Vince Gilligan Returns to Sci-Fi Roots with Ambitious New Drama
After conquering the crime drama landscape with Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, creator Vince Gilligan ventures into uncharted territory with Pluribus, a genre-bending sci-fi series premiering on Apple TV+. The nine-episode first season showcases Better Call Saul breakout star Rhea Seehorn in a tour-de-force performance that demonstrates why this collaboration was inevitable.
A Fresh Take on Post-Apocalyptic Storytelling
Pluribus presents an intriguing premise that flips traditional body-snatcher narratives. The series follows Carol Sturka, a cynical romance novelist portrayed by Seehorn, who discovers she’s among twelve people immune to an extraterrestrial phenomenon. This mysterious event transforms humanity into a unified consciousness exhibiting relentless optimism and cooperation—challenging viewers to question whether this transformation represents salvation or subjugation.
Rhea Seehorn Delivers Career-Defining Performance
Seehorn’s portrayal of Carol stands as the series’ beating heart. As a self-loathing artist battling addiction and grief, she navigates emotional extremes with remarkable authenticity. The role demands everything from broad comedy to devastating vulnerability, often within single episodes featuring minimal dialogue. Her ability to convey complex internal struggles through subtle expressions alone justifies Emmy consideration.
Visual Mastery and Atmospheric Brilliance
Gilligan’s signature visual storytelling remains exceptional. Filming in his beloved Albuquerque, he captures the stark beauty of New Mexico’s landscapes—endless skies, red dust, and desolate highways—creating poignant contrast between Carol’s vast physical world and shrinking emotional existence. The production proudly declares “This show was made by humans,” rejecting artificial intelligence in favor of authentic craftsmanship.
Pluribus successfully merges horror, comedy, and philosophical inquiry into compelling television. While some episodes lean heavily into experimental territory with extended quiet sequences, the series rewards patient viewers with thought-provoking commentary on isolation, humanity, and connection. Gilligan proves he’s no one-trick pony, delivering fresh, original storytelling that honors his X-Files roots while carving entirely new ground.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Pluribus streams exclusively on Apple TV+, with new episodes releasing weekly.
