Vince Gilligan, best known for creating television landmarks Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has made a triumphant return to the science fiction genre with Pluribus, now streaming on Apple TV+. The series reunites Gilligan with Rhea Seehorn, who gained critical acclaim for her role as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul. Early reviews describe Pluribus as “unnerving, hilarious, and heartbreaking,” a complex blend of tones that defies easy categorization and one best experienced with minimal spoilers.

The show opens with an enigmatic premise: an extraterrestrial radio signal, first detected 439 days before a mysterious global event, begins repeating every 78 seconds. Scientists at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRID) manage to decode the signal into an RNA sequence, sparking a chilling chain of events. When tests on lab rats go awry, a viral outbreak follows, spreading quietly through an office environment. The infected individuals exhibit eerie, synchronized behavior meticulously preparing saliva swabs destined for global distribution. The tension builds as the rest of the world remains unaware of the impending catastrophe.

At the heart of this high-concept narrative is Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), a successful yet creatively unfulfilled author. Best known for her best-selling “Winds of Wycaro” romance series, Carol longs to write something with deeper emotional resonance. Her partner and manager, Helen (Miriam Shor), encourages her to chase that ambition but Carol’s internal conflict mirrors the show’s broader theme of individuality versus conformity. As reality begins to bend under the mysterious viral influence, Carol’s quest for artistic authenticity becomes a deeply human anchor amid cosmic chaos.

Critics have praised Pluribus for its originality and restraint, avoiding typical sci-fi exposition dumps in favor of layered character-driven storytelling. Gilligan’s script, co-written with producer Diane Mercer, intertwines humor and existential dread, much like his earlier work but with a distinctly speculative edge. The cinematography, under Michael Slovis, further enhances the atmosphere with muted palettes and gradual shifts from normalcy to surrealism reminiscent of Black Mirror but with Gilligan’s trademark warmth and irony.

According to early reactions compiled by Rotten Tomatoes, the show currently holds a strong approval rating, with critics highlighting Seehorn’s performance as a career-defining turn. Meanwhile, fans on Reddit’s TV discussion boards have celebrated Gilligan’s bold storytelling choices, comparing Pluribus to prestige sci-fi dramas like Severance and Station Eleven. Some viewers have even suggested that Apple TV+’s growing reputation for high-concept television may now rival that of HBO.

Gilligan’s return to science fiction feels like a homecoming not only to his creative roots (he began his career writing for The X-Files) but to the kind of morally complex, emotionally rich storytelling that made his previous work resonate globally. If the first two episodes are any indication, Pluribus could mark the next major milestone in his career, a fusion of intellect, emotion, and cinematic flair that redefines modern television.