He’s Just a Guy Who Made a Very Large Mistake

In a recent analysis, Scott Porter delved into the intricate storyline of Paul Randolph in Ginny and Georgia‘s third season. He explored questions such as whether Paul can be considered a villain, his relationship with Georgia, and the surprising pregnancy twist in the final episode. As the Mayor of Wellsbury, Paul played a crucial role in maintaining the town’s harmony; however, tensions escalated when his wife, Georgia Miller (Brianne Howey), was detained for the murder of Tom Fuller at their wedding in Season 2’s finale.

Initially, during Season 3, Paul remained with Georgia; however, their relationship deteriorated as her deceitful actions and manipulations came to light. The final straw was when Georgia presented Paul with a fake pregnancy test as a desperate attempt to keep him. This led to Paul’s departure and public divorce from Georgia in Ginny & Georgia Season 3, but the plan backfired significantly when Georgia was acquitted of her charges in the finale. As a result, the public now views Georgia as a hero and Paul as the villain who abandoned his spouse.

In an interview, TopMob chatted with Scott Porter, star of Ginny & Georgia, about the development of Paul’s character in Season 3. However, Porter explained that he feels Paul isn’t truly a villain as portrayed, stating instead that Paul is merely grappling with the consequences of something he believed would dismantle his life, and his actions should not be misconstrued as those of a villain; rather, they are a response to his world collapsing before him.

To begin with, our series doesn’t typically feature traditional ‘villains’. Instead, we have numerous characters who often make mistakes or act impulsively. However, this doesn’t mean they are evil or antagonistic. I don’t believe that Paul is currently in a villainous phase. Rather, he appears to be grappling with the aftermath of what seemed like his entire life crumbling before him, and he knows that his wife played a significant role in it. Yet, feeling guilt, making one regrettable decision or reaction does not equate to being a villain.

Porter further explained that Paul is simply a person who occasionally behaves imperfectly, responds suboptimally at times, and may err.

Some viewers today prefer stories with clear-cut heroes and villains, but our show is more complex in its portrayal of characters. While we do have some characters who are clearly antagonistic, like Georgia’s stepfather Gil, others, such as Cynthia and Paul, are not villains. They are flawed human beings who make mistakes and struggle to find their way through life.

Towards the conclusion of Season 3, Paul found himself in a dire state regarding his political career following his connection to Georgia, which led to him being ousted as mayor. However, Porter expressed eagerness to observe “Paul’s ability to bounce back” during the recall election in Season 4.

After being brought back at the end of Season 3, it looks like Paul will need to do it again. Given his past experiences, I believe he’s been in a similar situation before. I don’t view him as a villain, but rather I’m eagerly anticipating and hoping to see more of his resilience and skills in Season 4. With this recall election approaching, however, it remains to be seen what will happen next.

In Season 3, there were numerous unexpected turns of events, and the climactic unveiling disclosed that Georgia is indeed expecting, although the potential father could be either Paul or Joe.

Following the ordeal of a false pregnancy, Porter considers that Paul might require undeniable “scientific evidence” to be convinced he’s Georgia’s baby’s father. Given his past experiences with his ex-wife’s deceit and manipulation, this request for proof seems reasonable.

I believe we should have concrete evidence from a medical professional before taking any action. Let’s go see a doctor together, ideally with all necessary paperwork in hand. I’d like to verify everything, including blood tests, if possible. I want to make sure that every detail is accounted for, so let’s double-check everything thoroughly.

If the child turns out to be Paul’s, the actor expresses, “Initially, he might find it hard to accept, but I suspect he’ll eventually embrace the truth.

In the third season of the show “Ginny & Georgia,” the focus was on Georgia’s murder trial, revealing the long-concealed dark secrets she had been hiding. Joining Scott Porter and Brianne Howey in this Netflix production is an exceptional cast led by Antonia Gentry, Felix Mallard, Diesel La Torraca, Katie Douglas, Aaron Ashmore, Sara Waisglass, Sabrina Grdevich, and Nathan Mitchell.

Paul’s Complicated Journey in Ginny & Georgia Season 3 Explained by Star

“I don’t think Paul ever saw himself as [Georgia’s] knight in shining armor…”

TopMob: Paul is described as Georgia’s knight in shining armor, and this was further proven in Season 2 when he stood by her side despite learning some of the truth about her dark past. Before Season 3, there is a sense that you will accept Georgia even if you knew the whole truth. However, cracks emerged between you in Season 3 when Georgia’s secrets started to unravel in the trial. The final straw was when she faked her pregnancy. Can you talk to us about Paul’s journey in Season 3?

Scott Porter suggests that a significant line spoken by the character Paul in the major kitchen fight scene of Episode 8 in Season 3 conveys a lot about him. He says to Georgia, “I know you killed Tom, I’ve known this all along. Didn’t you wonder why I never asked? Because I knew you did it, and yet I stayed.” Throughout the series, Paul has had a clear understanding of Georgia’s abilities due to their unique meeting circumstances, as she orchestrated their encounter. Additionally, recall that Cynthia had accused Georgia of stealing from Paul’s office, which was indeed true.
It appeared to him that Georgia was an ideal fit since she was someone who would take actions he envisioned, often challenging the status quo and giving him the freedom to stick to his own path.
Over time, her habit of lying straight to him took a toll on him. You see, the things she did outside their relationship that didn’t affect Paul directly didn’t bother him too much. However, the lies she told him face-to-face were another story; they really got under his skin. This is why, throughout this journey, I believe he thought they had a flawless, invincible bond, because of who they are as individuals and how well they complement each other.
It’s clear that Paul never viewed himself as Georgia’s hero on a white horse. Instead, he saw her potential and aspired to be part of her future. When he popped the question, he expressed, “I see your past, but I see who you could become.” This was his argument for why she should pick him. However, their bond started showing signs of strain as Paul persistently urged Georgia to allow him closer.
In Episode 8 of Season 3, his heartache stemmed from the accumulated sorrow of knowing he could have shielded them had he known everything that transpired, but due to Georgia keeping it a secret, he couldn’t. The pregnancy lie she told was a deeply personal deception that added to his distress, making him feel betrayed about their relationship and family. This deception forms a significant part of their bond, and if she was willing to deceive him about such a crucial aspect of their lives, he questioned whether he could continue in the relationship any longer.

TopMob: And I think that’s the point of no return in your relationship, right? The one where Georgia lied about her pregnancy?

Scott Porter: Essentially, our series is extraordinary, featuring a storyline where you might assume Paul wouldn’t return after he left the house following a heart-wrenching goodbye with the children in an earlier season episode. However, due to Georgia’s manipulation, he does come back, only to depart again once he learns about the fake pregnancy. Later in the season, he tells Joe, ‘You won’t grasp it until you’ve been with a woman like that.’ I believe it will be quite a while, if not forever, before Paul encounters a woman similar to Georgia in his life again.
Is there a part of Paul that will always be incomplete without his relationship with Georgia, or has he grown accustomed to the struggle and challenges it presented? Our show excels at exploring the “never-can-tell” aspect, where we might think the characters could never reunite, only to be proven wrong later on. So, are Paul and Georgia’s paths permanently diverged, or is there a chance for them to reconcile and heal? Currently, both characters seem fractured in their own ways, requiring time and introspection to mend themselves.
On the flip side though, we might not know our limits. Our writers, after all, have hidden depths. It’s conceivable that these characters could reconnect, potentially igniting a connection similar to their initial bond from season one.

Scott Porter on Paul’s “Incredibly Difficult” Argument Scene With Georgia

“Paul’s frustration came out in heartbreak, in devastation, and disappointment, and then finally, in a physical action…”

TopMob: In your final confrontation with Georgia right before leaving her, and the scene where you publicly divorced her. There was this line where you mentioned, “I knew you did it, and I still didn’t leave.” That hits hard, and it shows how genuine Paul’s love is for Georgia. However, that scene when you hit the wall midway through the argument was difficult to see. Can you talk us through what was going through your mind filming that scene?

Scott Porter: The process we went through was extremely challenging. There were numerous discussions about Paul’s behavior. A term I’ve heard bandied about by fans, which seems quite apt to me, is ‘the right emotion, wrong outlet.’ Paul’s anger manifested in sorrow, despair, and disillusionment, before culminating in a physical act – all of these feelings were certainly justified. As the actor playing Paul, I found it tough to confront the consequences of this action because, over the first two seasons, I believed that Paul could weather the storm that is Georgia Miller, given his knowledge of her background at that point.
Paul understands that Gil has been abusive towards her in the past, and he’s aware of her sensitive history. He also wants to clarify that he never intentionally touches her, but what he does – which is banging the wall – triggers a PTSD response in her, something Paul would never want to cause her.
In my understanding, Paul has played his character for a long time, making him deeply thoughtful. Yet, the action in question was careless. Collaborating with Sarah Lampert, our writer, Sharon Lewis, our director, and Brianne, we managed to uncover a truth and honesty that made the scene authentic and painful as it needed to be. I’ve always regretted Paul reaching that metaphorical wall, wishing he never had. Even today, I still yearn for that moment to have passed without incident. Unfortunately, it did happen.
Moving forward, what should I do next? Following that act, his world seems to disintegrate even more. A phrase often used is “wounds breed wounds.” After the scene, you can observe his behavior towards Nick. His wounds are evident in how he brushes off Nick. His wounds are also apparent in his refusal to accept Georgia’s apology or any opportunity for reconciliation.
The way he handles his career mirrors his own wounds, and in doing so, he might unintentionally harm others. This vulnerability only added to the intensity of the scene, which was already filled with strong emotions. However, our production is exceptionally supportive, and on that particular day, I truly felt the camaraderie among cast, directors, and creatives. It was a magical experience.

Scott Porter Explains Why Paul Is Not A Villain