Why Did the Others Give the Bomb to Carol? 'Pluribus' Creator Vince Gilligan Has an Answer

Despite Carol openly declaring her intention to fight them, the aliens gave her the most powerful weapon on Earth: an atomic bomb.

This paradoxical gesture demanded an explanation. In an interview with Variety, show creator Vince Gilligan revealed the logic behind the invaders' actions.

What Happened in 'Pluribus' Season 1 Finale?

Carol is one of twelve people immune to the alien virus. She learned a shocking truth: the Others had found a way to connect her to the hive mind against her will, and they had about a month to do so.

Realizing that time was running out, Carol took a desperate step. Taking advantage of the aliens' earlier promise to grant her any wish for her "voluntary" happiness, she demanded an atomic bomb.

After receiving the weapon, she went to see Manousos, another person immune to the virus, to develop a plan to save humanity. This put the Others in a position where they had armed their greatest enemy themselves.

Despite the Fact That the Woman Wanted to Destroy Them, the Infected Gave Carol the Bomb

At first glance, the Others' decision seems like an absurd strategic error. Why would you give the enemy the means to potentially destroy themselves?

However, their motivation is not rooted in the logic of war as we understand it but in a fanatical desire to bring "happiness" to everyone. They don't see Carol as an enemy but as a lost soul who must be brought back into the fold by any means necessary.

Rather than coercing her by force, they seek to seduce her by fulfilling her desires and demonstrating their superiority through absolute dominance. In this paradigm, the bomb is not a weapon but another gift – an extreme concession designed to break Carol's will through her own request.

Vince Gilligan Explains Such a Strange Decision by the Others

Vince Gilligan provided a commentary revealing the Others' calculations:

“They contain multitudes. It's this constant tension between wanting to make her happy [and protecting themselves]. As horribly destructive as one atom bomb is… obviously, they don't want her to set it off.

But if she did – no pun intended – one atom bomb would not be the end of the world.”

Producer Alison Tatlock adds that the Others' numerical superiority gives them absolute confidence. They believe they will eventually convince Carol, viewing her rebellion as merely a temporary phase.

Thus, handing over the bomb is the ultimate act of arrogance and power. They demonstrate that, even after arming the enemy, they remain invulnerable and in control.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Pluribus'?

• Pluribus has 98% from critics and 68% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 8.2/10.

Where to Watch 'Pluribus'?

Pluribus is available to stream on Apple TV+.