Pluribus - Apple TV Series (No Spoilers)

[Supersam83]

Pluribus

Apple TV said:

The most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.

In a world overtaken by a mysterious wave of forced happiness, Carol Sturka, the only person immune, must uncover what's really going on - and save humanity from it's own bliss.

Created and produced by Vince Gilligan of "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" fame.

Watched Episode 1 and 2 which was released together on the 7th November 2025. Each episode will be released every Friday.

From the opening scene and first episode, I'm just hooked in.

Rhea Seehorn is an amazing actress and was great in Better Call Saul.

The 2nd episode is great as well.

Currently 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes!

[JSP440]

Really enjoyed this, and cant really tell where its going.

Something different to what's been out currently. Both me and the GF are excited for ep 3 tonight when we get home!

[WrekinCrew]

There's an "official podcast" on the making of the series (as there was for BB and BCS).

Vince Gilligan, Rhea Seehorn and various crew members discuss each episode.

[steveatesh]

I’ve watched both episodes released up to now and enjoyed them, episode 2 picked up on some human behaviours and added to the whole story very well in my view. The premise is unusual and I’m looking forward to seeing how it pans out….

[Speed Badger]

Was going to start a thread for this, I'm not sure it's possible to spoil this at the moment, no idea what's going on! Intriguing, although I'm struggling with the tone a little, is it supposed to be fully serious or tongue in cheek/satire etc?

[DSLiverpool]

Speed Badger said:

Was going to start a thread for this, I'm not sure it's possible to spoil this at the moment, no idea what's going on! Intriguing, although I'm struggling with the tone a little, is it supposed to be fully serious or tongue in cheek/satire etc?

It’s a bit Good Place / Last Man on earth and that’s not a good thing, I hope it shines through.

[The Rotrex Kid]

Just watched episode 1, it was gripping, I was gripped!

[Mars]

I'm looking for some critical questions from Carol about what the experience is like for the others. Instead, we're just listening to her sulking for three episodes.

I think it still could be interesting but if the single idea the writers had has already been explored, and all we're going to get now is different ways that Carol can be grumpy as they string it out for 4+ series, then it's not going to be much of a classic TV show.

It might still work. I can see Carol starting some sort of relationship with Zosia. She has already rescued her from AirForceOne chap, and shown she cares about her in ep3 too, so maybe it'll work. It's Apple's way to drip-feed stories.

[CSNY]

Vince Gilligan has, I believe, stated that there is no direct or underlying meaning or message to Plur1bus, and says that one can read whatever one wishes into the show.

Based on that, these are the main themes I’m personally picking up -

• The Covid/lockdown/vaccine aspect portrayed as compliance, group think on a huge scale, acquiesce to the many, not the individual.

• The group having access and knowledge of your life and life style on a massively invasive scale, enabling them to make suggestions, nudge your decisions and direct what you consume, i.e. big tech.

• Passive aggressive behaviour dressed up in a #bekind context, naive behaviour based on ultra liberal tropes (the hand grenade incident - that took me back 30 years recalling drippy Manchester youth workers trying to reason with violent kids).

• AI enabling anyone access to expert knowledge, and the implications of that.

Carol is a modern day Victor Meldrew in a dystopian world - I would be too in her shoes. The show is funny, thought provoking, challenging and endlessly entertaining.

But these are just my takes - YMMD.

[The Rotrex Kid]

No spoilers please!!

[Supersam83]

Just caught up and watched Episode 3.

God Carol is a miserable b*tch isn't she!

The hour seems to fly by and still interested where this is going.

[phil-sti]

Supersam83 said:

Just caught up and watched Episode 3.

God Carol is a miserable b*tch isn't she!

The hour seems to fly by and still interested where this is going.

the last episode was 45 minutes

[WrekinCrew]

Supersam83 said:

Just caught up and watched Episode 3.

God Carol is a miserable b*tch isn't she!

Well yes, given the tagline is "the most miserable person on Earth".

[dundarach]

WrekinCrew said:

Supersam83 said:

Just caught up and watched Episode 3.

God Carol is a miserable b*tch isn't she!

Well yes, given the tagline is "the most miserable person on Earth".

I find the misery, deeply, deeply attractive. I'd love to live if this world, just Carol and I miserable and everyone else happy, with a bit of Ana obviously!

Brilliant show, absolutely loving it.

[EK9_CTR]

Funny moment from episode 2 when the Indian lady cursed at Carol using the preferred south asian swear word beginning with "p" or "b". I noticed the subtitles disappeared for that small segment!

[Speed Badger]

I want to know more about the signal from space and the experiments with the rats (are we assuming the signal implanted something in the rats, they passed it on etc etc?) , I hope they go back and have an episode exploring that soon.

[speedking31]

Did you ,miss Episode 1?

[Supersam83]

Just watched episode 4 and it's another good one.

The 45 minutes just went by so fast and a few more answers are drip fed to us...

Vince Gilligan knows what he is doing and has me hooked.

Just frustrated that we have to wait another week for the next episode.

[Speed Badger]

speedking31 said:

Did you ,miss Episode 1?

No, I mean more in depth explanation etc. But apparently Vince Gilligan (creator) has said they won't go into that again.

[Mars]

It really is a great idea but it unfolds too slowly for a weekly drop.