Pluribus' third episode is a little slower-paced than the Apple TV show's double-episode premiere, but its refusal to speed through the story makes room for some surprisingly playful moments. At the beginning of "Grenade," Pluribus focuses on a time before the world slipped into a disturbingly peaceful apocalypse, and the sequence is very interesting for an incredibly meta reason.
Apple TV's marketing made it very clear that Breaking Bad showrunner Vince Gilligan is also the creative mind behind Pluribus. So, there was never any doubt that the show was going to be in great hands and masterfully executed. The story so far has been a fresh spin on a relatively worn-out sci-fi trope that revolves around the end of the world. However, that doesn't mean Gilligan and company haven't found time to have some fun with the show's formula.
SPOILERS AHEAD for Pluribus season 1, Episode 3, "Grenade."
Pluribus' first scene in "Grenade" is a literal cold open — but what is a cold open?
Both TV shows and movies have a responsibility to credit those involved in making them, which is one of the origins of a title sequence. While most of the personnel aren't named until the end of the episode or movie, some of the key players have their names displayed near the start. For example, an episode's writer and/or director will often get a shout-out via their name being emblazoned on the screen. That said, the concept of a title sequence has also come to have another purpose.
The story is often not considered to have truly begun until the opening title sequence has rolled. Especially on television, the show's aesthetic and sonic identifiers are often embedded in these moments, instilling a sense of familiarity. Still, writers and directors frequently throw the audience right into the show's world for a few minutes without rolling the titles. This is known as a cold open. As in Gilligan's other shows, Pluribus episodes have a relatively short title sequence after each cold open. In this way, "Grenade" doesn't break any molds.
On the other hand, the cold open in "Grenade" is something of a fourth-wall breaker. The clever flashback sequence shows Helen (Miriam Shor) and Carol (Rhea Seehorn) during a vacation to a Norwegian ice hotel, and Seehorn's character makes several references to the fact that she's freezing. So, the old trope of a cold open becomes even more pronounced, thanks to the low temperature in the scene. It's a fun little nod to a time-honored TV tradition.
Why else the cold open in "Grenade" is interesting
Helen's death in Pluribus' first episode quickly became one of the show's formative moments. It not only highlighted the rapid spread of the Joining, but also made sure Carol was left to struggle through the story alone. So, Shor's role among the Pluribus cast looked to be incredibly minor while also being strangely vital. It was unclear if the show would find ways to bring her back, but "Grenade" proves it is willing to do just that.
With Helen's remains currently buried in Carol's back yard, the likelihood of Shor's return in any of Pluribus' present-day sequences feels very low — but not zero, this is sci-fi after all. Therefore, the only way Helen can play any further role in the story, at least physically, is if her relationship with Carol is fleshed out retroactively, just like during the ice hotel scene in "Grenade." This opens the door for more appearances from Miriam Shor as Pluribus continues.
Catch a new episode of Pluribus every Friday on Apple TV until the season 1 finale on December 26, 2025.