Vince Gilligan’s Alternate Pluribus Title Would Have Doomed The 100% RT Apple TV Show

by

The new Apple TV+ sci-fi series Pluribus, from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, almost went by a different name, which could have changed how viewers received it. The show premiered with two episodes on November 7, 2025, and centers around a captivating mystery.

Featuring Rhea Seehorn, known for her role in Better Call Saul, as Carol Sturka, the story centers on a cynical romance fantasy author. Carol is one of only thirteen people unaffected by a genetic mutation that has connected everyone else’s minds, creating a single, unified consciousness.

Apple TV has ordered a second season of Pluribus, and given the show’s positive reception, creators Vince Gilligan and Rhea Seehorn could potentially continue it for many years. Pluribus initially received a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and currently holds a 99% rating, making it Gilligan’s highest-rated series. The show’s success might have been at risk if it had a different name.

“Be Kind, Remind” Was One of the Titles Vince Gilligan Considered for Pluribus

©Apple TV+/Courtesy Everett Collection

Gilligan revealed he considered more than 100 different titles for Pluribus, and jokingly called “Be Kind, Remind” the absolute worst. However, he admitted he could see why it was even considered.

The virus behind the events in Pluribus has transformed everyone on Earth – except for Carol and a small group of twelve others – into incredibly intelligent and peaceful individuals who simply want to be helpful. They’re all connected telepathically, sharing a collective knowledge and personality. This means someone with no prior experience, like a former TGI Fridays employee, could suddenly pilot a plane, or a child could perform complex medical procedures. However, they mostly use these abilities to cater to Carol’s every need.

The group’s biggest problem is Carol’s tendency towards negativity. When she becomes very angry, everyone around her experiences a dangerous, synchronized seizure, leading to widespread devastation. If Carol can learn to be more positive, she could prevent these catastrophic events and save countless lives.

“Be Kind, Remind” Would Have Been a Terrible Title for Pluribus

Honestly, before Pluribus came out, the hype was all about the mystery. They kept the plot super under wraps, and all the promotion was this simple yellow poster with the title and Rhea Seehorn’s face—it just said “from the creator of Breaking Bad.” A lot of people, myself included, were tuning in just to see what it was all about. But that opening title card option, “Be Kind, Remind,” immediately signaled this wasn’t going to be anything like what we expected.

I was immediately hooked by the first episode! It really throws you into the chaos of the day everything changed – it felt so tense, creepy, and like the end of the world was happening. It’s heartbreaking to see Carol’s manager and girlfriend, Helen, get infected and quickly succumb. The episode follows Carol as she desperately searches for help, trying to navigate the streets filled with people falling ill. Honestly, the title ‘Be Kind, Remind’ just doesn’t seem to fit that dark, suspenseful vibe, especially since the show hasn’t revealed much about what ‘Pluribus’ actually is, even after watching the premiere.

What “Pluribus” Actually Means

The artwork for Pluribus cleverly replaced the ‘i’ in the title with a ‘1’. This is fitting because ‘pluribus’ is a Latin word meaning “many” or “from many.” You’ll often see it on U.S. money as part of the phrase E pluribus unum, which translates to “out of many, one.”

This line perfectly captures the show’s central idea: the genetic connection represents a complete merging of humanity. Everyone now shares all knowledge, experiences, and abilities. The series is much more complex than just a message about being nice. A simple title like “Be Kind, Remind” wouldn’t do it justice, whereas Pluribus encourages viewers to explore its deeper meaning.

Read More

2025-11-19 20:58