Apple TV+’s new science fiction series Pluribus has a direct link to the classic television show The Twilight Zone. Series creator Vince Gilligan chose the last name of his main character, Carol Sturka, from a specific 1960 episode of the iconic anthology series. This choice is more than a simple nod, sparking fan theories and highlighting the deep inspiration Gilligan draws from the show he calls his favorite.
The connection centers on the name Sturka. In an interview for Apple TV, Gilligan confirmed that the surname for his protagonist, played by Rhea Seehorn, comes from William Sturka, a character in The Twilight Zone Season 1, Episode 14, “Third from the Sun.”. The creator, known for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has also stated that The Twilight Zone is “maybe my favorite TV show of all time”.
While Pluribus is an original story about an alien virus creating a peaceful global hive mind, Gilligan’s use of the Sturka name creates a bridge between the two science fiction worlds. Fans are now analyzing both shows to see if this link is a fun homage or a clue to a larger, hidden connection.
The “Third from the Sun” Connection Explained
The Twilight Zone episode that inspired Carol Sturka’s name is a key piece of science fiction history. “Third from the Sun” first aired on January 8, 1960. The story follows William Sturka (played by Fritz Weaver), a scientist working in weapons research who fears an impending nuclear war.
To save his family, William plans to steal an advanced spaceship and escape their doomed planet. After a tense narrative, he and his family succeed in launching the spacecraft. The episode’s famous twist ending reveals that the planet they are fleeing to, described as “the third planet from the sun,” is actually Earth. The audience realizes they have been watching aliens the entire time.
“Specifically I got it from an episode of The Twilight Zone called ‘Third from the Sun’,” Vince Gilligan explained about the origin of the name.
This revelation reshapes the entire story, a narrative technique that has influenced countless creators, including Gilligan. By taking the Sturka name from this episode, he links Pluribus to a classic tale of escape, alien perspective, and planetary survival.
Fan Theories: Is Pluribus a Secret Sequel?
The deliberate use of the Sturka name has led to widespread speculation among viewers. A popular theory suggests that Pluribus could be a direct sequel to the “Third from the Sun” episode.
The theory proposes that Carol Sturka is a descendant of William Sturka and his family. If William’s family were aliens who came to Earth, as the episode’s twist implies, then Carol could also be an alien. This could provide a potential explanation for her immunity to the alien “Joining” virus in Pluribus; if the virus is designed to affect only humans, her non-human biology might protect her.
This idea gains some traction from the shared themes of nuclear threat between the two stories. William Sturka was trying to escape nuclear annihilation. In Pluribus, during a conversation with the hive mind, Carol sarcastically asks if they would give her an atomic bomb, and they confirm they would. Some fans theorize the hive mind’s peaceful takeover could be an extreme alien solution to prevent human self-destruction through war.
However, the theory faces a significant hurdle: Carol is not the only immune person. There are 12 other people around the world who also resisted the virus. The theory does not clearly explain their immunity unless they, too, are descendants of other alien arrivals.
More Than a Name: The Twilight Zone‘s Broader Influence
Gilligan’s homage extends beyond a single character name. Reviewers and fans note that the entire tone and structure of Pluribus feel like an extended, modern chapter of The Twilight Zone. The series presents a high-concept, mysterious scenario—a benevolent global takeover—and explores its philosophical and human consequences through the eyes of one resistant individual.
This approach is a hallmark of Rod Serling’s classic series. Pluribus has also been compared to specific Twilight Zone episodes beyond “Third from the Sun.” Critics see parallels with “To Serve Man,” an episode where seemingly friendly aliens arrive on Earth with a sinister hidden agenda.
The connection is also personal for Gilligan. Before creating the gritty, realistic worlds of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, he was a writer and producer on the paranormal investigative series The X-Files. That show, itself deeply indebted to The Twilight Zone’s legacy of unexplained phenomena, showcased Gilligan’s early interest in blending the ordinary with the extraordinary.
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What the Cast and Creator Say
For star Rhea Seehorn, who plays Carol Sturka, the show is designed to provoke deep conversation. She has noted that Pluribus inspires dialogue about “community versus the individual” and how we define happiness. Seehorn stated that the show meets viewers where they are, with some seeing it as a portrait of grief and others as a commentary on subjects like artificial intelligence.
Gilligan’s inspiration for the character’s first name adds another layer of personal homage. “Carol” is a tribute to comedy legend Carol Burnett, who appeared in Better Call Saul and also has a role in Pluribus.
The first season of Pluribus, consisting of nine episodes, premiered on November 7, 2025, and finished its season on December 26, 2025. A second season has already been ordered by Apple TV+. As the story continues, fans will be watching closely to see if the link to The Twilight Zone remains a respectful tribute or evolves into a central plot point.
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