Rhea Seehorn on Pluribus Finale: Carol’s Risky Move Unpacked

The closing chapter of Pluribus’ debut series left viewers with more questions than answers, as Carol’s last-minute decision sent shockwaves through the story. Rhea Seehorn, who brings Carol to life, has shared her perspective on the character’s impulsive actions and the ambiguity that now surrounds her future.

Carol’s Dilemma and the Hivemind Threat

In the final scenes, Carol finds herself in a particularly grim state of mind. The revelation that the eggs she had preserved years ago, with hopes of starting a family alongside her wife Helen (Miriam Shor), are now being exploited by The Others, is a bitter pill to swallow. These eggs are being used as a means to draw Carol into the hivemind, all without her agreement.

This development forces Carol into a difficult position. The episode’s title, ‘La Chica o El Mundo’, hints at the stark choice she faces: pursue personal happiness or attempt to avert a larger catastrophe. She reluctantly teams up with Manousos (Carlos-Manuel Vesga), forming a partnership that is anything but comfortable. In a final, shocking twist, Carol arranges for an atomic bomb to be delivered to her own neighbourhood—a callback to a darkly comic remark she made in the third episode, ‘Grenade’.

Seehorn Reflects on Carol’s Uncertainty

The image of Carol’s drastic action is certain to be pored over by fans until the next series arrives. When asked about her character’s mindset at that pivotal moment, Seehorn admitted that even she is unsure of Carol’s intentions.

“I honestly don’t know. I made peace with [that]. Even if Vince [Gilligan] was saying we don’t know where we’re going with it, usually as an actor I would make an intentional decision about what I think Carol’s plan is.”

Seehorn’s candour highlights the complexity of Carol’s character. She went on to say:

“Maybe this makes me a horrible actor,” Seehorn laughs. “I honestly think Carol is not sure. I didn’t do it out of laziness. I did it because one of her flaws – that sometimes is a superpower – is that she’s so impulsive. She’s just so impulsive and acts before she thinks. I think she knows she’s got to do something big, and I’m not really sure what’s going to do with it.”

Impulsiveness at the Heart of Carol’s Character

Seehorn’s remarks suggest that Carol’s unpredictability is both her greatest weakness and her most formidable strength. The character’s tendency to leap before she looks has been a recurring theme throughout the series, and the finale’s explosive conclusion is a natural extension of this trait.

With Pluribus now available to stream, audiences are left to speculate about the consequences of Carol’s actions and what they might mean for the next series. The ambiguity of her decision ensures that the discussion will continue, keeping viewers invested in the fate of both Carol and the world she inhabits.