The highly anticipated reunion of Better Call Saul co-creator Vince Gilligan and star Rhea Seehorn has finally arrived with the Apple TV+ series, Pluribus. Breaking new ground in a completely different genre from their previous collaboration, Gilligan and Seehorn have once again captivated audiences, this time with a compelling psychological sci-fi narrative that delves into profound questions of human connection and individuality.

Pluribus quickly establishes its intriguing premise within its opening two episodes. The narrative begins with the discovery of a mysterious, recurring deep-space signal containing an RNA sequence. Subsequent military attempts to recreate this sequence inadvertently lead to an unexpected contamination that rapidly spreads across the globe. This contamination results in a unique phenomenon: every surviving person on Earth becomes linked by a "psychic glue," granting them access to each other's memories, knowledge, and skills, leading to a seemingly utopian collective consciousness where everyone appears happier than before.

However, at the heart of the story is Carol, portrayed by Rhea Seehorn, who finds herself inexplicably immune to this "joining" phenomenon, along with twelve other individuals worldwide. Carol's journey is marked by a profound struggle to comprehend her unique status in a world fundamentally transformed by shared consciousness, grappling with her isolation amidst universal contentment.

Rhea Seehorn's involvement began with an unwavering trust in Vince Gilligan. She recounted her immediate acceptance of the role, even before reading the script, stating, "Whatever car he's building, I'm getting in. I don't care where we're going." This faith was richly rewarded when she finally read the script, describing it as "just blown away" and "so, so utterly unique and crazy and bonkers." Seehorn praised Gilligan's masterful approach to genre tropes, turning them on their heads, and his ability to weave wild swings in tone – from humor to gut-wrenching drama, psychological suspense, and even physical scares – all within the pilot episode. The sci-fi element particularly piqued her interest, drawing a parallel to Gilligan's acclaimed work on The X-Files, a show she deeply admired.

The filming of the initial episodes, particularly the sequence depicting the mysterious origins of the "joining" phenomenon, presented significant challenges. Seehorn noted the extensive night shoots required for exterior scenes, which inherently limit production hours. A standout aspect of the production was the meticulous effort to portray the collective convulsions and seizures of the affected population without relying on CGI duplication. Instead, an incredible choreographer, Nito Larioza, worked with numerous background actors from Albuquerque and New Mexico, meticulously rehearsing their movements. This choice resulted in an "extraordinarily unsettling" and authentic portrayal, as the individual physical quirks of each person remained, creating a less sleek, more grounded, and therefore more disturbing visual effect, reflecting that it is the mental rather than physical state that changes. The demands of this sequence also included complex stunt work, a truck wreck, and the impressive performance of Miriam Shor as Helen, complete with her stunt double for falls. Despite being "quite the rocket ship" into production, including a night snowed out, Seehorn expressed immense pride in the final product and the dedication of the over 300 crew members involved.

A particularly compelling aspect of Pluribus explored is the complex relationship between Carol and Zosia, played brilliantly by Karolina Wydra. Carol experiences a profound "push-pull attraction and repulsion" towards Zosia, who, as part of the "joined" collective, embodies the memories of Carol's deceased wife, Raban. This dynamic creates deep emotional turmoil for Carol, as Zosia's presence is a constant reminder of her lost love, yet delivered through a stranger purposefully sent by the collective. Carol grapples with the complete loss of privacy, knowing that the "joined" now access all her innermost thoughts and experiences, including her sexual orientation and her personal writings, which she previously kept private. The thought of everyone knowing her secrets feels like "being in hell." She secretly yearns to hear about her wife's love but recoils at the idea of it coming from Zosia or the collective.

Beyond the emotional complexities, Carol's connection with Zosia also serves practical purposes. The other twelve immune individuals reject Carol, leaving her utterly alone. Zosia, despite representing "the all," becomes Carol's only conduit for information, having facilitated her flight and confirmed the existence of others like her. Carol finds herself in a desperate position, needing to talk to and trust someone, even if that person is an emissary of the very force that has upended her world. Seehorn suggested that Carol might also be unconsciously using her engagement with Zosia as a form of distraction, a "job" to undertake, to avoid confronting the raw, painful feelings of grief and isolation, a temporary insanity often associated with profound loss.

Through its unique premise, compelling character dynamics, and intricate production, Pluribus stands as a testament to the creative synergy between Vince Gilligan and Rhea Seehorn, offering a thought-provoking exploration of identity, connection, and the human experience in an extraordinary new reality.