“Pluribus”: Be Happy, Definitely Worry

Writer-producer-director Vince Gilligan is probably best known as the creator of the revered television drama Breaking Bad, and co-creator (with Peter Gould) of its successful spin off, Better Call Saul. Long-time fans of his work will recall that he also worked as a writer and producer on The X-Files, penning thirty episodes of the classic science-fiction series, as well as producing and directing episodes for the show throughout its run. Gilligan recently returned to the sci-fi genre, creating and producing a show entitled Pluribus for Apple TV.

Pluribus is a compelling, offbeat series which, while on its surface is a science-fiction story, also features elements of black comedy, conspiracy thrillers, and post-apocalyptic dramas. The premise of the show is that a mysterious extraterrestrial virus transforms nearly all of the human race into a hive mind, except for a small handful of immune individuals. One of those immune to the virus is Carol Sturka, a romance novelist who’s something of a curmudgeon. Her wife dies as a result of the outbreak, and Carol becomes determined to find out what happened and figure out a way to reverse the effects of the virus.

The twist is that the virus has transformed humanity into a calm, peaceful, and happy collective, all of whom see their blissful new reality as a benefit. They hope to eventually share the newfound joy they feel with the small number of humans who seem immune to “the joining.” Carol defiantly maintains her individuality, while attempting to get the other immune individuals to rebel against the collective. She’s irascible, unhappy, and irritable, but her outward anger is a shell behind which hides a lonely person who wants love and companionship. She feels some attraction to the positive energy and good feelings those in the collective share with each other, despite her misgivings. She also discovers there may be a darker side to the joyful and serene new world created by the virus.

Carol is portrayed by Rhea Seehorn (“Kim Wexler” on Better Call Saul), and she’s terrific. Her performance is infused with intensity, emotion, plus subtlety and nuance. She recently earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama. The talented supporting cast includes Karolina Hydra as a member of the collective who befriends Carol, and Carlos Manuel Vesga as another of the group of humans immune to the virus.

Gilligan has noted that Pluribus was inspired by films such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Village of the Damned, The Omega Man, They Live, and The Truman Show, as well as the Twilight Zone. You can definitely sense the influence of those classics in the DNA of the series. Spoiler alert! There’s also an homage to the 1973 sci-fi film Soylent Green. The show features a distinctive visual style and color palette, which richly evokes the cinema of the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to the brilliant work of directors of photography Marshall Adams and Paul Donachie.

Pluribus presents a society filled with empathy, kindness, and unity, though that harmony is unnatural, and isn’t quite as perfect as it seems. The series is a thoughtful, sometimes unsettling exploration of individuality, happiness, and what it means to be human in a changed world.

The show has garnered critical praise and positive reviews, though there have also been viewers who feel the character of Carol is too off-putting, and that the plot of the series moves too slowly. These disparate opinions have inspired some passionate online debates.

The series presents a well-crafted tale about a society where community, happiness, and unity come at the cost of individuality. Like Vince Gilligan’s other work, it features a lead character who’s not necessarily likable but who we begin to understand as their journey takes them in unexpected directions, making us question what we would do if we were faced with the same choices.

Pluribus is a bold, challenging, and intriguing show that’s worth watching and debating about with like-minded friends. The first season of the series is available on Apple TV; a second season is on the horizon.

-John Visconti

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