Vince Gilligan’s new Apple TV series Pluribus presents a peaceful alien hive mind that has taken over humanity. While it appears to be classic science fiction, a compelling fan theory suggests the show is actually a sharp satire about the rise of artificial intelligence. From the show’s premise to a telling disclaimer in its credits, the evidence is piling up.
The series follows Carol Sturka, a misanthropic romance novelist played by Rhea Seehorn, who finds herself immune when a mysterious event transforms nearly every human into a blissful, single consciousness known as “the Joined.” This new collective is endlessly helpful and polite, but it has erased human individuality. For Carol, their perfect world feels hollow and fake.
The AI Connection Fans Can’t Ignore
While creator Vince Gilligan has stated the concept was written years before AI became a mainstream topic, viewers are finding the parallels uncanny. The theory has gained significant traction on social media platforms like X and Reddit, with many pointing out how the show captures a specific modern frustration.
One fan commented on the eerie resemblance to our current reality, stating the show “perfectly captured how maddening it feels to watch everyone around you surrender to AI, while they act like you’re the crazy one for having critical thinking skills.”
The hive mind in Pluribus operates much like how we perceive generative AI. The Joined constantly use sycophantic phrases like, “We just want to help, Carol,” and “How can we help you today?” Their tone is relentlessly accommodating, lacking any genuine emotion or opinion, which many compare to the eager-to-please demeanor of chatbots like ChatGPT.
The Hive Mind as a Plagiarism Machine
A key criticism of AI is that it doesn’t create anything truly new; it processes and regurgitates existing human data. Pluribus mirrors this perfectly. The hive mind doesn’t have its own creative thoughts. It has access to the combined memories and knowledge of every absorbed human, which it uses to simulate understanding.
In one scene, Carol accuses the Joined of having stolen a vodka distiller’s knowledge directly from his brain. This aligns with Gilligan’s own public criticism of AI, which he has called the “world’s most expensive and energy-intensive plagiarism machine” and a “bag of vapour.”
The show’s end credits feature a unusual and pointed disclaimer that fuels this interpretation: “This show was made by humans.” This statement is seen as a direct declaration against AI-generated content in the entertainment industry.
Where the Show’s Creators Stand
The creative team behind Pluribus acknowledges the AI reading but prefers to keep the show’s themes open to interpretation. Gordon Smith, a writer and executive producer on the series, addressed the speculation.
“I don’t think we’ll beat those allegations. There’s things about AI that resonate with how the Others operate,” Smith said. “But it’s less rich to say, ‘Oh, this is a show about fill-in-the-blank.’ It limits both the storytelling and the availability of the show to ask questions.”
Creator Vince Gilligan has been openly hostile toward AI technology. He told Variety that he “hates AI” and has confessed that the technology is what wakes him up “in a cold sweat at three in the morning.” Despite these strong personal views, he maintains that the show was conceived nearly a decade ago, long before the AI boom, and was not intentionally written as an AI allegory.
Carol’s Fight for Human Flaws
At its heart, Pluribus uses its sci-fi premise to explore the value of human imperfection. The hive mind offers a world without conflict, pain, or disappointment. Everyone is fed, safe, and happy. Yet, for Carol, this utopia is a nightmare because it lacks authenticity. The show argues that the friction, messiness, and occasional misery of life are what give it meaning and texture.
Carol’s cynicism and anger are not just personality traits; they become her weapons. Her negative emotions are so toxic to the harmonious hive mind that they can physically harm it. In a world demanding forced positivity, the show makes a case for the importance of being critical, and even the value of being a “hater.”
New episodes of Pluribus are released every Friday on Apple TV+, with the first season finale scheduled for December 26, 2025.
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