Like Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) diligently writing down all the things she learns in regards to the hivemind, we’ve been scouring every new episode of Pluribus for clues in regards to the present’s science-fiction thriller. However because the season 1 finale brings the story to a detailed (for now), we’ve discovered a staggeringly darkish new element that makes us query every interplay between the hivemind and humanity’s survivors.
[Ed. note: Spoilers ahead for Pluribus episode 9.]
We beforehand discovered that the hivemind have been in search of methods to get any stragglers like Carol, who’re immune to hitch them. Carol flat-out says no. Nevertheless, a number of different of the immune appear extra wanting to be absorbed, together with Kusimayu (Darinka Arones), a younger lady from Peru.
Within the opening scene of Pluribus’ season 1 finale, we see Kusimayu and the remainder of her individuals in her small mountain village as they go about their day, tending to animals and dwelling out their lives as in the event that they weren’t one large Borg. A aircraft flies overhead, containing her personal customized variant of the virus. When it arrives, the village’s inhabitants all collect and put together for Kusimayu to hitch them. They play devices and sing, evoking the sensation of a non secular celebration. The hivemind, piloting Kusimayu’s household, reassures her that it received’t harm. As she trembles and shakes, the village continues to sing and whereas we don’t get the interpretation of what the hivemind is saying, it feels as haunting as a Gregorian chant.
As soon as Kusimayu passes over, she stands again up with that very same unnerving smile the hivemind at all times makes. Instantly, everybody within the city begins to pack up and transfer on. Beforehand we watched the inhabitants of Kusimayu’s village dwelling their outdated lives. They mended garments, raised goats, constructed fences, and cooked Kusimayu’s favourite meals. Nevertheless, as quickly as Kusimayu turns into a part of the hivemind, actuality sinks in: Each single second was all an act to maintain one lady blissful. We don’t know the place these persons are headed, however I’ve to imagine it’s someplace simila to the rec heart Carol visited in episode 8, the place, to save lots of sources and house, dozens of the hive sleep on the ground, side-by-side.
What’s so chilling about this scene is that it reveals how little hivemind cares about something that doesn’t serve their targets of spreading the virus and sustaining life on Earth. Kusimayu got here from a selected tradition and, as a result of hivemind technically not being a part of any neighborhood apart from its personal, she was the final individual of her tradition to exist. Along with her becoming a member of, the hivemind discards that tradition like one would toss a pair of soiled socks into the laundry basket. They let the animals go (that poor goat), take down the fences, and go away most of their belongings behind. It ceases to exist in any approach exterior of the hivemind’s collective reminiscence as a result of it serves no goal to the hivemind’s targets.
It’s not that the hivemind isn’t able to caring about tradition or artwork; they’ve proven appreciation for the Earth and its individuals. It’s that they don’t have any motive to. In episode 8, when Zosia (Karoline Wydra) feedback on the O’Keefe portray in Carol’s house, Carol’s lie about her concern that animals would break it if left unguarded within the museum surprises them. They by no means as soon as thought-about the likelihood as a result of, whereas they’re extremely empathetic creatures, they’re (seemingly) incapable of getting their very own particular person ideas and concepts. They will’t suppose passionately a few topic or specific an opinion past blind adoration, and due to that, tradition falls by the wayside.
The scene in Peru additionally highlights how far the hivemind will go to make Carol and the opposite immune comfy and blissful. Whereas I don’t doubt the hivemind’s intentions to make the Others blissful, they proceed to straddle the road between being manipulative and real. We noticed this with Koumba Diabaté (Our Flag Means Dying’s Samba Schutte), who makes use of the hivemind to behave out energy fantasies. Even Carol herself, whose relationship with Zosia has culminated in an odd romance, isn’t resistant to the hivemind’s affections. Their romance, whereas compelling, appears largely because of Carol wanting connection after 40 days of isolation.
Finally, we all know the hivemind received’t cease till they move on the virus to everybody on Earth and past — no matter consent. As Zosia explains, it’s their organic crucial. Their intentions will not be inherently malicious, however they’re successfully identical to the conversion camp counselors that Carol in contrast them to in episode 4 — smiling as they play make-believe and take away the very factor that makes you, you.
Pluribus episodes 1-9 are streaming now on Apple TV.
