After more than a decade away from creating content outside the Breaking Bad universe, legendary showrunner Vince Gilligan has made a spectacular return with his new Apple TV drama Pluribus. The science fiction series has already generated significant buzz on social media platforms, with early viewers calling it everything from "incredible" to award-worthy.
Social Media Buzz and Early Reactions
The initial response to Pluribus on platform X (formerly Twitter) has been overwhelmingly positive, suggesting the show is meeting its high expectations. Renowned video game designer Hideo Kojima watched the first episode and didn't hold back his admiration, describing the series as "incredible" while praising Gilligan as a genius. Kojima went further to suggest that Pluribus might serve as a modern reflection of societal concerns, much like how Invasion of the Body Snatchers mirrored Cold War anxieties.
Other social media users echoed similar enthusiasm. User Husam (@Husvero) highlighted the show's "insane premise and strong hook," specifically praising lead actor Rhea Seehorn and the production's high quality. He noted that the narrative offers numerous potential directions, making each episode exciting to anticipate. Another viewer, ColeBrax (@colebrax), confirmed being "completely hooked on this darkly comic dystopian nightmare" after just two episodes.
Fans and Critics See Award Potential
Longtime followers of Gilligan's work have quickly embraced his latest creation. Popular gaming personality Hungrybox (@LiquidHbox) declared the first two installments "the best first episodes of a TV show in a long time," drawing comparisons to both Better Call Saul and The Last of Us while emphasizing the show's unique identity.
The praise has extended to award season speculation, with critic Jason Purdy (@jasonpurdy) asserting that Pluribus deserves all the Emmys for its innovative concept, storytelling approach, and standout performances. He characterized the series as "the ultimate AI story" that captures humanity's collective experiences within a single shared consciousness.
Plot Details and Episode Schedule
The series stars Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka, a best-selling author specializing in pirate-themed speculative romance novels. Her character belongs to a select group of 13 people worldwide who remain immune to a mysterious hive-mind alien virus that has apparently overtaken the rest of the global population.
The premiere episode reveals how two astronomers detect an extraterrestrial laboratory signal originating from 600 light-years away. This transmission contains a blueprint for an RNA sequence, described as a vital molecule in living organisms. The situation escalates dangerously when attempts to replicate this sequence result in a catastrophic experiment.
Apple TV released the first two episodes on November 7, with subsequent episodes scheduled as follows: Episode 3 on November 14, Episode 4 on November 21, Episode 5 on November 28, Episode 6 on December 5, Episode 7 on December 12, Episode 8 on December 19, and the season finale on December 26. The streaming service has already confirmed a second season renewal, indicating strong confidence in the series' future.
