The dramatic revelation at the end of Pluribus episode five, “Got Milk,” left viewers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover what Carol found in that eerie abandoned warehouse. This mysterious location, until recently, was a site where the Others had been manufacturing ingredients for their strangely beloved brown liquid.
Episode six, titled “HDP,” wastes no time unveiling the shocking truths. Even if some viewers anticipated the twist, the real jaw-dropper came post-reveal.
We find ourselves in uneasy territory reminiscent of Soylent Green. Yes, they eat people. The crystals used for that peculiar brown liquid? They’re made from human remains.
Following the catastrophic Joining, countless bodies were left in its wake. Some individuals couldn’t handle the transition—RIP, Helen—while others met unfortunate fates during blackouts. Plus, we can’t forget the massive casualties from the Others’ chaotic reactions to Carol’s episodes.
In all, there are presumably countless corpses hidden away, and probably an abundance of body parts packaged neatly in warehouses worldwide.
Equipped with this horrifying revelation, Carol films another video before setting off for Las Vegas, hoping to find a fellow “survivor” to discuss these alarming developments face-to-face. Mr. Diabaté is living a lavish lifestyle in Sin City, reveling in the attention from the Others who indulge him in his rich playboy fantasies.
It’s fascinating to see how the Others maintain this act, particularly as Carol’s perspective shifts. Do they, for example, change personality completely when she’s not around? When Carol unexpectedly storms into Diabaté’s opulent hotel suite, she’s shocked to learn he’s aware of her previous videos, but even more astonished by his casual comments regarding their unsettling dietary practices.
“Is this about them eating people?” he asks. Not only that, but he has an informative video ready to go, hosted by a familiar face: “Hello Carol! We’re John Cena, here to answer your questions about our food supply.”
Cena outlines that the Others cannot kill or harm any form of life, including plants, unless it falls naturally. Thus, their dietary options are severely restricted. The situation is dire; with over seven billion Others needing food daily, their choices are slim.
This brings us back to the liquid in those milk cartons Carol encountered in dumpsters around Albuquerque. It consists of locally sourced ingredients as well as “HDP”—short for “human-derived protein.” This resource cleverly converts the remains of approximately 100,000 people who die each day into nutrients.
According to Cena, they truly do not wish to resort to cannibalism; it’s simply a last resort due to their limited options. However, he assures Carol that they wouldn’t serve HDP unless she asked for it, which they know is highly unlikely, understanding that they still need to maintain distance from her.
This exposition is both clever and humorously done, providing a substantial twist to the series. Carol’s horror deepens when Diabaté admits he’s known about HDP for a week, ever since his friend told him in person.
“It is troubling,” he concedes to Carol’s dismay. He adds, “But I must admit, John Cena makes a compelling argument.” Diabaté reveals he has been in touch with the other survivors, excluding Manousos, who remains isolated in Paraguay. As Carol absorbs this information, she realizes not only has the Others abandoned her, but also the other survivors have deemed her “disruptive.”
This realization stings more than the notion of cannibalism among the Others. Carol has seen enough sci-fi to recognize the implications, but being ostracized by her fellow survivors hits harder. The Others being cannibals isn’t a massive surprise, but the fact that her peers believe she’s too much of a risk to keep around is devastating.
It hurts. The following day, when Carol suggests lingering in Vegas, Diabaté’s dread becomes palpable. He clearly wishes to return to his carefree life, prompting Carol to rescind her comments and claim she’ll head back to Albuquerque.
Before she leaves, though, she asserts that unless the Others start picking apples, they are essentially dooming themselves to starvation. “They are doing this to themselves—choosing to starve,” she expresses, hinting at the deeper themes of Pluribus.
“There is a way to reverse this,” she insists, emphasizing her determination to find a solution. Diabaté reveals an essential detail; the Others can’t turn the survivors into hive-minders without consent, and he plans to hold onto his freedom. Carol echoes this sentiment, making it clear she would not consent either.
With that imminent threat lifted, Carol finds a sliver of hope. Meanwhile, Manousos, thousands of miles away, watches her video closely, before gathering his things and setting off on a road trip of his own. Is he heading toward Albuquerque, possibly to reconnect with his last friend? That journey promises to be a lengthy one, but eager viewers are sure to find out soon in future episodes of Pluribus.
New episodes of Pluribus drop every Friday on Apple TV.
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