Vince Gilligan’s ‘Pluribus’ Explores a Haunting Hivemind and the cost of Bliss
Apple TV+’s new sci-fi thriller, Pluribus, from the creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, plunges viewers into a world where humanity is connected by a shared consciousness, raising profound questions about individuality and happiness.
The first two episodes of Pluribus, now streaming on Apple TV+, mark a compelling return for Vince Gilligan, whose two-decade-long exploration of morally complex narratives continues with this heady new series. The premise is both elegantly simple and painstakingly intricate: a hivemind has taken root, connecting all of humanity into a single, unified consciousness.
The story begins with scientists at the Very Large Array in Socorro,New Mexico,intercepting a repeating extraterrestrial frequency. This signal is decoded as an RNA nucleotide sequence – a complex biological code – capable of forging a “psychic glue” that binds all humans together. Before audiences fully grasp the implications of this discovery, they meet Carol (Rhea Seehorn), a successful but disillusioned romantasy writer who is, remarkably, immune to the “joining,” as the collective consciousness terms this world-altering event.
Carol’s immunity places her in a precarious position.She can passively await absorption by the hivemind, which is actively trying to understand her resistance, or actively fight to reverse the process. The situation is further complex by the hivemind’s seemingly benevolent nature, providing for her every need and desire, and the contentment of the other immune individuals who have embraced their unique status.How the hivemind views Carol – and the insights offered by Dr. Allie Wright (Jessica Jones), the scientist chosen to accompany Carol – offers further insight into the collective consciousness. Wydra, known for her roles in House and True Blood, described the hivemind as embodying “pure goodness.” “They’re just very content, happy, peaceful, serene human beings that are unflappable,” Wydra shared. “They don’t feel the negative feelings we experience. They remember that they felt anger at one point, but they’re not angry.”
This explains the hivemind’s unwavering desire for Carol and other immune individuals to join them, believing they can share the gift of serenity. “Whatever Carol’s going through, they remember that they felt that way, but they don’t feel that way today,” Wydra elaborated. “So their biological imperative to share this gift is so strong. They know that once anyone experiences the goodness of this virus, they will know it’s worth sharing.”
To prepare for her role, Wydra engaged in “dream work” and meditation to embody the hivemind’s tranquil state. She also studied emotionally intelligent individuals, noting their attentive listening skills and lack of self-promotion. One recurring descriptor used to characterize the hivemind’s interaction with Carol was “Indulgent Mother,” highlighting their unconditional love and acceptance.
Perhaps one of the most visually striking aspects of Pluribus is the synchronized movement of the hivemind’s members. Scenes depicting dozens or hundreds of people working in perfect harmony to fulfill Carol’s requests are both mesmerizing and unsettling, resembling a colony of ants. Gilligan credits stunt performer Nito Larioza for choreographing these scenes, drawing inspiration from the coordinated movements of a school of fish he observed while scuba diving.”I used to scuba dive a little bit, and I was lucky enough to go down to the Caribbean or whatnot,” he recalled. “It fascinated me: these gorgeous fish, they’re all in a line, and then the lead fish all of a sudden turns a corner… You can’t even see it happen.”
Pluribus episodes 1 and 2 are streaming now on Apple TV+, with new episodes released weekly each Friday. The series promises a thought-provoking exploration of consciousness, individuality, and the elusive nature of happiness, solidifying Vince Gilligan’s position as a master storyteller in the science fiction genre.
