Also, for the purposes of subverting tropes and generating conflict, to have *no one* agree with her is refreshing. I strongly suspect, though, she'll meet more who agree with her (either undiscovered immune, or some of those she already met who'll eventually change their minds).

Yes, no one Carol met agreed with her, but they also all didn't agree with each other. Some didn't like it but felt powerless, some were neutral, and some (Diabate, specifically) actively liked it for selfish reasons.

I don't think Vince Gilligan thinks non-US citizens are stupid or make bad choices. I think, statistically, more non-US citizens would have been immune to the joining (aren't all but Diabate from Asia?) and live different lifestyles that would yield different reactions.

Could be a thing where it's from a "warp-capable" species that plants broadcast beacons all over, hoping they hit pay dirt. (That raises questions of "why broadcast about RNA specifically, of course.)
Either way, the signal feels like it's softening Earth for future invaders.

Predictions:
1) Things will go poorly for the other unaffected Carol met (if we ever see them again), and some will join her
2) There are other unaffected that the joined are unaware of (there are ways this can happen)
3) The joined are faking their "you got mad at us" seizures to manipulate Carol

Can't wait until the climax of the finale when Rhea Seehorn will triumphantly say "It's pluribin' time"

If anything, it makes them even worse, preventing women (or anyone, regardless of gender) from showing emotion, which makes them more the villains. If a show's *protagonists* punished showing anger, that'd be terrible. (TBH, I think the joined are faking those seizures to manipulate her further).

FWIW, Vince Gilligan had this all mapped out plot-wise, and it was going to star a man, but she enjoyed working with Rhea Seehorn so much, he rewrote it to focus on her.

My takeaway wasn't the show saying "emotional women are bad"--after all, it's the villains who are penalizing shows of anger?

The number of people who didn't realize that <redacted> at the start of episode 2 was also <redacted> throughout most of the rest of episode 2, per posts I've seen and articles on the subject, are notable.

1) Notably she's the most abrasive (not counting Laxshmi)
2) Might be others the joined aren't aware of; maybe their count of 11 is only whom they've interacted with
3) Also, statistically, assuming millions who'd be on Carol's died, it's possible those left would be split the way they are

Yep

Probably won't see him again as USDA Undersecretary Taffler, but would be great if he popped up again, he nailed that small but crucial role. Even got a few laughs in--"We feel like we're the only ones talking here." "We don't know, it just does!" "...and he was wearing a suit." good stuff.

I know Alex & co. try to avoid repeating themselves to often (or at least spacing out identical or similar tasks across seasons) but I'd love it if THIS specific task became sort of a standard one we all look forward to each season

Notably, the only goal "they" have described so far is catering to Carol's every whim (well, that, and eventually making her one of them). Hope the penny drops soon on what the goal of the joined is, even if it's not their actual goal.

Severance: what if vast unknown forces disconnected yourself from yourself?
Pluribus: what if vast unknown forces connected yourself with every other self?

(To be clear, I love both shows)

Without spoiling too much, I think in episode 3 we meet someone else who is very much in Carol's camp (and I suspect we'll meet more of them as the show goes along). Fingers crossed!

I also think from a pure statistical perspective that it's also fair this could happen. Out of 8 billion people, only 11 people weren't affected--but they all came from different life experiences, and have only dealt with it for a few days. I'm guessing they'll face consequences soon enough though.

I noticed that too, but I think he didn't have anyone in that group agree with her to, like much of what he's done so far, upend expectations for zombie/invasion stories. Usually all the survivors want the same thing. But... what if that didn't happen? What then?