The Pluribus season Finale Cemented This Show’s Existential Brilliance

[[Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers through the Season 1 finale of Pluribus, “La Chica o El Mundo.”]

The most haunting image from the season finale of Apple TV‘s Pluribus comes early in the episode, and in some ways it’s relatively innocuous: A baby goat, crying out after being released from its pen. Earlier, the goat had been receiving cuddles from young Kusimayu (Darinka Arones), one of the few remaining humans unconnected with the Joining. But once Kusimayu becomes part of the great hive mind, she walks away from the goat as if it means nothing to her. So transported is she, by the promised joy of belonging.

Over the course of its first brilliant season, Pluribus has been so packed with huge ideas about society and the individual. When the show premiered, all we really knew about the premise was that Carol (Rhea Seehorn) was the most miserable woman in the world, and she was going to “save the world from happiness.” Now, with nine episodes’ worth of hindsight, we certainly know how accurate that description really is – while also truly understanding its existential threat.

“La Chica o El Mundo” features the long-awaited meeting of Carol and Manousos (Carlos-Manuel Vesga).