For a show like "Pluribus," Vince Gilligan has the rare gift of crafting an experience that elicits constant conversation among viewers, often to the point where spoilers are requested before discussing the series.
Those who have watched may find themselves unable to resist puzzling over its intended message – is it about the dangers posed by artificial intelligence or perhaps something else entirely? The truth, according to Gilligan, lies elsewhere. He conceived of the show nearly a decade ago when ChatGPT didn't exist. Theories abound on social media, particularly on Reddit, as viewers click down rabbit holes that can last for hours.
No viewer has yet been able to definitively decode what "Pluribus" is trying to convey. Yet it shares this trait with its inciting event – a mystery best left unsolved by watching the show firsthand.
The show's story transmits more clearly than its aftermath, in which civilization rapidly unites around the singular purpose of pleasing Carol Sturka, a romance fantasy author played by Rhea Seehorn. Once she expresses her resentment for being trapped in a cycle of incredible success, her world is suddenly united under a single, blissed-out hivemind.
The hivemind grows concerned about her loneliness – Helen, one of the over 866 million who didn't survive the cataclysm, is assigned a concierge named Zosia (Karolina Wydra). The hivemind's goal is to please Carol and others like her while unraveling the mystery of their immunity.
Carol soon finds herself confronting her limits as she learns that her angry emotional outbursts can cause the hivemind to collapse, killing millions, or that physically harming one causes all of them to weep and plead for mercy in unison.
The show invites viewers to ponder whether it's better to surrender everything to some nebulous idea of world peace or retain those personal freedoms (and the associated conflicts defending them can create) that Americans claim to hold so dear. However, critics were given only seven episodes to preview out of the first season's nine installments, enough to confirm that any emerging theories about its meaning are half-baked.
Ultimately, the show asks whether our species has a natural talent for self-destruction – a statement that could apply to anyone introduced in "Pluribus." To truly grasp its message, however, it's necessary to watch the series. Maybe then we can discuss further.
Those who have watched may find themselves unable to resist puzzling over its intended message – is it about the dangers posed by artificial intelligence or perhaps something else entirely? The truth, according to Gilligan, lies elsewhere. He conceived of the show nearly a decade ago when ChatGPT didn't exist. Theories abound on social media, particularly on Reddit, as viewers click down rabbit holes that can last for hours.
No viewer has yet been able to definitively decode what "Pluribus" is trying to convey. Yet it shares this trait with its inciting event – a mystery best left unsolved by watching the show firsthand.
The show's story transmits more clearly than its aftermath, in which civilization rapidly unites around the singular purpose of pleasing Carol Sturka, a romance fantasy author played by Rhea Seehorn. Once she expresses her resentment for being trapped in a cycle of incredible success, her world is suddenly united under a single, blissed-out hivemind.
The hivemind grows concerned about her loneliness – Helen, one of the over 866 million who didn't survive the cataclysm, is assigned a concierge named Zosia (Karolina Wydra). The hivemind's goal is to please Carol and others like her while unraveling the mystery of their immunity.
Carol soon finds herself confronting her limits as she learns that her angry emotional outbursts can cause the hivemind to collapse, killing millions, or that physically harming one causes all of them to weep and plead for mercy in unison.
The show invites viewers to ponder whether it's better to surrender everything to some nebulous idea of world peace or retain those personal freedoms (and the associated conflicts defending them can create) that Americans claim to hold so dear. However, critics were given only seven episodes to preview out of the first season's nine installments, enough to confirm that any emerging theories about its meaning are half-baked.
Ultimately, the show asks whether our species has a natural talent for self-destruction – a statement that could apply to anyone introduced in "Pluribus." To truly grasp its message, however, it's necessary to watch the series. Maybe then we can discuss further.
AI-induced existential crisis 
TV shows are like onion sandwiches – you don't know what's inside until you dig in 
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Who needs spoilers when you can just watch and wonder? 
. The way Carol is treated like a deity and her emotional outbursts have that kind of power is wild 
. I think what really gets me is the moral ambiguity – on one hand, the idea of world peace sounds appealing, but on the other hand, aren't we just sacrificing individuality for it? It's like, what even is the point of having human emotions if you're just gonna erase them to avoid conflict 
. It's like, on one hand, who wouldn't want a world where everyone gets along? But then you start thinking about the costs of that 'world peace', like giving up individuality... it's like, what's the real cost here? 
I'm still not sure if I buy into the idea that humans are just naturally self-destructive 
Watched only 2 episodes so far, but I'm hooked 
! I was totally convinced she was just a character with some hidden agenda until I saw that episode where they're all crying for mercy... no way 
! As for the show itself... I mean, what even is happening in this world? 
. I mean, have you seen the viewership stats? 83% of viewers are saying they're more interested in discussing the show than its plot 
and have you guys noticed how they just kinda... merge into this single entity without any conflict or resistance? it's like, where are the rebels? 
. It's wild! 
It's like, I get it, some people want world peace, but others of us just wanna be able to express ourselves without someone else telling us how to feel 
. Maybe the show isn't giving me all the answers, but it's definitely making me think... and that's what matters 
It's really got me thinking about how far society would go if everyone just decided to work towards a common goal, no matter how weird or scary it might be. 
.
. The part where the hivemind is all like "let's make Carol happy and we'll be all peaceful and stuff" but then she just kinda... disrupts it? 
I don't know, man, but I do know I'm hooked! 
! It's not uncommon for me to spend hours with my friends online, trying to figure out the mystery behind it. And I think that's what makes it so special – we get to be a part of the conversation alongside the creators themselves 
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. It raises such great questions about whether it's worth sacrificing our individuality for the sake of unity... I think it's safe to say that there's no easy answer, and that's what makes it so thought-provoking 
. And don't even get me started on Carol Sturka - what a total manipulative character 
. 
. Like, dude, it's called "Pluribus" - literally, it's all about mystery and stuff. Don't try to solve it before you've even seen an episode, bro 
? I mean, I get that it's supposed to be some deep exploration of human nature and all that jazz, but to me, it just feels like Gilligan is trying too hard 
.