Imagine a world where happiness becomes mandatory, enforced by an alien force that merges humanity into a single, blissful collective consciousness. Sounds like a dream, right? But what if this utopia comes at the cost of individuality, free will, and the very essence of what makes us human? This is the chilling premise of Pluribus, Vince Gilligan’s latest sci-fi masterpiece, a show that dares to ask: Is a world without pain truly worth living in? And this is the part most people miss—it’s not just a story about survival; it’s a provocative exploration of what it means to be human.
Spoiler alert: The following dives into the first two episodes of Pluribus, ‘We Is Us’ and ‘Pirate Lady,’ so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched them yet.
In Episode 2, Carol Sturka (played by the brilliant Rhea Seehorn) and Mr. Diabaté (Samba Schutte) find themselves among the 12 individuals inexplicably immune to The Joining, an alien event that has fused humanity into a perpetually cheerful collective. Carol, a reclusive and disgruntled bestselling author, rallies her small group of immune English speakers to resist this forced happiness and fight for human agency. But here’s where it gets controversial—Diabaté challenges her: Isn’t this strife-free world exactly what humanity has always dreamed of? No war, no poverty, no suffering. Is Carol’s rebellion truly justified, or is she just clinging to misery?
This central conflict is no accident. Vince Gilligan, the Emmy-winning mastermind behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, intentionally crafted Pluribus to spark debate. ‘I’d love for this show to be a water cooler show,’ he told Deadline. ‘I want people to watch it and argue over it—not angrily, but spiritedly.’ And this isn’t just talk; Gilligan recalls a moment in the writers’ room where two writers passionately debated the show’s themes, leaving him ‘tickled’ because that’s exactly the kind of engagement he aims for.
Shrouded in secrecy before its Apple TV/Sony Pictures Television debut, Pluribus is a mystery-box thriller that blends philosophical depth with heart-pounding horror. The series sparked a high-stakes bidding war and earned a two-season order, with Gilligan already working on the sophomore installment. As a lifelong ‘science fiction nerd,’ Gilligan wanted to pay homage to the genre’s tropes while subverting them. He cites The Twilight Zone and Invasion of the Body Snatchers as key influences, aiming to ‘turn all those tropes on their ear’ and make them fresh for a new generation.
Despite its shift in genre, Pluribus feels like a homecoming for Gilligan. Returning to Albuquerque—the iconic setting of Breaking Bad—he reunited with a crew he’s worked with for nearly two decades. ‘Why fix it if it ain’t broke?’ he quipped, though he initially worried about confusing audiences by filming a third show in the same location with Rhea Seehorn in a leading role. Yet, the decision was driven by loyalty to the talented team he’s built over the years.
Speaking of Seehorn, Gilligan didn’t hesitate to rewrite the lead role of Carol Sturka as a star vehicle for her. ‘She’s the whole package,’ he gushed, praising her ability to make the character feel utterly real. While Carol’s prickliness, fear, and resentment are relatable, Gilligan admits there’s a bit of himself in her too—particularly her curmudgeonly side and her desire for quiet moments after the chaos of public appearances.
But Carol’s rebellion comes at a cost. Her negative outbursts trigger collective stress, freezing millions in the hive mind. Is her fight for individuality worth the destruction it causes? Gilligan leaves this question open, inviting viewers to decide. Unlike zombie apocalypses where the undead are clearly the enemy, Pluribus blurs the lines. ‘Maybe it’s OK to be an Other,’ Gilligan suggests, encouraging audiences to debate the show’s moral ambiguities.
This hands-off approach extends to how Gilligan discusses the series. Learning from his Breaking Bad days, he now avoids over-explaining, letting the show speak for itself. ‘At a certain point, it’s not yours anymore,’ he reflects. ‘It belongs to the people who enjoy it.’ And enjoy it they have—Pluribus boasts a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a top-rated pilot on IMDb. ‘It’s freaking awesome,’ Gilligan enthuses. ‘I’m just so tickled by the response.’
But here’s the real question: Would you trade your individuality for a life of guaranteed happiness? And if not, how far would you go to preserve it? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—agree or disagree, the debate is wide open!