Vince Gilligan, the creator behind iconic series like Breaking Bad, has a very personal reason for filling the skies of his new show Pluribus with aircraft. In a recent promotional interview for the Apple TV series, Gilligan revealed that his own real-life hobby of flying helicopters is what he jokingly calls his “midlife crisis”. This passion has directly shaped the look and feel of his post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama, making aviation a key visual signature in a story about a world transformed.
Pluribus premiered on November 7, 2025, on Apple TV+. The series stars Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka, a fantasy romance author who becomes one of only thirteen people immune to a global event called “The Joining.”. This event, sparked by an alien virus, transforms the rest of humanity into a peaceful, single-minded collective known as the “Others”. The show’s first season consists of nine episodes, with new episodes releasing weekly and the finale scheduled for December 26, 2025.
How a Personal Hobby Became a Show’s Signature
During an Apple TV interview, Gilligan’s co-star Rhea Seehorn pointed out the frequent appearance of helicopters, airplanes, and drones in the series. Gilligan’s response was candid, directly connecting his personal life to his creative work.
“Yeah, I love aviation. It is my midlife crisis. I learned how to fly late in life and I fly helicopters and it is the single coolest thing about me,” Gilligan stated.
He went on to praise the skill of the pilot who executes a dramatic scene in the show involving an excavator being airlifted. Gilligan also explained that drones are used not just for filming the show but are written into the story itself, acting almost like characters within the world of Pluribus. For the creator, incorporating elements he personally finds fascinating is a natural part of the storytelling process.
The Making of ‘Pluribus’: A Decade-Long Idea
The concept for Pluribus began forming in Gilligan’s mind nearly a decade ago, while he was still writing for Better Call Saul. He originally envisioned a story about a man who becomes the sole focus of a world that has suddenly become unfailingly nice. However, as he developed the idea, he realized the central role was meant for Rhea Seehorn.
Gilligan wrote the part of Carol Sturka specifically for Seehorn without initially telling her, captivated by her on-screen charisma and range. After wrapping the final season of Better Call Saul in 2022, he offered her the role, and she accepted immediately without even reading the script. The series represents a major creative departure for Gilligan, moving away from the gritty crime world of Albuquerque to explore original science fiction.
He has spoken about a desire to create a new story in an industry focused on existing intellectual property (IP), stating, “Every generation deserves its own stories, instead of just the stories of their grandparents.”. He also expressed a shift in wanting to focus on a protagonist who is a force for good, saying he believes “we need more heroes.”.
What ‘Pluribus’ Is About
The show presents a unique kind of apocalypse. Instead of violent zombies or desolate wastelands, humanity is infected by a virus that makes them blissfully content and mentally unified. They refer to themselves as “We” and claim to want to help the remaining immune individuals.
Carol Sturka, grieving the loss of her partner Helen during the initial chaos, finds herself relentlessly pursued by this polite and accommodating hive mind. A representative named Zosia, played by Karolina Wydra, is assigned to fulfill Carol’s every request while the Others work to find a way to assimilate her. The story follows Carol’s desperate, lonely quest to find a way to reverse The Joining, a mission most of the other immune survivors have abandoned.
The series is filmed in Gilligan’s signature location of Albuquerque, New Mexico, but presents it in a new, unsettling light. Early episodes show Carol navigating an empty city where her smallest demand, from stocking a grocery store to acquiring a weapon, is instantly granted by the cooperative billions.
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Critical Reception and Fan Reactions
Pluribus has garnered a mix of strong critical praise and divided audience opinions. The show holds an 8.3/10 rating on IMDb and has earned award nominations, including two Golden Globe Awards. Critics have lauded Gilligan’s ambitious direction and Seehorn’s lead performance.
However, audience reviews on platforms like IMDb highlight a split in viewing experiences. Some praise the show’s original concept, high production value, and slow-burn mystery. Others express frustration with the pacing and the main character’s persistently negative attitude. A common point in fan discussions is the show’s deliberate pace, a trademark of Gilligan’s style that some find testing in this new context.
The first six episodes of the season are currently available for streaming on Apple TV+. The series has already been renewed for a second season.
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