'Pluribus' Is Finally Out: Is the New Vince Gilligan Show Worth Watching?

After temporarily abandoning crime sagas, Vince Gilligan has returned to his roots with a series Pluribus reminiscent of his work on The X-Files, complete with his signature approach to complex characters and moral dilemmas.

The series, which depicts a utopian vision colliding with grim reality, is already being hailed as one of the most intelligent and relevant offerings of the year.

What Is 'Pluribus' About?

After detecting mysterious signals in the sky, scientists decode them and create a chemical substance. Upon testing, they discover that it is a virus which, upon infecting people, deprives them of all emotions except absolute happiness and peace.

Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), a writer of popular fantasy novels, is one of only twelve people on Earth who is immune to the virus.

In a world immersed in blissful tranquility, Carol is the only person capable of experiencing anger, fear, and despair. She must discover what lies behind this "perfect" reality and whether it is possible to restore humanity's true feelings.

'Pluribus' Draws You in From the Very First Minutes, Intriguing With Its Atmosphere of Mystery

From the very first episode, Gilligan masterfully immerses viewers in complete suspense. Like the main character, the viewer doesn't understand what's happening and must piece together the puzzle alongside her.

A world of "happy" people who are extremely polite and willing to help with any request seems like a utopia. However, its perfect veneer conceals a sinister truth.

So Far, 'Pluribus' Is a Brilliantly Written Thriller With a Strong Social Subtext

Only two episodes have aired so far, but it's already clear that Gilligan has created more than just a sci-fi thriller – he has made a poignant social statement.

The series raises complex philosophical questions: do people need to suffer to be themselves? Is happiness devoid of choice and emotion truly valuable?

Through the lens of a contagious virus, Gilligan explores modern tendencies toward isolation and escaping the chaos of the real world for artificially created comfort.

'Pluribus' Is Rhea Seehorn's Best Performance Yet

Rhea Seehorn excelled in a supporting role in Better Call Saul. Here, she takes on a well-deserved leading role and makes the most of it.

She portrays her Carol as a vibrant, conflicted, and imperfect heroine. Seehorn masterfully conveys a full range of emotions, from righteous anger that physically hurts the "happy" people around her to vulnerability and despair.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Pluribus'?

• Pluribus has 100% from critics and 85% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 9.0/10.

Where to Watch 'Pluribus'?

Pluribus is available to stream on Apple TV+.