Craig Mazin

Frank, who is terminally ill, asks his partner Bill to help him end his life after one final perfect day together. He outlines a plan for their last hours, emphasizing his love and the peace he seeks in Bill's arms.

Joel returns home from work to a surprise birthday gift from his daughter, Sarah, and they share a tender moment. Later that night, a phone call from Joel's brother, Tommy, is cut short, and Sarah discovers a terrifying nationwide pandemic unfolding, forcing Joel to protect her from an infected neighbor.

A seasoned veteran explains the grim reality of the radiation safety protocols to a naive new recruit. He reveals that the official measurements are falsified to keep men working in the disaster zone, highlighting the systemic negligence and the expendability of the liquidators.

Bacho attempts to comfort a young recruit who is struggling with the emotional weight of his first kill during the liquidator operations. He shares a grim story from his time in Afghanistan to illustrate the hardening of one's soul in the face of duty.

Joel and Tess, smugglers in a post-apocalyptic world, discuss a botched deal and Tess's injuries. They discover their associate, Robert, has double-crossed them and set out to find him before a rival group, the Fireflies, does.

Boris Shcherbina calls Valery Legasov to inform him of an accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. While Shcherbina attempts to downplay the severity of the situation, Legasov immediately recognizes the danger of the reported radiation levels, leading to a tense exchange about authority and expertise.