- A New Universe from a Familiar Mind: ‘Better Call Saul’ co-creator Vince Gilligan is back with ‘Pluribus,’ a new genre-bending series for Apple TV+ starring the critically acclaimed Rhea Seehorn.
- An Unsettling Premise: Seehorn plays a successful author who returns to her Albuquerque home only to discover the world and its inhabitants have subtly and disturbingly changed, possibly due to a mysterious message from space.
- A Tour de Force Performance: The series is being hailed as a powerful vehicle for Seehorn, showcasing her incredible range across comedy, drama, and horror, reigniting the Emmy buzz that followed her for years.
- Familiar Crew, New Mystery: The show reunites much of the celebrated creative and technical team from ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul,’ promising intricate plotting and masterful direction.
Gilligan and Seehorn Reunite for an Unsettling New World
Vince Gilligan, the celebrated mind behind ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul,’ has returned to television with a project shrouded in mystery, and he’s brought a familiar face with him. ‘Pluribus,’ a new nine-episode series on Apple TV+, stars the immensely talented Rhea Seehorn in a role that critics are already calling a “funny, sad marvel.” For fans who championed Seehorn’s Emmy-worthy performance as Kim Wexler, this series is confirmation of what they’ve always known: she is a generational talent.
What is ‘Pluribus’ About?
The show centers on Carol Sturka (Seehorn), a successful author of “speculative historical romance literature” who is growing weary of her career, her fans, and her life. The story kicks off with scientists receiving a cryptic message from deep space, leading to a countdown that culminates the moment Carol returns home to Albuquerque.
Very quickly, she realizes something is wrong. The people, the atmosphere, the very fabric of her community feels different, changed. Carol may be one of the last people to remember how things used to be, forcing her to navigate a world that feels alien and unnervingly happy. The show is deliberately evasive, slowly unraveling its central mystery from Carol’s often-confused perspective, making for a compelling and sometimes frustrating viewing experience.
A Showcase for a Generational Talent
While the plot is intriguing, ‘Pluribus’ is, first and foremost, a Rhea Seehorn vehicle. Gilligan has crafted a story that hinges entirely on her versatility. One moment, she is a comedic force, a modern-day Buster Keaton reacting to the absurdity around her with a stern and sour face. The next, she delivers raw, gut-wrenching emotion without saying a word. The series is a masterclass in performance, designed to leverage every ounce of Seehorn’s talent that viewers came to adore in ‘Better Call Saul.’
More Than Just a Sci-Fi Thriller
‘Pluribus’ masterfully blends genres. It is simultaneously a sci-fi drama, an unsettling horror story, and one of the funniest shows of the year. The series tackles heavy themes, exploring how technology, AI, and the illusion of online community can leave us feeling more disconnected and lonelier than ever. Gilligan’s signature direction is on full display, using every corner of the frame to build suspense or land a perfectly timed sight gag.
As the season progresses, the show evolves into the kind of elaborate “process show” that fans of Gilligan’s previous work will recognize and love, complete with intricate plans and cheeky montages. While the first season’s final two episodes have yet to be seen by critics, the potential is there for ‘Pluribus’ to be not just a great showcase for its star, but one of the best and most unsettlingly relevant shows of the year.
Image Referance: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/pluribus-review-rhea-seehorn-vince-gilligan-apple-tv-1236420414/