Episode 7 of Sweet Tooth commences amidst the frigid polar icecaps, where scientists have stumbled upon a mysterious discovery. Embedded deep within the frozen tundra, something lies dormant, awaiting discovery. The collected samples are promptly dispatched to Fort Smith Scientific Research, nestled in the heart of Essex City, Colorado.
This provocative prologue sets the stage for a journey through the past, centering on the bustling hub of Fort Smith. Here, Pubba, alias Richard, toils as a humble janitor, yet his curiosity often leads him to peek into the lab's innermost secrets.
News of a looming flu epidemic begins to circulate, and Richard's attention is drawn to Birdie, a virologist working diligently in the lab with a quarantined patient. Later, at the bustling bar, fate brings them together again, and they strike up a conversation over their shared love of music and mutual appreciation for Red Rocks. A few shots are downed, sealing their budding bond.
Birdie's expertise as a virologist becomes increasingly evident, especially given the ominous events unfolding around them. Her previous project involved chickens, but she has been reassigned to a new task. After devoting a year to her prior research, the shift is disheartening, as her current project holds far greater promise. Richard's inquisitive nature prompts her to share vital insights about the deadly strain that has been unleashed.
The project's core lies in the exploration of microbes, specifically the hunt for a "beneficial" microbe that could pave the way for a vaccine. This involves injecting chicken eggs with various viruses and then attempting to cure them using a vaccine. However, the process is fraught with danger, and a single misstep could lead to catastrophic consequences.In the end, they both decided to return home for a relaxing nightcap. As they warmed up to each other, Birdie confessed that she had once been married but was now a widow. Her husband had succumbed to HPS, a rare disease that affected only 1% of the population. This tragic loss had propelled her to pursue a career in virology, with the aim of assisting others in similar situations.
However, just before their lips were about to meet, Birdie's work phone rang, interrupting the moment. She received urgent news that the military had confiscated everything. Without hesitation, Richard drove her to the lab, and the two cautiously sneaked in as the military's presence swarmed outside.
Returning to the present, Gus, Bear, and Jepp arrived at Sal's bar, the familiar haunt that had been a constant in these flashbacks. As they sat outside, they noticed smoke billowing out of a chimney in the distance. It was coming from Birdie's house, which prompted Gus to rush up and pound on the door. A woman answered and reached out to him, but it wasn't Birdie. Instead, it was one of her colleagues from work, Judy.
As they settled into their seats and engaged in conversation, she unveiled a profound secret - Birdie had saved her life. However, the woman who had been such a guardian angel was now absent from their lives. One fateful night, she had hurriedly packed her belongings and embarked on a perilous journey to locate Gus. It has been ten long years since that night, and no trace of her has been found. It's assumed that the virus claimed her life, but is that truly the case?
Gus, however, holds a different perspective. Fort Smith, the town where the outbreak initially took root, seems to be the linchpin connecting everyone's fates. He firmly believes that the answers to their questions lie within its confines.
Judy handed over a key to the attic, unexpectedly throwing a wrench into their investigation. As they ascended the stairs and began rummaging through Birdie's belongings, Bear's attention was drawn to a document detailing a project named "Genetic Unit Series 1," or GUS for short. This revelation was stunning - Gus was the genesis of everything that had unfolded.
That evening, flashbacks of Richard and Birdie's past actions came to the fore. They had worked together to spirit Gus away from danger and evade the authorities. It soon became apparent that Birdie wasn't Gus's biological mother, and she made a crucial decision. She entrusted Richard with the task of safeguarding Gus while she returned to her lab to destroy her research, ensuring that no trace of it remained.
With a lockdown looming, she promised Richard that she would find him and keep him safe. Left with the helpless baby, Richard's isolation and subsequent hurried escape to hide out in Yellowstone National Park now made sense.
