Vince Gilligan’s new series, Pluribus, is packed with subtle nods to his past work. The creator himself confirmed that the show includes hidden references to Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. For fans of his 1990s cult-favorite series, however, there is a special treat: a cleverly hidden X-Files Easter egg in the very first episode.
Gilligan, who wrote some of the most memorable episodes of The X-Files, told The Independent:
“We’ve got Breaking Bad Easter eggs, for sure. Yeah, Better Call Saul, too. You gotta look quick, it happens fast, but there’s at least one X-Files Easter egg in episode one.”
The “I Want to Believe” Sticker
The Easter egg appears in the first five minutes of the premiere episode, titled “We Is Us.” As scientists discover a mysterious alien signal being sent to Earth from 600 light-years away, the scene opens with a camera panning up from behind a laptop.
For just a moment, the camera focuses on a collection of stickers on the back of the computer. Among a NASA parody sticker that says “NERD” and a logo for the James Webb Space Telescope is a bright green sticker featuring the classic cartoon alien face. Circling the alien are the words “I want to believe.”
This phrase is deeply rooted in The X-Files lore. It is the famous slogan from the poster that hung in Fox Mulder’s office throughout the original series, and it also served as the title for the second The X-Files movie released in 2008. This single sticker instantly connects the world of Pluribus to the paranormal investigations of Mulder and Sculty.
Vince Gilligan’s History with The X-Files
Before creating Breaking Bad, Vince Gilligan was a prominent writer and producer on The X-Files. He wrote some of the series’ most acclaimed episodes and was instrumental in developing its unique tone.
His connection to the franchise extends beyond the original show. Gilligan also created The Lone Gunmen, a comedic spin-off that followed the three conspiracy theorist characters from the main series. In a recent interview, he shared a difficult memory from his time working on that show, recalling a negative test-screening experience for the first episode.
“I had to sit through audience testing on the first episode of that show, and I swore on the graves of my forefathers, I will never freaking do that again,” Gilligan said. The experience affected him so deeply that when Breaking Bad was tested, he asked not to be told about it or the results.
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More Gilligan-Verse Connections
The X-Files reference is not the only hidden gem for eagle-eyed fans. Pluribus also features other Easter eggs from what fans call the “Gilligan-verse.”
In Episode 2, “Pirate Lady,” the main character Carol flies on an airline called Wayfarer. This is the same airline that existed in the Breaking Bad universe, most famously involved in the mid-air collision disaster that concluded the show’s second season.
Another nod appears at the end of the first episode. Overwhelmed by grief, Carol pours a drink from a bottle of Macallan 18-year-old whiskey. This expensive Scotch is a callback to Better Call Saul, where a bottle of Macallan played a significant role in a devastating season six scene involving Howard Hamlin.
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How to Find the Easter Egg Yourself
Pluribus is available to stream exclusively on Apple TV. The first season consists of nine episodes, with the finale scheduled for December 26, 2025.
To spot the X-Files Easter egg, start watching from the beginning of Episode 1, “We Is Us.” The sticker appears within the first five minutes, so you have to look quickly during the scene where the scientists first analyze the mysterious alien signal.
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