I’m already a big fan of Pluribus on Apple TV, but I’m very upset about a ridiculous detail that Vince Gilligan chose.

Warning: Spoilers ahead Multiple buses Follow sections 1-2.

Turns out, we were pretty excited about the new Apple TV Original Multiple busesmade of break the evil The brain Vince Gilligan.

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In the series, Rhea Seehorn plays Carol, a “terrible” book writer who is incredibly disillusioned with her life. Fortunately (depending on your point of view), that’s about to change completely, as a virus from alien technology turns 99.9% of humanity into hives. But Carol is one of only twelve people in the world who is immune to its effects.

In principle it is true Rick and Morty Episode (titled “Auto Erotic Assimilation” from Season 2, Episode 3) where Rick visits the Hive Mind planet he had an affair with… only without the weird sexual fantasies and the mountain of hamburgers.

However, there is a much more macabre message. Multiple buses‘Heart. The hive mind suggests that they will eventually figure out why Carol is immune and integrate her when millions of people die as the virus spreads. Carol seems to be the only one not affected in the US. This leaves them completely alone, with no close friends or close family to lean on (although they are no longer themselves, if you can keep track).

I have no doubt that episodes 1 and 2 of Multiple buses — now available to stream — are two of the best TV episodes of all of 2025, and the rest of the season is likely to be even better. But Carol’s loneliness, or rather the reason for it, is like a fly in my glass and almost spoils the whole experience.

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Pluribus “buried their gays” in their first episode.

Pluribus – Official Trailer | Apple TV YouTube

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If you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community or just interested in visual media, you may have heard the slogan “bury your gays.” In short, this explains the phenomenon of LGBTQIA+ characters in movies, television, and books being killed disproportionately more often than heterosexual characters.

the 100, Orange is the new black. AND game of thrones These are all current examples. Multiple buses now he joins the list and kills Carol’s partner Helen (Miriam Shor) when the virus spreads in the first episode.

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For that, you have to read between the lines to understand that Helen and Carol are a romantic couple. Helen works as a publicist for Carol, and it’s easy to mistake their professional relationship for a close friendship outside of work (eg, just friends).

Only after Helen’s death does the truth emerge, with images of the two scattered around Carol’s house and on her answering machine as Helen’s voice announces their plans together. This is what hits Carol the most at the end of episode 2, and honestly, I’m not far behind.

As an LGBTQIA+ viewer, it’s always disappointing when queer characters are the first to bite the bullet. Seeing it played out over and over without further explanation will negatively affect your confidence.

Sure, we have much wider representation now, but fictional LGBT relationships that fail due to death is something I’ve seen on screen since I was a kid… and it hasn’t gone away.

But I can give Gilligan and Apple TV the benefit of the doubt and hope they will help me provide a more detailed explanation of The Joining and why Carol is immune. Zosia (Karolina Wydra) explained that Helen was technically “wired” before her death, meaning the hive mind has access to all of her thoughts, feelings and memories.

With the threat of assimilation hanging over Carol’s head (despite constant assurances that she’s safe), it’s clear that we’re still a long way from understanding what that really means. Multiple buses. I just hope Helen didn’t die in vain, like so many characters before her.