Vince Gilligan, the mastermind behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, is back—but this time, he’s leaving the criminal underworld behind for a mind-bending sci-fi adventure that’s already got critics and fans buzzing. Pluribus, which premiered its first two episodes on Apple TV+ on November 7, 2025, marks Gilligan’s boldest creative leap yet, blending philosophical questions, cryptic storytelling, and a surprising new kind of hero.
A New World, A New Hero
Forget antiheroes and meth labs.
Pluribus centers on
Carol Sturka, played by Emmy-nominated Rhea Seehorn (beloved for her role as Kim Wexler in
Better Call Saul). Carol is introduced as “the most miserable person on Earth”—but Gilligan flips the script, making her his first true protagonist, not just another flawed antihero.
The show’s premise is shrouded in secrecy, with Apple TV+ and Gilligan himself keeping plot details tightly under wraps. What we do know: the story kicks off with an
extraterrestrial transmission that upends Carol’s life and, possibly, the fate of humanity. Early teasers featured cryptic scenes—like a woman licking dozens of donuts and another wandering in a bloodied T-shirt—plus a mysterious phone number that, when dialed, greeted callers with: “Hi, Carol. We're so glad you called. We can't wait for you to join us.”
Breaking the Mold: Gilligan’s Sci-Fi Philosophy
Gilligan conceived
Pluribus during the writing of
Better Call Saul’s third season, musing on wish fulfillment and the idea of universal harmony. But, true to form, he couldn’t resist exploring the darker undercurrents of human nature. “Pluribus is as dry, ironic, brutal, and alert to the horrors festering in no small number of human souls as anything he’s made,” writes TIME.
Yet, unlike the postapocalyptic despair that dominates much of modern sci-fi,
Pluribus is ultimately about hope. Gilligan admits he grew uneasy with the genre’s obsession with doom: “It was like it was priming people for the apocalypse, instead of priming them to avoid the apocalypse at all cost.” The show’s core message?
Humanity is worth fighting for.
Made by Humans, Not AI
In an era when AI-generated content is everywhere, Gilligan is emphatic:
Pluribus is a product of human creativity, not algorithms. “If you watched all the way to the end of the new Apple TV+ series, you’ll see a cheeky disclaimer: ‘No AI was used in the making of this show,’” reports TechCrunch. This stance is a pointed response to industry anxieties about automation and the value of authentic storytelling.
Critical Buzz and What’s Next
Early reviews are glowing. Euronews calls
Pluribus “mighty promising,” praising its enigmatic atmosphere and Seehorn’s magnetic performance. TechRadar even dubs it “the best TV premiere of 2025”—though they gripe about Apple TV+’s rollout strategy.
Fans of Gilligan’s previous work may be surprised by the show’s slow-burn, philosophical tone, but the intricate world-building and cryptic mysteries are already fueling online speculation and watercooler debates.
The good news for viewers: Apple greenlit a second season before the premiere, so Gilligan and his team have the runway to fully realize their vision.
Why “Pluribus” Matters
Pluribus isn’t just another sci-fi series—it’s a meditation on what it means to be human, told by one of TV’s most daring storytellers. With its blend of existential questions, dark humor, and a heroine you can’t help but root for, it’s poised to become the next must-watch phenomenon.
If you’re tired of formulaic TV and hungry for something truly original,
Pluribus is your ticket to the strangest—and most hopeful—ride of the year.
Sources
1. With 'Pluribus,' Vince Gilligan Is Breaking Good: Interview
2. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) - News
3. Pluribus: heerlijk raadselachtige, filosofische slowburner ...
4. Foundation season 3 is shedding new light on one of its ...
5. 'Breaking Bad' creator's new show 'Pluribus' ... - TechCrunch
6. cellar door. we might as well be a symphony.
7. Why you should be watching Pluribus - Euronews.com
8. Pluribus easily had the best TV premiere of 2025, but ...
