In the seventh episode of Pluribus, Carol's journey home is interrupted by a pit stop for gas, her request for a red Gatorade echoing through the drone's hustle as she busily stocks her car with a plethora of fireworks. Twelve days and 20 hours after the Joined, Carol is finally back home, setting off fireworks in the company of the howling wolves, their melodious cries mingling with the explosions.
After a round of golf, Carol switches cars when the police cruiser fails to start, setting off for Jemez Hot Springs with a hearty tune emanating from her lips. Her evening is further embellished by an art gallery visit, where she sings her way through the various displays.
That night, Carol celebrates her and Helen's anniversary with a lavish dinner, savoring dishes that span the years. Meanwhile, Manousos is on his way to join her, determinedly ignoring the Joined's offer of assistance despite their efforts to help. He's completely self-reliant, siphoning fuel from nearby cars and even taking English lessons to bridge the linguistic gap with Carol.
As Manousos is forced to go it alone when the dense jungle looms ahead, he's resolved not to rely on the Joined's help. He tells them his story of stolen possessions and his refusal to indulge in their aid. He burns his car and sets off into the jungle, his mantra of learning English echoing through the foliage. But fate has other plans, and he winds up hurting his back on spiky thorns.
Manousos cauterized the wounds and trudged on through the jungle, until exhaustion threatened to swallow him whole. His body gave in, and he collapsed to the earth, his vision dimming. But just when all seemed lost, a helicopter hovered overhead, and a brave soul rappelled down to pluck him up.
It had been 48 days and 16 hours since their Joining, and Carol's daily rituals of setting off fireworks and playing golf at home had turned somber. Her faith was dwindling, her once-melodic voice now silent.
Then, in the morning light, Zosia appeared, and Carol rushed forward, her arms outstretched, sobbing with relief. It turned out that earlier, in a moment of desperation, she had painted the words "come back" onto the ground. And the Joined had heard her plea - here they were now.
