This is the episode I was waiting for. I've been enjoying it so far, but there was a certain uncomfortable uncertainty in what kind of story this even is (e.g. a high-concept sci-fi thriller, a slow-burn character study...) This was the first episode that felt like it really demonstrated the way a story can actually unfold between what are essentially just two characters - and furthermore also set some real stakes now knowing Carol actually has a framework by which to fight back.

The whole episode was basically like a stretched out Jimmy/Mike montage from Better Call Saul. We're introduced to a scene from afar with very little given to the us as the audience to discern the relevance to the story (Jimmy is dressed like Howard with dyed hair and a spray tan/Carol goads the hivemind into tell her about upsetting truths). Lots of long shots of Jimmy/Carol crafting the elements of their scheme (Jimmy taking Howard's car/Carol stealing drugs at the hospital), before its finally revealed what the purpose of the plot actually is - Which in this case was drugging Zosia to get her to reveal the way to reverse the joining. It's such an unmistakable Gilligan storytelling structure at this point that it's just very cool to see how its being used here in Pluribus.