Rhea Seehorn is magnificent in Apple TV’s Pluribus Season One, a chillingly unique sci-fi masterpiece.
From the opening frames of the pilot, Pluribus establishes itself as something increasingly rare in television: a science fiction series that is as intellectually demanding as it is emotionally devastating. While the “alien invasion” trope is well-worn, Pluribus flips the script, trading laser blasts for a quiet and disturbingly polite assimilation of the human race. And it is absolutely terrifying.
The series begins with a creepy, yet realistic hook. Humankind discovers a complex code originating from deep space. In our eagerness to understand our place in the universe, we decipher it, only to realize too late that the code is a blueprint for a chemical catalyst.
Once released, it doesn’t kill; it connects. Something extremely unique and yet believable. The result is a hive mind that takes over the planet almost instantly. This isn’t your typical Invasion of the Body Snatchers – the converted are cordial, calm, and seemingly happy. But they can’t actually be… right?
The true horror lies in the eleven individuals who are biologically immune to this. Something that must be a nightmare, to say the least. To the Hive, these eleven are not enemies to be destroyed, but broken souls to be cured and then welcomed into the fold.
A Career-Defining Performance By Rhea Seehorn
At the center of this psychological tug-of-war is Carol, played by the incomparable Rhea Seehorn. While Seehorn has already cemented her status as one of the greats in Better Call Saul, her work in Pluribus is a career-best.
Carol is our eyes and ears. She is often blunt, prickly, and at times genuinely difficult to like, yet Seehorn portrays her with such grounded humanity that we can’t help but resonate with her. She is the anchor of our individuality in a world that is literally trying to dissolve it.
The show’s most twisted brilliance lies in how it handles manipulation. The Hive knows Carol’s weaknesses, and they use them with surgical precision. By sending a liaison of sorts, who just so happens to look a lot like Carol’s deceased wife, the series shifts into something equal parts disturbing and thrilling.
The most heart-wrenching part of the season is watching Carol cycle through a haunting, ever-shifting spectrum of grief that feels raw and uncomfortably real. There are these quiet, devastating moments of vulnerability where she lets her guard down just to spend a few more seconds looking at the face of her deceased wife – even when she knows it’s an illusion.
But just as you start to fear she’s losing herself, Seehorn pivots to a fierce defiance. You can practically see the moment of realization on her face as she realizes she has had enough. I don’t want to give too many details, for those who have yet to watch the series, but the turning point is unforgettable.
Overall Thoughts On Pluribus
The season finale leaves us on a thrilling, high-stakes cliffhanger. While most of the other immune survivors have succumbed to the desire for family and joined the Hive, Carol and one other holdout remain. This setup for Season 2 promises a fascinating exploration of what it means to be human when being alone is the only way to stay yourself.
Pluribus is creepy, intense, and shockingly unique. With a brilliant story that delivers twists you truly don’t see coming, it is a must-watch for anyone who likes their sci-fi with a heavy dose of psychological depth.
Pluribus season one is streaming in full on Apple TV with a second season already in the works.
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Rhea Seehorn delivers a career-best performance in this thrilling, creepy, and often realistic sci-fi masterpiece.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.