Pluribus Episode 2 Review: Why the Hive Mind Might Be Humanity’s Best Future
Summary: Her lover's lifeless body lies just feet away, while a half-empty bottle of liquor lies even closer. Carol Sturka, one of eleven people to whom the joining did not take, awakes to a new reality. While episode one dealt with the "how" we got here, episode two leans into the "what" of the story. More specifically, what is Carol going to do about it?
The Aftermath: How Pluribus Subverts the Zombie Trope
We are first introduced to the aftermath, as the collective masses of humanity gather and dispose of the dead. As part of the hive mind, they can perform all of the tasks necessary to complete the job at hand. This includes flying airplanes and operating machinery their individual selves were incapable of. All of this is done with a benign practical efficiency.
Efficiency with a Smile
The real surprise here is how the people carry out these morbid chores. Despite their effectiveness, they seem to find joy in their work. When Zosia flies the C-130 to meet Carol, a small smile forms on her lips, throwing earlier hypotheses about the evils of the collective out the window. Instead, Vince Gilligan not only turns the zombie trope inside out, he invites discussion about how wonderful "the joining" might be. Unquestionably, throughout this episode, he examines all sides of the argument: to be a part of the masses, to remain an individual, or just quietly accept it. This democratic treatment of its subject is what makes Pluribus so surprising.
Identity vs. Peace: Carol Sturka and the Non-Joiners
This is never more apparent than when Carol meets the others with whom the joining did not take. To Carol's surprise, they're not interested in restoring humanity to the way it was. She endures arguments of acceptance, wanting to belong, and eager exploitation. These points are all examined in a way that is both hilarious and poignant—the standout being Koumba Diabate. His desire for material pursuits and extravagance is both outrageous and delicious.
Survival Over Heroics
This is an episode that continues to surprise its audience in the best ways. Instead of a ragtag group of survivors fighting the forces of darkness, we have people coping the best way they know how. That is what makes this episode stand out: not heroic acts, but just people and their desire to adapt and survive.
Deep Dive Analysis: Is the Hive Mind Actually a Utopia?
The deliberate juxtaposition of the opening scene—where the collective goes about its tasks with moments of joy—and Carol struggling to bury her lover is stark. This beginning visually and subtly presents the argument that the joining is not as bad as Carol claims. Within the hive, humanity works peacefully toward a common goal. Individuals outside the collective, however, struggle alone.
Luxury Aboard Air Force One
Aboard Air Force One, Koumba flies around in the presidential jet; his extravagance is his position. Carol, on the other hand, abstains from luxury. She presents the question, “What’s going to happen when they figure out how to turn us into them?” Her fear of losing her identity is palpable, but so is Koumba’s rebuttal:
“No one is being robbed or murdered. No one is in prison. The color of one’s skin is, by all accounts, now meaningless. All the zoos are empty. Peace on Earth.”
The Cost of a Soul
Carol’s reply—“Ask yourself what has been lost”—is met with a surprising non-answer. Their actions raise the question: why is Carol the only one concerned? The answer may be that, despite Carol’s dissatisfaction with her former life, it had meaning. She had a purpose in it. She fights for her soul because she likes who she was. For the others, they are happy to leave behind a world that gave them nothing to hold on to.
Final Verdict: One of the Best Science Fiction Series on TV
If the tight pacing continues, this could easily rank among the best science fiction television ever created. The story moved along through its one-hour run time without a dull moment—very hard to achieve in a dialogue-heavy production. All the sets were on point and didn't suffer from the "green screen curse." The fabricated Air Force One looks amazing. My only quip is the "pod people seizure" thing, but even that is a small nit.
My final score: 4.9 out of 5.