In Vince Gilligan’s much anticipated return to television post-Breaking Bad Universe, he delivers a thought provoking sci-fi mystery with centric themes of human behavior, civilization, unity and isolation. The show revolves around Carol (Rhea Seehorn), a successful but self loathing fantasy novelist, who is thrust into a peculiar situation akin to the most ‘chill’ alien invasion fathomable. It is difficult to decipher Rhea Seehorn’s Carol as more of a protagonist or antagonist. You would think you would immediately side with her in her situation, but I felt oddly brainwashed by the opposing force and the peaceful paradise it presented. 

 

Everyone on planet Earth is overtaken by an ominous celestial virus that quickly spreads and overtakes mankind. This virus, utilizing everyone on earth as vessels for its master plan, to which they call a ‘biological imperative,’ consists of everyone being physically and mentally linked to one another. This linking of all humanity allows this cosmic force to create a peace and harmony on earth with seemingly ‘good vibes only’. The tired cliche of hostile alien takeover is turned upside-down with a goodwill and morality that far exceeds what most humans possess(or so it seems).

 

There are, however, 12 outliers to this takeover left on earth, including Carol who is oddly spared her free will. The entire world caters to Carol and the 11 other survivors, serving as a butler of sorts to their every desire, buttering them up as they try to crack the code of the survivors’ DNA that will allow them to takeover/join the rest of the planet as one unified entity. 

 

My mind couldn’t help from trying to identify similarities to Breaking Bad and there are a few: Gilligan’s love of cold opens with little to no explanation that keep you guessing until a satisfying reveal later on.  The show’s wry sense of humor and tongue-in-cheek playfulness that meshes well with the show’s dark themes. The desert landscape of Albuquerque, New Mexico is a welcome and familiar visual playground where the cinematography glimmers. 

 

The show works well as an extended Twilight Zone or Black Mirror premise, but with plenty of room to breathe and develop its world and characters over a season instead of an isolated episode. We spend much of our time as an audience with two characters: Carol and the entity represented through the physical forms of those left on earth they commandeered. 

 

The l series later introduces a couple of fellow survivors to Carol that stand out. Carlos-Manuel Vesga plays a survivor in Paraguay, who is defiant and self isolated, resisting the temptation of all the rewards the entity tries to offer him. He is a man of strong principles and staunchly holds onto these without wavering, his energy reminds me somewhat of Mike Ehrmatraut from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. He is charismatic despite little dialogue and someone who is easy to root for and side with. Another survivor played by Samba Schutte is the complete opposite, taking advantage of his ‘unlimited earthly wishes, the entity gladly gift him. He is amusing and likable in a completely different light than Vesga’s character. His energy reminds me of Cristobal on HBO’s Barry which is a high compliment.

 

Pluribus is equally thoughtful as it is thought provoking. I was immediately invested in this very different world created by Gilligan and what all the puzzle pieces he laid out could mean. I binge watched the first 7 episodes and very much look forward to its end (I mean that in the best possible way).