel! I have been a Christian Kane fan since the early “Leverage,” days, but if I’m being honest that show wasn’t the best either. This is basically the same show with a different premise. I must give points for the story, as the ex-DEA agent, gift shop, and Filipino island are intriguing. Speaking of intriguing, “The Magellan Cross” had an awesome backstory that was easy to appreciate, even for someone that isn’t a history buff. The acting is elementary, and it’s almost as if everything is hidden under clever twists.

I enjoy a good twist, but if you stayed for the entire episode, you can see that it was like the creative teams were trying to bury all the negativity of the episode under clever twists. Maybe a shorter episode with an equally interesting story might persuade me, but as for now, it’s hard to imagine how this got a season 2. This episode gets a depressing 4 out of 10.

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