Improving Carol’s Lackluster Board Game Collection in Pluribus

Following nearly six weeks of total seclusion, Carol Sturka (portrayed by Rhea Seehorn) finally reaches her breaking point in the closing moments of Pluribus episode 7, pleading for the collective consciousness to return. When her handler, Zosia (Karolina Wydra), arrives to offer comfort, Carol is overcome with emotion. However, by episode 8, the initial relief has morphed into social friction. Struggling to find common ground, Zosia suggests a board game as a way to bridge the gap, bringing to light Carol’s surprisingly large—yet strangely out-of-character—tabletop collection.

A glimpse into Carol’s cabinet reveals a hoard of high-energy party titles such as Hues and Cues, Cranium, and Balderdash. It’s possible these were optimistic purchases made by her partner, Helen (Miriam Shor). Yet, considering Carol’s established reputation as a cynical misanthrope with a limited social circle prior to the series premiere, it’s hard to imagine these games seeing much action. Classics like Monopoly usually gather dust without children around, and staples like Risk or Settlers of Catan lose their competitive edge with only two players. Aside from Bananagrams and Chess, very little in her stash feels authentic to her lifestyle.

Carol deserves a library that actually reflects her intellect and interests. We’ve curated a list of games that better align with the atmosphere of Pluribus, function perfectly for a duo, and lean into the few things Carol truly treasures.

6
SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

The inciting incident of Pluribus involves SETI researchers stumbling upon a cosmic blueprint for an RNA sequence—a message later revealed to originate from the star Kepler-22. Tomáš Holek’s SETI tasks players with a similar mission: scanning the heavens for signs of life. This intricate strategy title, which earned top honors at the 2025 SPIEL Essen fair, features a robust solo mode. It’s the perfect outlet for Carol to indulge her analytical mind while attempting to make contact with the unknown.

5
Ticket to Ride

Episode 8 unveils a poignant detail: Carol harbors a deep-seated love for locomotives, finding solace in the lonesome echo of a train whistle. While Ticket to Ride lacks a soundtrack, Carol could certainly provide her own sound effects while claiming transcontinental routes. This modern classic is a quintessential entry point into Eurogames, offering various iterations including a compelling legacy version. The methodical process of building the longest rail line would likely provide Carol with a sense of order and quiet satisfaction.

4
Love Letter

Despite her outward disdain for the “low-brow” romantasy novels she pens, Carol’s enthusiasm when discussing her latest chapters with Zosia betrays her true feelings. Love Letter, a streamlined game of risk and deduction centered on delivering a missive to a princess, mirrors the themes of her writing. Beyond the thematic link, its reliance on reading opponents’ intentions would be an excellent way for Carol to test the social intuition of the “Others.”

3
Forgotten Waters

Carol built her career on swashbuckling pirate tales, and while she might claim to be above the genre, she’d likely find herself engrossed in the narrative-heavy Forgotten Waters. This app-enhanced experience allows players to inhabit unique pirate personas, each with their own personal arcs. From supernatural encounters on the high seas to navigating crew politics, it offers the kind of immersive, whimsical storytelling that Carol secretly excels at.

2
Sky Team

Sky Team is the definitive two-player experience, making it an ideal companion for Carol and Helen’s travels—even if Carol would grumble about the flight anxiety it might induce. As pilot and co-pilot, players must work in silent coordination to land an aircraft safely across various global scenarios. It’s compact, fast-paced, and evolves in difficulty, demanding the kind of unspoken synergy that characterizes Carol’s most meaningful relationships.

1
Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game

While Carol currently owns Partners in Crime, that party-centric title is a poor substitute for the gritty procedural work she actually enjoys. Detective offers a deep, interconnected web of cases that would appeal to the same instincts Carol used while investigating food-processing facilities. The game requires careful time management and an eye for detail, as seemingly minor clues often hold the key to the larger mystery—a perfect match for a woman who spends her nights obsessing over a whiteboard.

Source: Polygon