As I delved deeper into Episode 6 of Pluribus, a few observations surfaced that underscore the unique brilliance of Vince Gilligan's vision. This show, were it not under his auspices, would likely fizzle into obscurity. Take "HDP" as an example—an episode that thrives in its odd quietude and lengthy stretches of nothingness, a contrarian approach that most editors would dismiss as redundant. Yet, here, it's not just an exercise in nothingness; it's a tapestry woven with big revelations and an unexpected cameo, all threaded together by periods of near-silence. Under normal circumstances, such an approach would be unfathomable. But in the context of Pluribus, where we're nearing the climax of a story about a misanthrope caught in the midst of history's most polite alien invasion, and with only three episodes left to unravel an increasingly intricate mystery, "HDP" feels remarkably crucial.
The first big revelation concerns Carol's discovery in the Agri-Jet warehouse—a veritable treasure trove of vacuum-packed human remains. Comically shot like a found-footage horror due to Carol's vlogging decision, it's both hilarious and poignant. The revelation that the aliens are feeding on humans is immediately apparent, and with the uncertainty surrounding whether they've disseminated her previous messages as instructed, Carol is left with a dilemma: can she trust them to air this latest video, which she rightly sees as the most damning yet? Instead, she drives to personally deliver it to Diabate.
Diabate's living out a James Bond-style fantasy in the penthouse suite of Las Vegas's Westgate Hotel—a scene Gilligan excels at crafting, even if it meanders longer than necessary with a card game between Diabate and a stand-in for Emilio Largo. Pluribus luxuriates in this excess, making it ridiculous on multiple levels but also fittingly absurd given Diabate's delusional fantasy. And the ability to live out such fantasies unhindered is the primary argument in favor of the alien invasion remaining as-is.
Part of what makes this episode feel so chilling is the Others' en masse departure. Just as they abandoned Albuquerque after Carol forced their hand by drugging Zosia, they also leave Vegas as soon as they realize she's on her way there—presumably needing some space. But they still have obligations to consider: they must keep telling the truth and providing what Carol and Diabate want, as long as they ask for it. So when Diabate reveals he already knew about the "eating people" thing, the Others provide a personal explanation via John Cena, hopefully to ease Carol's mind.
In a nutshell: Yes, the Others are indulging in a macabre feast, consuming not mere humans but "Human Derived Protein" (HDP) as they cannot slay any living creature, including plants, thus limiting their diet to processed foods and non-harmful acquisitions such as milk from living animals or apples that have fallen from their branches. They're not particularly fond of sourcing protein from the 100,000+ people who pass away daily due to natural causes, but necessity dictates. Carol is assured by them that she'll never be served HDP unless she requests it—ensuring her continued consumption of the finest available fare.
Diabate already knew this thanks to his chance encounter with Cena (a fantasy of his to befriend a celebrity, of course), where he wondered why the Others were imbibing so much milk. But that's not all he's learned. He's also been informed that the only way for the Others to integrate the remaining immune individuals into their hive mind is by adapting the virus, which entails harvesting their stem cells. However, being an invasive procedure, they can't do it without consent. This means that Carol, Diabate, and the few others remaining are essentially safe from assimilation. Carol immediately confirms this by dialing the helpline from the nearest phone and demanding confirmation, which comes in the form of a towering digital billboard.
The revelation leaves Carol at a crossroads. The more she discovers, the more reasonable and apologetic the Others seem to be; she's starting to look like the villain in this tale. Diabate has managed to gather significantly more information than she has by simply playing along. He's still in contact with other English-speaking immune people who voted against including her in their Zoom group due to her past actions. Despite his claim to be just a phone call away, it's clear that Diabate's heart isn't in it; he's not the ally Carol thinks he is because he'd rather not spend much time with her, which is a sobering realization indeed.
The Pluribus Episode 6 concludes with a suggestion that Carol's only hope for understanding lies with someone even more reclusive than herself—Manousos, who has rejected the Others' overtures even more forcefully. In a serene sequence at the end of the episode, we see him receive Carol's first video message and set out for Albuquerque to find her. But what end does he seek?
