Breaking Bad fans, get ready! Gilligan's new series Pluribus has 90% on ČSFD

More than two years after the finale of Better Call Saul, Vince Gilligan returns with something completely different. Pluribus, a new sci-fi series for Apple TV+, premiered on November 7 with two episodes and immediately garnered attention from critics and fans alike. Unlike Gilligan’s previous reality-anchored projects, this time it’s about an alien invasion – but not one you’d expect.

A Virus That Makes People Happy

The basic premise is strange: an alien virus transforms the entire planet into a place where everyone is constantly happy, kind, and content. All thoughts, memories, and knowledge are shared among all people – no one speaks of “I” anymore, but of “this individual.” Sounds like a utopia, right? For Carol, played by Rhea Seehorn, it’s a nightmare.

Carol is a bestselling romantic fantasy author, has millions in her account, hundreds of thousands of fans, and is absolutely miserable. A misanthrope to the core. And she is the only American immune to the virus. While the whole world smiles and helps each other, Carol rages that everyone constantly tries to help her and “cure” her of her immunity.

Gilligan says he had been thinking about the idea for almost ten years. Originally, the main character was supposed to be a man, but when he was finishing Better Call Saul, he got the idea for Rhea Seehorn and started rewriting the script for her – without telling her. “You just can’t take your eyes off her. She has amazing charisma and can do everything – make you laugh and make you cry,” he explained.

The first two episodes – “We is Us” (56 minutes) and “Pirate Lady” (62 minutes) – received a rating of 74% from critics and 84% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes. This is not Breaking Bad level (98%), but for the first episodes of a new series, it’s a solid number.

On the Czech ČSFD, the series currently has 90%, but the rating is only from a few dozen users so far.

Kojima Loves It

Among the series’ fans is Hideo Kojima, founder of Kojima Productions and creator of Metal Gear Solid. He wrote an enthusiastic review of the first episode: “I finally watched the first episode of Vince Gilligan’s long-awaited series Pluribus! Oh my god – this is incredible. Absolutely incredible. It draws you in right from the opening scene. Vince is truly a genius!”

For Kojima, who himself creates games with complex sci-fi themes and philosophical questions, Pluribus is apparently exactly the type of storytelling he enjoys.

“This show was made by Humans”

In the series’ credits, the line appears: “This show was made by Humans” (This show was created by humans). Gilligan is known for hating artificial intelligence in the creative process and openly criticizes it.

Pluribus is about the loss of individuality, about what happens when everyone thinks the same. When you look at the current hype around AI, which is supposed to “improve creativity,” Gilligan’s stance isn’t all that surprising.

Nine Episodes, A New One Every Friday

Pluribus has a total of nine episodes, ranging from 43-62 minutes in length. Episodes are released every Friday – a classic weekly format. The third episode, titled “Grenade”, will be released on November 14, with subsequent episodes appearing until the end of December.

Gilligan and Gordon Smith (a collaborator from Better Call Saul) shared directing duties, while Alison Tatlock, Vera Blasi, and others also wrote the script. The music is handled by Dave Porter, who composed soundtracks for both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, so you can expect a similar atmosphere.

Alongside Rhea Seehorn, the series stars Miriam Shor, Karolina Wydra, Karan Soni, and others. The cast is not as massive as in Breaking Bad, which makes sense – when most of humanity is in a hive mind, you don’t need dozens of different characters.

It’s Not Breaking Bad, But That’s Okay

The series functions as an allegory for toxic relationships and society’s pressure on people to suppress their emotions. Carol is constantly urged to keep her feelings in check, to trust the people around her, and to behave “better.” She speaks, and no one hears her. She repeats herself, and no one believes her. She screams, and she is told to behave politely.

For some, it will be too slow; for others, it will be a refreshing change from explosive sci-fi action. It depends on what you expect from the series.

If you’re a fan of Breaking Bad for the tension and drug war, Pluribus isn’t the same. If you’re a fan of Better Call Saul for the characters and moral dilemmas, you have a chance it will hook you. And if you just want to see Rhea Seehorn in a leading role, definitely check it out.

Will you be watching the new series from the creator of Breaking Bad?

Source: ČSFD, Rotten Tomatoes