Vince Gilligan, the creative force behind television’s Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, returns with Pluribus, a sci-fi series for Apple TV that subverts genre expectations. The show isn’t about explosions or alien invasions; it’s a character-driven exploration of societal control, happiness, and the unsettling implications of forced utopia.
The premise is deceptively simple. Carol (played with fierce intensity by Rhea Seehorn, a Better Call Saul alum) is a successful author of pulp fiction. Her comfortable life is shattered when a mysterious radio signal sweeps across the planet, altering nearly everyone’s mental state. Those affected experience a blissful, unified contentment, while Carol remains unaffected, becoming a reluctant outsider in a world that now regards her as an anomaly.
The signal, first detected 439 days prior to the show’s opening, broadcasts a base-four pattern repeating every 78 seconds from 600 light years away. Its exact origin remains unknown, but its effect is undeniable: those touched by it abandon individual grievances and embrace collective harmony. The show doesn’t rush to explain the science; instead, it focuses on Carol’s reaction to being one of the few unaffected, making her the unwilling focal point of a society determined to “fix” her.
Pluribus excels in its deliberate pacing. It’s not a show that spoon-feeds answers or relies on predictable twists. Instead, it builds tension through character interactions and Carol’s growing awareness of her isolation. The show poses unsettling questions: can true happiness be imposed? What happens when individual will clashes with collective contentment?
The series doesn’t shy away from the darker implications of its premise. Carol is monitored, studied, and relentlessly pursued by those who believe her unhappiness is a flaw to be corrected. The show draws parallels to psychological thrillers like Stephen King’s Misery, but on a planetary scale.
Pluribus isn’t a typical sci-fi spectacle. It’s a slow burn, driven by character rather than special effects. Its deliberate ambiguity and refusal to offer easy answers may frustrate some viewers, but its willingness to explore uncomfortable ideas makes it a standout in the genre.
With a second season already confirmed, Pluribus has the potential to deliver a truly unforgettable narrative. If Gilligan’s previous work is any indication, the show is likely to build to a devastating and thought-provoking climax.
Ultimately, Pluribus isn’t just about a mysterious signal; it’s about the price of happiness and the dangers of sacrificing individuality for the sake of collective contentment
