Last week, I pondered whether Carol, our hesitant heroine in the series Pluribus, would find an ally to aid in her quest against the oppressive cheerfulness enveloping the world. Episode 4 provided a partial answer, introducing a character who shares her mindset, though how they will eventually collaborate remains uncertain.

Welcome to our weekly exploration of Apple TV’s latest sci-fi creation, Pluribus, a brainchild of Vince Gilligan, the creative force behind Breaking Bad and a former X-Files writer. The show envisions a world where most of humanity has merged into a hive mind, experiencing only positive emotions. Carol, perpetually discontent, is one of the few “survivors” longing for a return to the world as it once was. Each week, I delve into pressing questions raised by the latest episode, inviting Verge subscribers to engage in the comments with their own queries and theories. Beware, there are spoilers ahead for the first four episodes of Pluribus.

This episode commenced with a contemplative, mostly silent sequence featuring Manousos, played by Carlos Manuel Vesga. He’s the only other survivor exhibiting a disdain for the hive comparable to Carol’s, possibly even greater. Residing in a storage facility, Manousos leads a bleak life, subsisting on sugar packets and dog food, steadfast in his rejection of hive assistance. His aversion aligns him as a potential ally for Carol, though they are separated by geography and language barriers.

As Carol begins to grasp her predicament, she dedicates much of the episode to understanding the hive. She discovers that while the hive can’t directly lie, it can certainly withhold truth. This insight propels her to concoct a dangerous truth serum, leading to unintended consequences for Zosia, portrayed by Karolina Wydra. Here are the pressing questions I’m left with:

It seems an alliance between Carol and Manousos is inevitable. Yet, the logistical challenges of traveling from Peru to the US in this altered reality pose significant obstacles. These are compounded by Manousos’s refusal to accept any hive assistance. Even if they manage to unite, the language barrier remains a hurdle.

The question lingers: Can the “joining” of the hive be reversed to restore the world to its former state? The hive’s evasiveness hints at the possibility, but Carol faces the daunting task of countering the collective efforts of billions intent on maintaining the status quo. Her truth serum attempt—though initially a clever strategy—has spawned further complications.

Can Carol figure out the actual truth?

And by that I mean, whether it’s possible to undo the “joining” as it’s called, and set the world back the way it was. The hive’s reluctance to tell her either way suggests that it is indeed possible, but Carol is also up against a few billion people all working together to keep her from “fixing” things. The truth serum was a good idea that didn’t fully work out… and may have created an even bigger problem.

How long will the hive put up with Carol?

Even though it’s sometimes unintentional, Carol keeps harming the hive, and you’d have to think at some point they’ll get fed up and their self-preservation instincts will kick in. Especially considering that Carol’s actively working to undo their connection. Then again, they’re intent on making her happy no matter the cost (grenade, anyone?). These two elements are in direct conflict — and it’ll be fascinating to see how they clash.