Nov 29 /TBD / Football Pluribus: a show with potential The new Apple TV sci-fi show comes from the team behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Vinny White , Arts and Culture Writer November 24, 2025 Sofia Campbell/Daily Emerald Science fiction television has truly gripped streaming services this decade, with shows like “Severance,” “Andor,” “The Last of Us,” “Stranger Things” and more consistently creating buzz around the release of new episodes. “Pluribus,” the new show from the creator and team behind “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” might just be the next sci-fi show to keep people coming back every week. “Pluribus” follows cynical author Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) as she becomes one of the last people on Earth not to be infected by a disease that makes nearly everyone part of a hive mind. After losing her partner in the wake of the mass infection and becoming the only person left in Albuquerque, NM, Carol learns they are working around the clock to find a way to infect her as well. Everyone infected by the disease is very kind and hospitable as they find out what makes her different, but Carol knows that this infection could lead to the end of humanity as she knows it. Seehorn is a wonderful lead actor, and it’s great to see her taking the spotlight after her exquisite performance as Kim Wexler in “Better Call Saul.” She plays to the camera, allowing you to see what she’s thinking and feeling. While her character is miserable and a bit mean, she still plays the part with enough reverence to make you want to root for her. The supporting cast of “Pluribus” is also compelling, but in a very different way. With most of the planet being infected by a hive mind, they are all technically the same person, sharing the same thoughts and feelings at all times. Still, each actor manages to pull off a slightly different interpretation of this hive mind, allowing each person to shine in their own unique ways. Karolina Wydra, who plays Zosia, a frequently recurring member of the hive mind, toes the line between caring and somewhat menacing in a way that almost makes you feel like she may be trustworthy. Even actors who only show up for a few scenes, such as Peter Bergman and Robert Bailey Jr., manage to make a great impression in their roles. “Pluribus” has a strong visual identity and is clearly not afraid to try unique pieces of cinematography. The show utilizes techniques rarely seen in television, such as split diopter shots and complex camera rigs that get unique shots of vehicles. The set design and practical effects are similarly impressive, with many of the more awe-inspiring shots being done entirely practically. Longevity is really the main concern that pops up with a series like this. Kicking off the show with the end of the world is a difficult bar to top, and it’s not exactly clear what Carol is even working towards. While she is at risk of becoming infected, even those a part of the hive mind state that this fate is “months out.” A lack of compelling supporting characters besides those infected by the disease only exacerbates the concern of longevity, since interesting supporting characters are the heartbeat of any successful show. “Pluribus” is visually stunning, excellently written, and brilliantly acted. It is on the cusp of proving itself, and if the remaining episodes of the series can prove that this concept can keep the story alive for multiple seasons, then it may just become Apple TV’s next sci-fi hit. View Story Comments Source: https://dailyemerald.com/175055/arts-culture/pluribus-a-show-with-potential/