The episode begins in 1981, as (Charlie Carver) discovers the death of Dr. Hannah Wells (Billie Lourd). The Tapes: Adam recovers Hannah's research tapes and notes.
Listening to her final moments, Adam realizes that the illness killing her—caught after he impregnated her—is the same "mysterious pathogen" affecting his friends and gay patients. [S11E10] Requiem 1981/1987: Part 2
The story then jumps forward, following the slow, agonizing decline of (Joe Mantello). The episode begins in 1981, as (Charlie Carver)