Rhea Seehorn Reveals Deeper Meaning Behind Carol and Zosia’s Intimate Scene
Rhea Seehorn opens up about the emotional complexity behind Carol’s intimate moment in Pluribus, exploring themes of loneliness, connection, and the search for meaning beyond physical attraction.
Fans of Pluribus have been buzzing about the latest episode, where Carol and Zosia finally share a passionate moment. Karolina Wydra, who plays Zosia, told GamesRadar+ that the Stursia Nation—fans who ship the two characters—will be thrilled by this long-anticipated scene. The chemistry between Carol and Zosia has been building for a while, and the payoff is more than just a romantic milestone.
Layers of Loneliness and Longing
For Rhea Seehorn, who portrays Carol, the scene goes far beyond surface-level attraction.
“That’s probably one of the most complex moments that we filmed, because Carol has been very broken by this long period of isolation, which was not only lonely by itself – we see the mental toll it takes on her – but also it’s an existential crisis of loneliness, because it could go on forever,”
she explains. Carol’s struggle isn’t just about missing someone; it’s about facing the possibility of endless solitude. Seehorn adds,
“She’s just going to die alone in her house one day if she doesn’t choose to reach out. Yes, there’s chemistry. I mean, these people knew what they were doing when they sent her what she thought of as a physical ideal specimen of a woman. But she’s been so broken down [and] in need of anybody, any kind of companionship, that I think [this] is much larger than any sexual tension. [Carol is] also in a space where she almost is trying to will herself into believing the delusion that maybe I can just have a relationship with this person and give in. Because what is the alternative?”
Searching for Connection
Pluribus doesn’t offer easy answers. The show dives into the messy reality of human emotion, asking whether Carol is truly in love, desperate for company, or perhaps even projecting her feelings for her late wife, Helen, onto Zosia. Helen’s memories, after all, are still present in the hivemind. Carol herself is still sorting through her feelings, especially after The Others recreate her favorite diner—the place where she first dared to write.
Seehorn reflects on the ambiguity of the situation:
“It is both manipulative and kind at the same time, and Carol is trying to drill down on which one it is. In reality, the harder question is: what if it’s both, and how do we ever disentangle those two things in real life?”
Intimacy and Uncertainty
Wydra, speaking from her character’s perspective, focuses on the beauty of the moment itself.
“I think that moment is such a beautiful moment between them and for Carol. The moment of such isolation and the journey that she goes on – that finally she has this moment of feeling intimacy and coming together with someone in such an intimate way and connecting with someone.”
The scene is a turning point, not just for the characters, but for viewers who have followed their journey.
With the season finale on the horizon, the future of Carol and Zosia’s relationship remains uncertain. Will they become a new power couple, or will Carol find herself alone once again? Pluribus continues to challenge its audience, leaving the answers up for debate.
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