Tapping into the spirit of a cynic

Save the world or destroy it? 'Pluribus' finale deftly sets up a question for the ages.

- LORRAINE ALI NEWS AND CULTURE CRITIC

Apple RHEA Seehorn's Carol struggles to find a way to save humankind in "Pluribus."

Fellow misanthropes, Season 1 of "Pluribus" is done.

Now what do we do, other than lean into our usual harsh judgment and mistrust of others?

Our spirit series left us wondering who or what will put the final nail in humanity's collective coffin: an alien virus or a malcontent with an atomic bomb. As for saving everyone? Cranky protagonist Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) struggled to find ways to preserve the human race for much of the series, but by the finale, she was fairly convinced that the planet would be better off without us.

For those of you who haven’t kept up with the best show on television this year, Carol’s among 13 people left on Earth who are immune to an alien virus that’s otherwise fused all of humanity's consciousness together into one blissful hive mind. Now everyone thinks alike and has the same knowledge base, which means TGI Fridays waiters can pilot passenger planes and children can perform surgeries.

No one is an individual anymore. They simply occupy the body formerly known as Tom or Sally or whomever. “Us” is their chosen pronoun.