Multibusthe new TV show from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, has made its Apple TV debut — and it’s wasting no time laying the groundwork for its overall mystery.
In fact, while many sci-fi dramas withhold their secrets for a number of episodes and/or seasons, Pluribus’ two-episode premiere explains what’s happened to almost everyone from the start.
Okay, so what has caused all but 13 people in the world, including protagonist Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), to suddenly form some kind of hive mind? Fortunately, Multibus forgoes the traditional ‘alien takeover/invasion’ storytelling trope, but that doesn’t mean aliens or cosmic matter aren’t part of its plot.
Basically, the mysterious signal first detected by astronomers at the start of ‘We Is Us’ contains a recipe for a nucleotide sequence that can form a molecule known as ribonucleic acid (RNA). These single-stranded polymers play a crucial role in numerous biological functions, as well as serving as the genetic material for some viruses.
It is the latter that seems to be at fault Multibus. In fact, as Davis Taffler, the U.S. government’s undersecretary for agriculture in the universe, explains to Carol—and us, by proxy—the aforementioned signal, located 600 light years from Earth, was discovered 14 months before the apocalyptic events that take place in Episode 1’s back half.
Unlike conventional radio broadcasts, it consists of four “tones” that correspond to different amino acids – proteins that are the building blocks of all life – called adenine, cytosine, guanine and uracil. This quartet forms a type of RNA that exists as part of the radio signal.
After recreating the sequence in a laboratory, the researchers began testing the sequence on rats using a gaseous substance.
Unsurprisingly, said experiment goes awry when one of the researchers is bitten by a rat. The drug enters the unlucky boffin’s system via the rat’s bite, transforming them into a happy human on autopilot who soon sets about infecting the rest of the lab’s human workforce.
Long story short: billions become infected and are joined by what Taffler describes as a “psychic glue” in a process that, as episode 2, titled ‘Pirate Lady’ reveals, is referred to as “The Joining”.
However, there are people who die as a result of this infection. People who succumb to it include Carol’s partner Helen, the President of the United States, and various other members of the government he assembled. Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of people worldwide also died through accidental means, such as crashing the vehicle they were driving when they became infected.
In total, as Zosia confirms in ‘Pirate Lady, over 886 million people died as those who were already part of ‘The Joining’ accelerated their plans to infect the rest of humanity after they were discovered by the military. Throw in the 11 million people Carol accidentally kills during her tantrum in episode 2, and nearly 900 million have lost their lives so far.
Predictably, not all questions are answered about “The Joining”, whatever caused it, and the true purpose of the infected Multibus‘ premiere in two episodes.
How did the RNA sequence/signal/organism spread across the globe? Why did some individuals die after being infected? Why is Carol and only 12 other people immune to it? And how will the rest of humanity try to assimilate Carol and her seemingly invulnerable companions?
I think the RNA infused gas has something to do with the first question. As for the rest, I fully expect answers to come during this season and/or Multibus‘ second outing, which was greenlit alongside its debut season in September 2022.
Pluribus episodes 1 and 2 are now out on Apple TV, also known as one of the world best streaming services. New chapters are posted weekly.
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