Now that Season 1 of “Pluribus” has concluded, the show has firmly established itself as a standout in the realm of original television programming. Garnering a flawless 10/10 rating from Looper, the finale did not disappoint. With Apple TV already greenlighting a second season, let’s delve into the explosive events of the finale and ponder what the future might hold. For an in-depth analysis of the gripping conclusion, be sure to watch Looper’s comprehensive video breakdown.

In the episode entitled “La Chica o El Mundo”—translated as “The Girl or The World”—a pivotal moment unfolds as Manousos, portrayed by Carlos-Manuel Vesga, finally tracks down Carol, played by Rhea Seehorn, in New Mexico. Their meeting quickly becomes a battleground of opposing views; Manousos remains deeply skeptical of the hive mind, while Carol has begun to see its potential benefits. Tensions escalate when Manousos inadvertently causes a malfunction in the collective, much to Carol’s frustration. However, this disruption yields a curious discovery for Manousos. Throughout the season, he has been monitoring radio frequencies and notes that the hive mind’s distress causes a subtle shift in the signal’s rhythm. While the implications of this are not yet clear, it hints at a potential method to dismantle the hive mind’s influence.

Having faced abandonment in the past, Carol is determined to avoid a repeat experience. Seeking an escape, she embarks on a remarkable vacation with Zosia, played by Karolina Wydra. However, the respite is short-lived as Carol learns that the hive mind is still intent on transforming her. Although she previously revoked permission for them to extract stem cells from her hip, the finale ties back to the “frozen eggs” reference from Episode 3, “Grenade.” Utilizing these stored eggs, the hive mind plans to complete the transformation within a few months, setting a ticking clock on Carol’s fate.

Forget Chekhov’s gun; here comes Carol’s atom bomb. In a climactic twist, the finale concludes with Zosia dropping Carol off in Albuquerque, where she reunites with Manousos, who is still working on a strategy to break the hive mind’s hold. Carol arrives with a massive container, raising Manousos’s curiosity. When he inquires about its contents, Carol straightforwardly reveals it to be an atom bomb, a callback to an earlier plot point in the season. The hive mind’s willingness to grant Carol’s every desire extends even to providing her with a weapon capable of wreaking widespread destruction.

Never mind Chekhov’s gun, how about Carol’s atom bomb? The “Pluribus” Season 1 finale ends with Zosia dropping Carol off in Albuquerque with a massive container. Manousos is still there, and hopefully, he’s made some headway in figuring out how to undo the hive mind’s psychic glue. When he asks Carol what’s inside the container, she bluntly says it’s an atom bomb, once again paying something off from earlier in the season. The hive mind is willing to give Carol anything she wants, and that extends to a weapon that could destroy a good chunk of the country.

What could the bomb be for? Perhaps Carol just wants it as leverage, but surely it’s going to be detonated at some point? If the hive mind figures out how to get stem cells from her eggs, they may need to get close to her to complete the process (something we saw in the opening scene of Episode 9 when one of the survivors willingly assimilates). She may tell them that if they get anywhere near her, she’ll blow them all to kingdom come. It could buy some time as she and Manousos figure out a way to get everyone back to normal.

We already know some ways “Pluribus” won’t end, and one theory we can probably toss out is there being some kind of Queen that’s controlling all this. If there’s no Queen, then the key is likely in those signals. Perhaps they’re being broadcast from somewhere on Earth, and if they stop the signals from spreading, they can free people from the hive mind’s grasp. For more on the thrilling Season 1 finale and some theorizing about what to expect from “Pluribus” Season 2 and beyond, make sure to watch Looper’s explainer video above.