Vince Gilligan, the creator behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has made his first-ever on-screen appearance in one of his shows, and it is as bizarre as fans would expect. In Pluribus Episode 6, Gilligan appears as a frozen, severed head discovered by the main character. In a new behind-the-scenes interview, he revealed the surprisingly simple modern technology used to create the grisly prop and shared why he chose this strange moment for his debut.
The scene is part of a major reveal in the sixth episode, titled ‘HDP’, where Carol Sturka, played by Rhea Seehorn, finds a warehouse full of human body parts. The episode also features a surreal cameo from John Cena, who delivers shocking news to the remaining human survivors. These elements combine to unveil one of the series’ darkest secrets about the hive mind known as “the Others.”
The Making of a Macabre Prop: Scanning Gilligan’s Head
In the interview, Gilligan explained the straightforward process of turning his likeness into a show prop. He credited prop maker Joe Ulibarri with the work.
“It was wonderfully non-invasive. Because in the old days, if you wanted your head in a TV show as a prop, they would have to cast it… He came in and he had me stand still, just outside my office. No special lighting or anything. And he wandered around me with this thing, and it was some lidar scanner, and they scanned my head. And then he made the prop… And then he 3D printed me a little version of my head, as a bust…It’s really cool,” Gilligan said.
This marked a significant first for the celebrated showrunner. He confirmed he was never in Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul, making this his “Hitchcockian cameo.” In the scene, Seehorn’s character picks up the head and remarks, “That is not a Butterball turkey. I’ll tell you that much.”
John Cena’s Chilling Cameo and the HDP Reveal
Gilligan’s head was not the only surprise in the episode. John Cena appears in a pre-recorded video message from the hive mind, calmly explaining a horrifying reality. The episode’s title, ‘HDP’, stands for “Human Derived Protein.”
Cena’s version, speaking for the Others, explains that because the hive mind cannot harm any living thing—including plants—they face a massive food shortage. Their solution is to process the millions of human corpses left behind after “the Joining” into a protein supplement. The milky substance the Others drink now contains 8 to 12 percent human remains.
Actor Samba Schutte, who plays survivor Koumba Diabaté, revealed that during filming, the role of the video narrator was first played by Vince Gilligan himself as a stand-in before Cena’s footage was added.
Hidden Details: Easter Eggs Connecting to Gilligan’s Past Work
Pluribus is filled with subtle nods to Vince Gilligan’s previous series, rewarding attentive fans. These are not just for fun; they often deepen the story’s themes.
- Macallan Whiskey: In Episode 1, Carol pours a drink from a bottle of Macallan whiskey. This brand was significant in Better Call Saul, most memorably appearing in a bottle that Howard Hamlin brought to Kim and Jimmy moments before his murder. In Pluribus, it shows Carol seeking comfort in a familiar luxury during chaos.
- Wayfarer Airlines: In Episode 2, Carol flies on Wayfarer Airlines. This is the same airline involved in the tragic mid-air collision over Albuquerque in Breaking Bad. The reference creates unease, hinting at the mass death that occurred during the global Joining as pilots and others were affected.
- An X-Files Nod: Gilligan also confirmed at least one Easter egg from The X-Files, a show he wrote for. In the first episode, a scientist’s laptop bears a sticker with the famous phrase “I want to believe.”
The Dark New Theory Sparked by Episode 6
The HDP revelation has led to a disturbing fan theory about the true purpose of the hive mind. If the Others are doomed to starve because they cannot harvest food, some viewers question why an advanced alien intelligence would send such a flawed program to Earth.
One theory suggests the hive mind is not a gift but a weapon. The alien signal may have been designed to transform a potentially threatening civilization like humanity into a peaceful collective that will ultimately die off, solving a problem for another species in the universe. This idea is similar to the “Dark Forest” theory explored in other science fiction, which proposes that alien civilizations stay hidden to avoid destruction.
Where to Watch and What’s Next
Pluribus Episode 6 is currently streaming on Apple TV+. New episodes of the first season are released weekly. The series has already been renewed for a second season.
The show stars Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka, a misanthropic author who becomes the unlikely hero trying to save the world from enforced happiness. Vince Gilligan created the series specifically with Seehorn in mind after working with her on Better Call Saul.
“I like writing heroes again. Carol Sturka is a hero. She’s imperfect… but we root for her. She wants to do the right thing, and she wants to save the world. And that’s refreshing,” Gilligan said about his protagonist.
Also Read: FBI Season 8 Episode 9 Release and Two-Hour Finale Event: Everything You Need to Know
