Pluribus Episode 9 recap and finale ending explained: Carol makes a devastating choice

Pluribus finally streamed its ninth and final episode on Christmas Eve. The episode opens not with Carol or Manousos, but with Kusimayu. For those who remember, we briefly met Kusimayu as one of the survivors from a Peruvian village in the second episode of the Apple TV sci-fi series. Meanwhile, Manousos and Carol finally meet.

But the 59-minute-long episode ends with a setup for the second season as Carol makes a dark choice after learning a shocking truth. The synopsis for Pluribus Episode 9 reads:

"Season finale. Manousos arrives in Albuquerque and complications ensue. Carol visits the last best place on Earth."

Pluribus Episode 9 recap and finale ending explained:

To understand the ending of the Pluribus finale, we should unpack what happens throughout the episode:

• Kusimayu

We met Kusimayu all the way back in Pluribus Episode 2, "Pirate Lady", as one of the survivors. She is in the village, and the entire village seems to be getting ready for sort of ceremony. We soon learn that the ceremony is for "The Joining" of Kusimayu in the hive mind. A mysterious man delivers a package to the village, which is revealed to be the modified virus strain for Kusimayu. She inhales the virus and joins the hive mind.

• Manousos and Carol finally meet

The episode shifts to the familiar opening humming after the scene of Kusimayu's turning. After that, the scene cuts to Carol and Zosia waiting for Manousos. Zosia leaves Carol alone for Manousos's comfort, and when he finally arrives, their first interaction is a bit frosty. Carol tries to use the translator on his phone for Spanish, but Manousos is initially apprehensive.

But he soon grudgingly accepts Carol's mode of communication and tries to convince Carol to go ahead with the plan to save the world. Carol, meanwhile, points out that hive-minded people are not harmful and that they can't lie. After initial apprehension, Manousos finally speaks with The Others.

• The radio transmissions

We see Manousus working on radio transmissions back in the fourth Pluribus episode. They come back in the finale as he is interrogating a hive-minded man named Rick. Manousus makes Rick convulse, causing Zosia to go into the same state. It seems Manousus tries to exorcise Rick to emerge back to his human form using the radio signal. Manousus's actions cause The Others to leave Albuquerque. Carol also abandons him.

• Carol learns the truth

Earlier in the episode, we learn that Carol had frozen her eggs in 2011, and this comes back in the last act of the finale. However, before that, we get Carol finally in a happy place. We see her and Zosia enjoying some time together in scenic locations. It is in one of these places that Carol and Zosia have a tense exchange in which the truth is revealed.

Carol learns that The Others already have her stem cells, as they were able to access her frozen eggs. Zosia tries to convince Carol to give consent, but the latter refuses, and the former drops her back in her home in Albuquerque, along with a mysterious cargo crate. Carol tells Manousus (who is also living in Albuquerque) that he was right, setting up their collaboration in the second season.

Carol also tells Manousus that the mysterious cargo crate contains the atomic bomb, meaning she will use it to blow everything up if they both are unable to find a way to Undo The Joining.

Trending

All nine episodes of the Vince Gilligan series are available on Apple TV.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback