All In – The episode opens at the Villegas Resort and Casino. Ann Villegas (Max Collins) enters her father’s custom penthouse apartment. Mason Gill (Juan Revilla) tells her that the apartment was not complete when Johnny died. Johnny Villegas (Leon Martinez) says now that she is the CEO of the Villegas Empire, she should have the apartment. Mason reminds her of the recent break-in at her house. She admits to being overwhelmed by everything. Mason assures her that her father believed in her. Johnny claims the entire family supports her. Mason explains the Command Center’s video-conferencing system. Security Specialist Barton Coyne (Joe Pierce) boasts of Barton Coyne Security’s “perfect record.” She questions why the Board Of Directors hired him. He informs her of the three Macau casino robberies by James Trask who left an IOU behind. He warns that the Villegas Casino is a prime target.

Paradise – Alex Walker (Christian Kane) is assisting a customer when he hears Rita Cordero (Sophia Reola) talking on the phone with Ann. Leaping over the counter, he practices his introduction before saying identifying himself. Ann invites him to lunch. After pretending to check his calendar, he accepts the offer. Rita asks who is Ann. After claiming she got away, he boasts of knowing she would come back.

In the casino security room, Isko (Rafa Siguion-Reyna) performs an ICSDB analysis on Alex.  He alerts Barton of Alex’s arrival. Barton tells it is a bit early for a “blackjack cheat.” Isko suggests Alex thinks they will not pay attention. Barton activates the casino’s “removal protocol.” Alex is immediately approached by a security guard who identifies him as Felix Murphy. Refuting the name, Alex claims he is scheduled to meet Ann. The guard shoves him as another guard grabs him from behind. A physical altercation breaks out until Ann intervenes. Barton approaches to explain how the casino database identified him as a “high-end card cheat.” Identifying him as Alex Walker, Ann says they have an appointment. Alex admits to being part of a DEA mission in which he portrayed a card cheat. She asks Barton to ensure it never happens again.

In the penthouse apartment, Ann informs Alex of her father’s death when Johnny bursts through the door. He asks if she realizes what Barton has done. She says he is a security expert. He reminds her of his being the security expert until Barton terminated him. She tells him that he still maintains an ambassador position. Irate, he rushes out without shutting the door. She warns Alex of how a robbery would impact the casino. He questions if she trusts Barton. She asks him to stage a robbery at the casino.

Mactan Police Department – Alex informs Ernesto Alamares (Arthur Acuna) and Kai Mendoza (Samantha Richelle) of Ann wanting him to rob the casino. Kai sarcastically says he can steal her money but not her heart. He tells her that it is to test a security system like white hat hackers test computer systems. Ike Ocampo (Nonie Buencamino) reminds him of the Villegas family hiring security expert, Barton. Alex describes Barton as “all talk.” They briefly discuss the Yellow Diamond Casino $48m Trask Force robbery. Kai points out that every attempt to catch the heisters has failed. Alex tries to convince them to get involved in the staged robbery. She questions if Ann let her security team in on it. Ike approves the heist because the Villegas family supported his Governor campaign.

Alex’s janitor disguise reminds Ernesto of the Mario Brothers. Kai is none too thrilled with her disguise. He gives a rundown of the data needed for the mission. When he explains his role, Kai and Ernesto suggest they will do all the legwork. As the heist begins, Ernesto monitors the collection of money drawers when a dispute breaks out. Isko alerts security of the fight. Barton orders the culprits immediately removed from the casino. Ernesto and Alex see the money cart unattended except for one worker. A man is acting strangely a short distance away. Margo Fischer (Erika Heynatz) warns Kai that the security team is monitoring her carefully since she is new. Johnny informs Margo of his being replaced as head of security by Barton. He invites her for a drink. When she declines, he blames it on his demotion. She kisses him on the cheek. Alex overhears Barton flirting with Anne when a man approaches complaining about the vacuum eating his earbuds. He tries to appease the man with money.

Alex tells Kai and Ernesto that the casino refills its 15 ATMs three times per day. He says each ATM holds 20 million pesos ($340,000 USD). She questions how can they infiltrate the ATMs. Placing a bank cassette on the table, Alex points out the casino utilizes them when refilling the ATMs. Ernesto suggests more security is applied during the refill than the emptying. Alex says when the ICSDB service detects a card shark, the security detail immediately removes them from the casino. She asks if his plan is to lay low until a cheat is detected. He tells her that they will overwhelm the ICSDB service and security with cheats. Cousin Angelo Alamares (Jairus Aquino) will help them hack the system. He says they need an inside contact. Later, she propositions Johnny with a deal that would let him get one over on Barton.

Johnny voices concern about the police staging a robbery. Alex tells Angelo that he needs to hack the ICSDB, identify the patrons, and replace their IDs with card sharks’ IDs. Angelo reminds him that it is a closed system. Johnny explains how remote access to his computer will get him into the casino’s internal system. Alex asks Johnny to get them ID badges with keycards and an ATM refill schedule. Ike points out that the heist is designed to strengthen Villegas Casino security. Johnny says it will also make Barton look like a “monkey.”

Day Of Heist – Ernesto assumes a position on the casino floor while Kai serves drinks. Johnny tells Margo that their night together was “amazing.” Angelo accesses the casino’s internal security system to replace the patrons’ IDs to make them look like card sharks. Two guards push a money cart past Ernesto. As Angelo’s upload is complete, Isko alerts of a bogey when the system spews out more alerts. Barton demands to know what is happening. Isko warns that cheats are flooding the security system. Irate, Barton orders all security personnel to the casino floor. Security guards immediately begin removing the cheats. The money cart is left unguarded. Ernesto distracts the guard while Alex swaps out the carts. Ernesto suggests to the guard to return the money cart to the vault until things are under control.

Alex and Kai place the bank cassettes filled with money in a laundry cart. Ernesto returns to the heist van where Johnny is counting the money. Johnny tells them that he will explain how the heist went down, so he can rub it in Barton’s face. He offers Angelo a job which he readily accepts before ordering him to reset the system.

Alex and Kai barge into the Command Center where Ann, Barton, and Mason are staring at the security monitor. Barton demands to know how they got in. Kai shows him an access keycard. Placing a case on the table, Alex pops open the lid to disclose the stolen money. Ann throws down an IOU before asking if he has the other 35 money cases. Scanning the Trask Force IOU, Alex points out that it is for $36m.

At the loading dock, Johnny encounters Margo who claims to be looking for him. He boasts of the heist being a success when Isko and several guards appear with large black bags. She warns against killing him there. Angelo witnesses Johnny being forced into a Better Day Florist van at gunpoint. Unable to reach Kai, he follows the van.

Irate, Ann tells Alex that his heist makes the casino security system vulnerable. Barton accuses him of destroying his reputation. She tells him to “look in the mirror.” After blaming her for the $36m breach, he claims to have been running his own test. Ernesto questions why he never notified the police of the Trask Force being inside the casino. Barton confesses to releasing Johnny when evidence revealed Trask Force was trying to turn him. Kai tells him that Johnny was working with them. Ernesto says Johnny is supposed to be there. Alex questions if Angelo told anyone about the heist. Ernesto assures him that Angelo would never say anything. Alex suggests Johnny was involved but Ann is not buying it. Kai tells them that she overheard Johnny says he saw Margot last night.

Margot thanks Johnny for helping Trask Force get away with more money than initially planned. Angelo accesses the Command Center. Margot’s profile shows she worked in Hawaiian casinos before moving to Mactan Cebu. Kai points out that Hawaii does not have casinos. Via the security system, Angelo informs them of Johnny’s abduction and Trask Force’s current location, the Cebu Port Authority.

Margot orders Johnny and the money placed into a container that will leave within the hour. The men jerk open the container doors to see two armed men. Seconds later, they are surrounded by armed men. Johnny grabs her gun when Kai, Alex, Ernesto, Ann, and Barton appear. He introduces her to his colleagues from when he was a PI. He explains how he became suspicious of Margot after being demoted. He boasts of how she took the bait. After discovering she had booked accommodations in Guam, he checked the Port Authority log to discover a private container was heading there. Ernesto arrests the Trask Force. As they pick up the bags of money, Barton draws his gun. Alex claims to have known he was James Trask. Barton asks if his men are going to show up and rescue him. Alex admits to emptying their guns before throwing the bags of money at him. A struggle ensues and ends when Ann accidentally discharges a gun.

Mason reinstates Johnny as Head of Security. Ann apologizes for letting Barton come between them. Later, she arrives at Paradise to be greeted by Rita who tells her that Alex has a hot date. Ann and Alex have dinner on his boat as the episode ends.

 

Almost Paradise Review

While an overall decent episode, the details of the heist are too in-depth. It is unlikely any of the viewers will recall or even care in the end. A few hiccups but the heist is a success. The episode deserves a 5.8. Get more Almost Paradise recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Ask about our onsite advertising by speaking to a customer support agent.