PLURIBUS’ Best Moments Are Also Its Smallest

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Okay, so the latest episode of Pluribus, number seven, wasn’t a big explosion of plot twists, and honestly, that’s okay. It focused on two really lonely people. We had Carol, who was just completely swallowed up by her isolation, and then Manousos, who felt a connection with her and made this incredible, risky journey from Paraguay to the Darién Gap – a really dangerous place between Colombia and Panama. While not much happened in terms of moving the main story forward, this episode really nailed what Pluribus is good at. See, under all the mystery of this alien happiness virus, it’s really a show about what it means to be human. And it’s those small, quiet moments that show that best – like someone still instinctively paying for gas even though money isn’t even a thing anymore. It’s those little things that just feel so real.

Manousos, on Pluribus, is even more isolated than Carol. She understands the situation and has connected with other survivors, but he doesn’t trust the collective consciousness enough to ask questions, or even accept help from it. He only knows he’s one of two people left who haven’t been changed, out of billions on Earth. Despite witnessing the fate of humanity, he stubbornly clings to his own sense of self.

While traveling through South America, he continued to leave money to cover the gas he siphoned from deserted vehicles, acknowledging those cars likely had no owners. He explained this to the group before entering the rainforest in Pluribus episode seven, calling them thieves with no rightful possessions. Despite this, he still paid for what he took, even though it belonged to no one.

In the fourth episode of Pluribus, he again demonstrated this complex character, desperately searching abandoned storage lockers for food. Though completely alone and starving in a post-apocalyptic world, he still felt compelled to leave an apology note. While it might seem trivial given the circumstances, the scene was deeply moving because it highlighted his remaining humanity. Manousos understands his character isn’t actually stealing – there’s no one left to steal from. Yet, he’s still bothered by the act itself, showing that even in this new world, he retains a sense of morality and knows taking things that don’t belong to him is wrong.

The simple note and small amount of money left on the windshield aren’t dramatic scenes you’d expect from a science fiction show. But that’s precisely what makes them so impactful. These small, concrete actions demonstrate his continued humanity while stranded on Pluribus. They’re poignant, quiet reminders of what it means to be human – to understand the difference between right and wrong, to empathize with others, and to possess a moral compass. In a show with such a grand concept, these little gestures shine brightly, like candles in the darkness. They feel so genuinely human that they make everything else seem insignificant.

The flashback to Carol and Helen’s trip to an ice hotel in Norway, shown in episode seven of Pluribus, felt incredibly personal and beautiful. Even Carol’s little complaints added to the scene, helping us understand how Helen’s love helped Carol become her best self. Helen allowed Carol to appreciate moments beyond the small details – like being able to look up at the sky and enjoy the beauty around them, even if just briefly, with the person she loved.

Those truly special, intimate moments – when it feels like the world disappears and it’s just you and the person you love – are what make life meaningful. They make us feel truly alive and important, not because of any grand purpose, but simply because of the connection itself.

In episode seven of Pluribus, the hive mind proved its inhumanity by stealing a memory of the ice hotel. By using this memory, it demonstrated it doesn’t understand what it means to be human. Even when it shared a seemingly heartfelt story with Carol about how her books helped someone, it failed to grasp why that experience was unique to that person. If everyone is considered special, then the concept loses its meaning – similar to how if all art were equally valued, none of it would feel significant.

Honestly, the best parts of Pluribus are those quiet moments where it really gets what it means to be human – to feel, to connect with someone, to just experience life. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful when it nails those scenes, and surprisingly, the show manages to weave them in even when things are really plot-driven. Take Carol’s trip to Vegas, for example. The John Cena cameo was a blast – funny, exciting, and it moved the story forward. But it was what happened after that really stuck with me. The next morning, Diabaté – who’s honestly the only person who seems to see Carol as a real person – made her breakfast. And he just watched her eat. It wasn’t some big dramatic thing, just him genuinely observing how she piled avocado on her toast and made a quick little open-faced sandwich. It was such a small detail, but it felt incredibly powerful and moving.

He repeated the kind gesture, and it felt good. She didn’t quite register what happened, but it was undeniably special. He offered her kindness, and she responded by sharing a delightful new breakfast idea. This connection improved both of them, a uniquely personal experience impossible within the collective consciousness of the hive mind. The hive wouldn’t understand someone keeping a private moment to themselves, or why someone might forgive a small debt. Because it’s lost the ability to experience anything new, and has no one to share those experiences with, the hive can’t appreciate these simple joys.

Even a fantastic meal at a nice restaurant doesn’t feel as good when you’re eating by yourself, even if it’s clearly much better than a quick breakfast. It’s those shared experiences and the people we share them with that truly make life meaningful. This highlights that even seemingly uneventful moments, like in episode seven of Pluribus, can reveal a lot about what it means to be human.

Mikey Walsh writes for TopMob. He’d likely agree with Carol and Manousos on most things. You can find him on Bluesky at @burgermike, and wherever people are debating the best Targaryen kings.

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2025-12-12 21:04