Paradise's thomas doherty on endings, supercomputers, and a golden doodle apocalypse
Thomas Doherty, the enigmatic Dylan (aka Link) in Hulu’s Paradise, isn’t prepping for a bunker. If the world ends, he’s sticking with his golden doodle, Daisy. “I’m gonna be like everyone else, running around like a madman,” he jokes, a sentiment that feels oddly fitting given the mind-bending finale of the sci-fi series’ second season.
Unraveling link's past: sinatra's shadow
Doherty’s character has become a nexus point for fan theories, a culmination of twists and turns that began with Dylan’s introduction as the elusive Link, a nod to The Legend of Zelda’s wandering hero. But the revelation of his true name and a potential familial connection to the show’s calculating antagonist, Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson), sent Reddit forums into overdrive. Could Sinatra be his mother? The question lingers, a hallmark of creator Dan Fogelman’s signature storytelling style—delivering answers that only spawn more questions.
Season two skillfully layered these mysteries, building on the initial reveal that Sinatra’s son supposedly died young, fueling her obsessive construction of a mountain-side bunker. The suggestion that Link might be that son, resurrected or otherwise, added a chilling new dimension to Sinatra’s motivations and the show's overarching plot.
“Almost tricking the audience can be dangerous,” Doherty admits. “Because you’re thinking about the perception of the performance instead of the truth. A lot of the time you just have to trust the writing.” He’s as invested in deciphering the enigma as the show's fervent fanbase, embracing the ambiguity inherent in Fogelman’s intricate narratives.
Beyond the visions: a father's love & a potential friendship
Doherty, in a candid conversation with Esquire, sheds some light—but not all—on Dylan’s journey. The name “Link,” he explains, offered Dylan a shield, a way to disengage from a troubled past and embrace a larger purpose. “By changing his name, he can kind of self-empower himself. He’s a nerd,” Doherty observes. The quick turnaround between roles—moving from New York to Los Angeles in a matter of days—left little time for Zelda immersion, though he confesses to a fondness for FIFA and Fortnite.
But the questions persist. What are the significance of Dylan and Xavier’s (Sterling K. Brown) shared nosebleeds and visions? How does the supercomputer, Alex, factor into the unfolding events? And perhaps most poignantly, why did Dylan choose to name his newborn daughter Annie?
“I invest in the idea that, yes, there was trauma bonding going on,” Doherty reflects. “But it was a relief for each other. This pent-up protectiveness they’ve suppressed for so long was finally able to come out, and they gave each other that gift.” He further elaborates on the idea that Xavier's grounded nature will pull Dylan from his own introspection.
As Dylan confronts the possibility that Sinatra is his mother, Doherty acknowledges the conflicting emotions—regret, resentment, and a burgeoning paternal love. “It might inspire them to have more fire, to really achieve the goal this time,” he concludes, leaving the ultimate resolution to the final season.
Ultimately, Doherty surrenders to the narrative, embracing the uncertainty with a quiet confidence. “I'm talking as if it's over,” he laughs, hinting at the surprises still to come in Paradise’s third and final season. The future remains unwritten, but one thing is certain: Daisy the golden doodle will be by Dylan's side, ready to face whatever apocalypse awaits.