The Post-'Saul' Void: What is 'Pluribus' Trying to Be?
Let’s just sit with it for a moment. The silence after the final credits of 'Better Call Saul' rolled. It wasn't just the end of a show; it felt like saying goodbye to a friend you'd spent years getting to know. And at the heart of that goodbye was Kim Wexler, a character brought to life with breathtaking nuance by the incredible Rhea Seehorn.
So, when the news broke about the new Vince Gilligan project, it felt like a lifeline. But it also came with the heavy weight of expectation. It’s okay to feel both thrilled and a little bit terrified. That’s not disloyalty; that’s the residue of loving something so completely. You want the next thing to be just as good, to honor that emotional investment.
This Rhea Seehorn new show, tentatively titled 'Pluribus', isn't a return to the Albuquerque desert. According to reporting from Variety, Gilligan himself described it as a piece of grounded science fiction, a drama that bends reality while exploring the human condition. It’s a departure from the crime genre, focusing on a character who, after a significant event, finds the world dramatically changed.
Think less 'Breaking Bad' and more 'The Twilight Zone,' but with that signature Gilligan touch for moral complexity and character depth. The question isn't 'who will break bad?' but perhaps 'what does it mean to be good when reality itself is broken?' This is the new emotional territory we’re being invited to explore with an actress we already trust implicitly.
Meet Carol Sturka: How Rhea Seehorn's New Character Differs from Kim Wexler
Let’s look at the underlying pattern here. Vince Gilligan doesn't cast frivolously. His choice to build his next major project around Rhea Seehorn is a direct acknowledgment of her rare talent: the ability to communicate a universe of internal conflict with nothing more than a tightened jaw or a subtle glance.
While Kim Wexler’s battle was internal—a war between her moral compass and her love for Jimmy—her world was hyper-realistic. Law offices, courtrooms, parking garages. The character we meet in 'Pluribus', reportedly named Carol Sturka, operates on a completely different plane. Her conflict is externalized by a sci-fi premise. She isn't just fighting her inner demons; she's grappling with a world that has fundamentally changed around her.
This is a deliberate psychological shift. Kim Wexler was a master of control, meticulously compartmentalizing her life until she couldn't anymore. Carol Sturka, from what we can gather, is a character who has lost control of the very fabric of her reality. For Rhea Seehorn, this is an opportunity to move from portraying contained anxiety to navigating outright existential bewilderment. It’s a showcase for a different part of her immense range.
The themes of 'Pluribus' seem to pivot from legal ethics to broader questions of humanity and choice. It's a testament to the fact that Rhea Seehorn excels at playing brilliant women caught in impossible circumstances. Here is your permission slip: You have permission to love this new character without betraying your loyalty to Kim Wexler. They are different facets of the same brilliant performer.
The Verdict (So Far): Key Things to Watch For in Any Vince Gilligan Pluribus Review
As we await the premiere on Apple TV+, the question everyone is asking is, 'Is Pluribus good?' To properly assess it, we need a strategy. This isn't just a show you watch; it's a text you analyze. As you watch the first few episodes and read the initial reviews, here is the move—focus on these three key areas to form your own informed opinion.
Step 1: Track the Visual Language.
Vince Gilligan is a master of visual storytelling. Pay attention to the color palette, the camera angles, and the composition of each shot. How does he visually represent the 'change' in the world? Is it subtle or overt? The visuals will tell you more about the themes of 'Pluribus' than the dialogue will.
Step 2: Isolate the Central Dramatic Question.
Every Gilligan story has a core moral question at its center. For 'Pluribus,' the question seems to be about human nature in the face of the unknown. Watch for the first major choice Carol Sturka has to make. That decision will be the lynchpin for the entire series and the foundation for any credible 'Vince Gilligan Pluribus review'.
Step 3: Watch the Nuance in Rhea Seehorn's Performance.
Don't just watch what she says; watch what she doesn't say. Her specialty is the micro-expression—the flicker of doubt, the flash of fear, the moment of resolve. Her performance will be the emotional anchor of this high-concept story. Her journey from the aftermath of 'Better Call Saul' to this new frontier is the main event. Her ability to ground an extraordinary premise in believable human emotion will determine if the show succeeds.
FAQ
1. What is Vince Gilligan's new show 'Pluribus' about?
'Pluribus' is a new sci-fi drama created by Vince Gilligan for Apple TV+. It is described as a grounded, thought-provoking story about a character who experiences a dramatic shift in her reality, forcing her to confront fundamental questions about the human condition.
2. Is 'Pluribus' connected to the Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul universe?
No, 'Pluribus' is a completely original story set in a new universe. It is not a sequel, prequel, or spin-off of Vince Gilligan's previous work in the crime genre.
3. Who does Rhea Seehorn play in 'Pluribus'?
Rhea Seehorn plays the lead protagonist, reportedly named Carol Sturka. Her character is at the center of the reality-bending events of the series and serves as the emotional core of the story.
4. Where can I watch Rhea Seehorn's new show?
The new series starring Rhea Seehorn will be available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+. A release date has not yet been officially announced.
References
variety.com — Vince Gilligan's New Series Starring Rhea Seehorn: Everything We Know