Vince Gilligan Delivers Another Critical Hit with Pluribus on Apple TV
Early reviews for Vince Gilligan's highly anticipated new series Pluribus suggest the acclaimed creator has done it again. The show, which premiered on Apple TV on November 7, 2025, reunites Gilligan with Rhea Seehorn of Better Call Saul fame, this time placing her in the lead role.
Plot and Premise: A Miserable Heroine in a World Gone Happy
Seehorn plays Carol Sturka, described by the show's logline as "the most miserable person on the earth that must save the world from happiness." Her character is a successful but deeply unsatisfied fantasy romance novelist who returns home to Albuquerque, New Mexico, from a book tour with her manager-girlfriend Helen, played by Miriam Shor.
The plot kicks into gear when a mysterious virus sweeps the globe, with devastating consequences: millions of people die and billions more become infected, causing them to be perpetually and unnaturally cheery. Sturka, immune to the effects, finds herself at the center of the mystery as everyone wants to know why she remains unaffected.
Critical Acclaim and Early Reviews
Initial critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers quick to praise the new series. Miles Surrey from The Ringer became an immediate fan, noting the show's inspiration from classic films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
"Wherever the story goes — a second season has already been green-lit — Pluribus hasn’t just cemented itself as one of the best shows of the year," Surrey wrote. He also mentioned that critics received screeners with an extensive do-not-spoil list, making it challenging to reveal specific plot details.
The CBC's Jackson Weaver also offered strong support, calling Pluribus "incredibly binge-worthy" and "the most binge-worthy show since Severance." While Weaver acknowledged that some story elements feel familiar to science fiction fans, he ultimately concluded that "these somewhat hackneyed flourishes don’t get in the way of what is otherwise an expertly crafted, eminently addictive series."
Weaver also highlighted the show's compelling central theme, noting that it poses difficult questions about the nature of happiness, its value, and what should be sacrificed to attain it.
Release Schedule and Availability
The first two episodes of Pluribus are available to stream now on Apple TV+. The third episode is scheduled for release on November 14, 2025. With a second season already confirmed, viewers can expect more of Gilligan's signature storytelling and Seehorn's captivating performance in the episodes to come.
