The post-apocalyptic sci-fi series Pluribus, created by the visionary Vince Gilligan (of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fame), is the new television event everyone is talking about—and for good reason. It has quickly become the most-watched show in Apple TV history, surpassing all expectations with its truly audacious premise.
Set primarily in Albuquerque, the series follows Carol Sturka, a successful romance novelist, who finds herself isolated after an alien virus transforms the rest of humanity into a peaceful, content hive mind known as the “Others”. The show’s title, Pluribus, is a nod to e pluribus unum (“Out of many, one”), setting the stage for a profound philosophical inquiry.
The world of Pluribus is a seeming utopia—everyone is kind, thoughts are shared, and conflict is nonexistent. Yet, Gilligan asks a chilling question: What is the cost of absolute agreement? For Carol, a fiercely independent and deeply grieving woman, this enforced happiness is a terrifying nightmare, made worse by the Others’ polite yet relentless desire to assimilate her.
Rhea Seehorn delivers a masterful, must-watch performance as Carol. She embodies the fury and despair of a misanthrope trapped in a world that only wants her to be happy, forcing viewers to interrogate the value of individuality and rage in a completely homogeneous society. Carol’s very existence, her refusal to be subsumed, becomes an existential threat to the collective.
With a slow-burn narrative, Pluribus cleverly functions as both a bizarre sci-fi mystery and a psychological portrait of a woman fighting for her right to feel, even if that feeling is anger. It is an intelligent and powerful series that utilises its futuristic setup to explore issues of inalienable rights, moral duty, and even the dynamics of abusive relationships.
The Verdict: Essential viewing. It’s a compelling and thought-provoking drama that will spark lively discussions.
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