It's not every day that a new television series boasts a perfect 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoesbut Apple TV's new sci-fi drama “More” earning rave reviews from critics and fans alike.
The series, which premiered its first two episodes on November 7, tells the story of Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), a cantankerous romantic fantasy writer who finds herself among a dozen or so people tasked with saving the world after an alien virus sweeps everyone else into a happy hivemind.
“Many” were created by Vince Gilliganthe inspiration for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. His new series touches on questions about humanity, technology and contentment: if a creepy hive mind—like Aldous Huxley's fictional drug catfish in the dystopian classic Brave New World—makes everyone happier, maybe that's okay?
Seehorn, a familiar face to Gilligan fans thanks to her breakout role as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul, brings her comic sensibilities to Carol, whose misanthropic nature makes her an odd candidate to save humanity.
Gilligan is set in and around Albuquerque, the same location as Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad. Those fascinated by UFO folklore also know that the area is home to 1947 Roswell Incident.
Read on to find out what critics and audiences have already said about Pluribus.
What did critics say about Pluribus?
Since its November 7 debut, critics have raved about Pluribus, with many noting Gilligan and Seehorn's ongoing collaboration.
The show currently has a 100% critic rating.
Linda Holmes from NPR called the show “a brutal watch” at times, noting how “Carol finds herself in deep grief, walking through empty buildings, driving through deserted areas, experiencing the arid desolation of a frictionless life.”
“But the collaboration between Gilligan and Seehorn,” Holmes continues, “is also based on how funny she is, how perfect she is for both his willingness to dig deep wells of sadness and his playfulness.”
Joel Keller from Decisive agreed that the show's heaviness is offset by its playful tone, writing: “'Pluribus' is creepy, suspense-filled, funny, dramatic and genuinely weird.”
Although some critics have noted that the pacing of “Pluribus” can be slow at times, most e.g. Los Angeles Times Critic Robert Lloyd promised that the show would ultimately do good.
“Having quickly established the premise, Gilligan shifts into low gear; it's a slow-paced series, but it's never dull,” Lloyd writes, adding: “Large stretches of time pass without dialogue. For the most part, this is Seehorn's show, and she's amazing – running through the gamut of emotions, confused, smart, humble and determined, alternately navigating (as the comics say) through a world she never created, an evil person.” beating on a sea of satisfaction, a complex man in a one-speed society.”
Nicholas Cua Vulture also encouraged viewers to continue watching the series, writing: “You owe it to yourself to give Pluribus a chance. Something great is brewing within this captivating piece of television, and to experience its full effect, you have to trust the process.”
Chase Hutchinson from Seattle Times praised the series for asking difficult questions.
“The more it goes on, the more Pluribus becomes a show of huge, urgent feeling that grapples with the horrors of the numbness of loss. It's about survival versus resistance, submission versus conflict, fantasy versus reality, and whether false happiness is worth losing everything you've been for.”
“Carol is a little grumpy,” he writes, “but she’s our grumpy, graceful slice of human complexity in a world that tries to flatten her.”
What did fans say about “Pluribus”?
Fan reviews on Rotten Tomatoes have also been mostly rave. The show currently has an 84% rating from home audiences.
“Vince Gilligan is the greatest TV writer and showrunner of Generation X. The pilot is original, exciting, mysterious, funny and tragic all at the same time. I can't remember being this engrossed in a story since his last masterpiece, Better Call Saul,” one wrote.
“I was hooked from the start. Kept up the pace. Continued the excitement until I dropped (sic) the first 2 episodes… The acting is great! Finally something fun to watch! Thanks,” agreed another.
Not all viewers were satisfied with Pluribus. Some said they were disappointed with the show and confused by all the rave reviews it received.
“I came in knowing nothing about this show, plus I'm a huge sci-fi fan, but I just don't understand the hype,” one wrote in part, adding, “It's like people's bodies have been hijacked and forced to give 5 stars.”
