Pluribus Episode 7 “The Gap” Recap: Manousos’s Journey and Carol’s Isolation

Episode 7 of Pluribus, titled “The Gap”, really showed the differences between Manousos and Carol, and I kept thinking about what will happen when their paths finally cross. I felt drawn into both their struggles in a way that was hard to shake.

Manousos’s Dangerous Journey

Manousos’s journey is intense. He is traveling from Paraguay toward Albuquerque, New Mexico, facing the Darien Gap along the way. The landscapes looked so alive that it felt like the show was daring me to look away. I admire how he sticks to his moral code. When he chants, “My name is Manousos Oviedo. I am not one of them. I wish to save the world”, and leaves money for the gas he took, it shows he is trying to do the right thing even when everything is falling apart.

Burning his car was classic Manousos, he was making a statement. That moment showed how unshakable he is and how deeply he resents the Plurbs. His speech “You cannot give me anything because all that you have is stolen” was powerful and commanding, leaving no doubt he won’t bend to them. When he said Carol’s name, thinking of her, I could feel the weight of his determination and emotion.

Carol’s Reckless Isolation

Carol’s path is almost the opposite. After Vegas, she spends her “Month Off” acting on impulses—stealing cars, taking artwork, and playing urban golf. I personally would’ve stayed at the hot springs after robbing a library, but Carol’s actions feel heavier, like each one hides some inner pain.

Being alone for 48 days after the Hive left her was brutal. Her calm reaction to danger, like when a firework nearly hit her, was unsettling. Watching her finally face the possibility of death made me realize just how much the isolation affected her mind.

Emotional Climax and Hive Manipulation

Carol finally reaches out to the Hive after weeks of torment. Seeing her hug and cry in front of Zosia felt complicated. At first, I felt relief, she was getting comfort, but Zosia’s smug smile made me angry, cause it felt like it was manipulation!

The episode really shows "the gap" between Manousos and Carol. Manousos refuses the Hive even when he’s in danger, while Carol surrenders because loneliness became too much. When they meet, that tension will probably explode. I think Manousos might see Carol as giving in too easily, and that will make the next episodes even more intense. I’m curious to see how it all unfolds.