Pluribus episode 4 reveals a game-changing hint about the Others
In the latest episode of *Pluribus*, titled “Please, Carol,” viewers witness Carol Sturka, played by Rhea Seehorn, delve deep into detective work as she uncovers a significant truth about the enigmatic Others. This episode marks a pivotal moment in the series as Carol learns that the hive mind connection of the Others can be reversed—a revelation that could change the dynamics of her world. The episode opens with an emotionally charged conversation between Carol and Larry, one of the Others, portrayed by Emmy-winning Jeff Hiller. Through a series of probing questions about her late partner Helen’s thoughts on her writing, Carol discovers uncomfortable truths: Helen viewed her work as “harmless” and had not finished reading her unpublished novel, *Bitter Chrysalis*. This painful exchange not only sheds light on Carol’s grief but also reveals a crucial aspect of the Others: they are incapable of lying, which sets the stage for Carol’s next move.
Determined to explore the limits of this newfound knowledge, Carol confronts Zosia (Karolina Wydra), who remains hospitalized following a traumatic explosion. When Carol inquires about reversing the Joining, Zosia’s evasive response raises Carol’s suspicions. Seizing the opportunity, Carol resorts to an unconventional method—she administers sodium thiopental, a drug known for its truth-telling properties, to herself and later attempts it on Zosia. The results are both humorous and revealing as Carol, under the influence of the drug, displays her vulnerability and even confesses her attraction to Zosia. However, the plan takes a dramatic turn when Zosia suffers a medical crisis, preventing her from divulging the secrets Carol desperately seeks. Despite the setback, Zosia’s panic and the Others’ frantic pleas confirm that the Joining can indeed be undone, leaving viewers with tantalizing questions about how this reversal might be achieved.
As *Pluribus* continues to unfold on Apple TV, with new episodes released every Friday, Carol’s investigative journey promises to keep audiences engaged. The emotional depth of her character, combined with the intriguing premise of the Others’ hive mind, creates a rich narrative tapestry that explores themes of love, loss, and the quest for truth. With Carol’s detective instincts fully awakened, fans can expect her to pursue this mystery relentlessly, setting the stage for even more revelations and challenges ahead.
Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) goes full detective mode in episode 4 of
Pluribus
. Armed with blunt questioning (but tragically no deerstalker hat or magnifying glass), she uncovers a major revelation: The Joining of the Others’ hive mind can be reversed.
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So, how did Carol find this out, and what does this mean going forward? Let’s break it down.
Carol learns that the Others cannot lie.
In episode 4, titled “Please, Carol,” Carol sits down for a frank chat with one of the Others named Larry (
Somebody Somewhere
‘s Emmy–winning Jeff Hiller). Throughout the scene, she asks him some tough questions about her relationship with her partner, Helen (Miriam Shor). What did Helen think of her
Winds of Wycaro
books? Did she think Carol’s unpublished novel
Bitter Chrysalis
was actually any good?
Drawing on the Others’ hive mind, which contains all of Helen’s memories, Larry reluctantly gives Carol some hard truths. Helen thought that Winds of Wycaro
was “harmless,” the literary equivalent of “cotton candy.” She also only thought
Bitter Chrysalis
was “fine.” In fact, she hadn’t even finished reading Carol’s draft.
The conversation with Larry is a painful one, with Carol picking away at her grief about Helen. Yet it’s also useful: Thanks to Carol’s insistence that Larry answer her, even if it’s an answer that will harm her, she learns that the Others are incapable of telling a lie.
She decides to use that discovery against Zosia (Karolina Wydra), still in the hospital following episode 3’s grenade explosion. Carol flat-out asks whether there’s a way to reverse the Joining. When Zosia waffles, telling Carol the Others “can’t answer questions like that,” Carol knows she’s onto something.
“Your non-answer is my answer,” Carol reasons. But how can she get Zosia to spill the Others’ secrets?
Carol uses sodium thiopental, aka “truth serum,” against Zosia.
The answer to Carol’s quandary? Drugs!
She raids the hospital stash for sodium thiopental, a barbiturate that serves as a general anesthetic. The drug lowers inhibition, making it a kind of “truth serum,” as evidenced by Carol’s test injection on herself. Within minutes, Carol loses any of her composed grouchiness. She begins dancing around her living room, sobbing about Helen, and even doing dramatic readings of the Wycaro
books. (She’s right,
these books
should
be a movie
.)
But most fascinating of all is when she reveals what she truly thinks of Zosia — that she’s “so goddamn fuckable.” If the sodium thiopental can get Carol to reveal her deep-kept secret that she’s attracted to one of the Others, then surely it can get Zosia to tell her how to reverse the Joining, right?
Not quite. A drugged Zosia manages to hold off on telling Carol the truth, instead going into cardiac arrest. But her panic, and that of all the Others begging Carol to stop, is proof enough that the Joining can be undone. The “how” remains a mystery, though. But don’t worry! After all her sleuthing in this episode, you can bet Detective Carol isn’t done with this case.
Pluribus
is now streaming on Apple TV, with a new episode every Friday.
