‘Pluribus’ Review: The Creator of ‘Breaking Bad’ Saves the World from Happiness

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It’s tough to follow a huge hit like Breaking Bad, and that’s likely why creator Vince Gilligan stayed within that same world with the prequel Better Call Saul. While some were unsure about it at first, Better Call Saul eventually won over audiences with its slower, more thoughtful style – some even thought it was better than Breaking Bad. Now, Gilligan is back with a completely new show: the science fiction series Pluribus, featuring Rhea Seehorn, who also starred in Better Call Saul.

The marketing for this show is being kept tightly under wraps, so discussing the plot feels a bit like giving away a surprise. The story offers a fresh take on the post-apocalyptic genre: a huge global event has left almost everyone happy and kind, except for a small group who remain unaffected. Actress Seehorn plays Carol Sturka, a cynical romance novelist, and the show centers around the conflict between her negativity and the overwhelmingly positive world around her. The series follows Carol as she struggles to manage her anger and address her ongoing depression in a constructive way.

As someone who loves sci-fi, and knowing that director Chris Gilligan cut his teeth on The X-Files, I was really impressed with his new show, Pluribus. At first glance, it seems like a story about one person fighting against a kind of controlling, overly sensitive ideology – you could even call it a ‘woke mind virus.’ But it’s actually much deeper than that. What drives the massive changes happening globally isn’t conflict, but genuine empathy – a feeling that extends to every living thing. Even Carol, who’s initially very hostile, and the people on her side aren’t all against those affected by this phenomenon. And the fact that people all over the world can even connect with each other is because of this thing – it seems its only purpose is to help, in any way it can.

The show Pluribus shares similarities with many mystery series from the past twenty years, including Apple TV’s Severance. However, unlike those shows, creator Vince Gilligan avoids relying solely on unanswered questions. Characters like Carol often get straightforward answers when they seek the truth. While refreshing, this approach does lessen the suspense, especially considering the show’s complex storyline and high production value.

What stands out most about Pluribus is its grand scale. With a large budget from Apple and filmed in widescreen, the series looks and feels incredibly expansive. Filmed mainly in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico—the same location used for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul—creator Vince Gilligan and his team have successfully crafted a world that feels appropriately massive. The show features many large, often silent scenes that showcase its impressive technical achievements, and these moments are visually stunning.

The show features a small cast, primarily centered around Rhea Seehorn’s character and her immediate connections. While this fits the story, it sometimes feels disconnected from the show’s large, international scope. The visually impressive and expansive world-building actually makes the personal story – a romance novelist dealing with mental health – feel surprisingly small. The series is visually stunning, enjoyable, and occasionally moving, but ultimately feels strangely narrow in its focus.

The show faces a strange issue: it might have been more believable if it were smaller in scope. When a post-apocalyptic story focuses on a single, ordinary life and clearly has limited resources, it’s easier to accept. But this show’s production value suggests a larger world, which raises questions. We start to wonder about the bigger picture – how this event actually works, the practical details, and what’s happening beyond the main character’s personal struggles.

Compared to the nail-biting suspense of Breaking Bad or the slower-burn intensity of Better Call Saul, Pluribus, despite being a larger-scale production, doesn’t quite feel as pressing. While it explores complex themes, it lacks the same psychological depth, and relies more on the standard desire to know what happens next to keep viewers engaged. However, that’s still enough to make the show work, especially thanks to Seehorn’s outstanding performance. She perfectly embodies her complex, unlikeable character, avoiding stereotypes while convincingly portraying a simmering anger. Ultimately, it’s Seehorn’s portrayal of Carol that makes Pluribus worth watching. The first two episodes of Pluribus debut on Apple TV November 7, with new episodes released every Friday through December 26.

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2025-11-07 03:33