In ‘Pluribus,’ Vince Gilligan examines humanity’s right to be unhappy

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Vince Gilligan, the creator of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” is returning to his science fiction beginnings with a new series called “Pluribus.” It starts streaming on Apple TV this Friday, as the platform aims to become a leading source for high-quality sci-fi shows.

Rhea Seehorn, known for her role as Kim Wexler in the six-season series “Saul,” now plays Carol Sturka, a popular but unfulfilled author of historical romance novels. Despite considering her writing “mindless,” it’s brought her financial success. Carol is both personally and professionally linked to Helen (played by Miriam Shor), who also manages her. The two live in Albuquerque, New Mexico – the same setting as “Breaking Bad” and “Saul” – but viewers shouldn’t anticipate any connections between these shows.

A message received from space is converted into a genetic code and then created in a lab. This creation quickly spreads around the world as a kind of virus, affecting everyone except for Carol and a small handful of others. It’s described as a force that connects people mentally, like the hive minds seen in science fiction classics such as “Star Trek’s” Borg and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” What’s truly unsettling is that those infected become overly friendly and eager to help – almost like members of a cult inviting you to join them. The title, “Pluribus,” refers to the phrase “e pluribus unum” – “out of many, one” – found on U.S. currency, hinting at the story’s theme of collective unity.

Gilligan explores themes of happiness and the freedom to be unhappy, but his work doesn’t feel like a direct critique of society. As an artist, though, he likely prefers relationships that are imperfect and complex. His post-apocalyptic world, free of crime, war, and even zoos, is strangely devoid of joy. Ultimately, even content zombies don’t make for compelling television, though it might sometimes seem that way.

Television

For his first project since “Breaking Bad,” Vince Gilligan chose Rhea Seehorn to star in Apple TV’s “Pluribus,” where she portrays a deeply unhappy character.

Helen’s departure marks a shift in the series, and Carol will now primarily interact with Zosia (Karolina Wydra), who acts as a representative for the larger group. This group is focused on understanding and overcoming Carol’s unique resistance while also ensuring her well-being – they’re even worried about her drinking enough water. Unlike Carol and a few others, most people are connected to a collective consciousness, granting them access to all knowledge and experience – which can sometimes make them overly critical. However, Zosia, with her individual personality and physical presence, stands out as a distinct and relatable character, both for the audience and for Carol.

It doesn’t affect the show’s quality, but I’ve noticed something unusual and welcome: the cast is made up of mostly middle-aged and older actors. The streets are often deserted, and there aren’t many characters overall. Seehorn is 53, Wydra is 44, and Vesga, playing Manousos, is 49 and seems poised to play a key role later in the season. At 42, Samba Schutte, who plays Mr. Diabaté, is the youngest member of the main cast, while Gilligan is 58. But I’m getting off topic.

The show gets going quickly, but then settles into a deliberate pace – it’s slow-moving, but consistently engaging. Long stretches pass with little or no dialogue. Rhea Seehorn dominates much of the series and is fantastic, portraying a character who is bewildered, resourceful, accepting, and driven as she tries to make sense of a world she didn’t create. She’s a frustrated and complex person stuck in a seemingly simple society. Despite its serious themes, the show is fundamentally a comedy. We see her coping with life by drinking, watching old episodes of “The Golden Girls” (with a memorable Betty White quote about perspective), driving a borrowed police car in a town without police, playfully destroying property, and even attempting to solve mysteries like Nancy Drew, all in a desperate attempt to restore order. But the central question becomes: will she be able to change the world, or will the world change her first?

The show’s creator, Gilligan, has established certain limitations for the world and abilities of the main character, Carol, primarily to drive the plot forward. The first season will consist of nine episodes (seven of which critics have seen), with a second season already confirmed. However, the ultimate direction of the story remains uncertain. As Carol herself observes, “We’ve all seen this movie and we know it does not end well,” suggesting the show might defy expectations.

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2025-11-07 14:33