Pluribus - New Show From Vince Gilligan on Apple TV

[Locke]

An absolutely Glacial pace. Focus more on Manousos. He's at least interesting.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Locke

An absolutely Glacial pace. Focus more on Manousos. He's at least interesting.

I'm all for a good slow burn but the pacing of this how has to be measured in Geological terms...

But when you spend as much time focusing on an unlikable character it makes it hard to get into. I'm still in it for the ride so far though.

Thus far its been interesting...I'm just not sure its 'interesting enough.'

I thought I'd enjoy a show about a character who is the most miserable person on Earth but its not gripping me that way so far.

It's possible this series is just not for you.

I love the pacing. It fits the narrative, probably. What do your days look like when you are the only 'real' person in your world.

[CaptainYooh]

Has anyone figured out the timers?

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Has anyone figured out the timers?

It’s nothing complicated. Just the amount of time since the contagion got out of the lab. In episode one the timer was counting down to that moment, and since then it’s been counting up. Just a way to let the viewer know how long it’s been and when things are shown out of order. For example, tonight the first scene actually happened 11ish days after Carol meets Manousos.

[CaptainYooh]

I doubt it. Timers are all out of whack without any rhyme or reason to them. It was 70d+ when the latest episode started in a village and then 60d+ - later in the episode.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I doubt it. Timers are all out of whack without any rhyme or reason to them. It was 70d+ when the latest episode started in a village and then 60d+ - later in the episode.

Yeah, those scenes are shown out of order. The conversion scene takes place chronologically at about the time Carol is at the ski lodge. Z even mentions to Carol that it just happened.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I doubt it. Timers are all out of whack without any rhyme or reason to them. It was 70d+ when the latest episode started in a village and then 60d+ - later in the episode.

it's not rocket surgery

[undercoverbrother]

I enjoy this show.

There is something about the pacing that I enjoy, and I am a guy who hates slow-paced shows (Silo, for example).

But a lot is going on in these episodes.

Now what, 2 yrs to season 2?

[SportsJunky]

Yeah, I shouldn't enjoy the slow pace and yet I do for the most part. I think Carol is a flawed and interesting character. I'm kind of enjoying watching her figure things out in her own time.

[mikephoen]

Reflecting on season one, I'd say I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. I want to see more, but I'm definitely underwhelmed with what has come so far. It's beautifully shot and acted, but that was pretty much a given.

Two years (or more) is a ridiculous amount of time to wait for another season of any show, but especially for one that's as slow paced as this one.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Reflecting on season one, I'd say I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. I want to see more, but I'm definitely underwhelmed with what has come so far. It's beautifully shot and acted, but that was pretty much a given.

Two years (or more) is a ridiculous amount of time to wait for another season of any show, but especially for one that's as slow paced as this one.

Yeah, same here.

[Kidder]

The scene where the drone comes to pick up the garbage bag. That’s why I love this show. I’m just enjoying the journey. I haven’t felt the compulsion to figure out what exactly is going on. I love Vince Gilligan cinematography. I love Rhea Seehorn. And I love mind-#### stories.

The latter is what is missing. After the first couple episodes they have focussed more on onfolding the characters experience with the universe and herself, less on advancing the plot.

But I’m ok with that. I’m just going to enjoy the ride. And everything doesn’t have to be an exhilarating roller coaster, a scenic trot through a beautiful landscape can be just as enthralling to me.

[troutman]

I loved this:

While lounging by a pool, she read The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, a sci-fi novel about how a frozen alien world was able to function in the absence of gender.

https://www.goldderby.com/tv/2025/pl...io-waves-bomb/

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I haven't read any of this thread until today, and I found a lot of the reactions funny. I think this is a brilliant show, and has the ability to investigate the nature of humanity in a completely new and unique way. I think choosing a random and deeply flawed human as the last representative of the human race was an excellent choice, rather than a real heroic type of character you want to cheer for. It allows you to see things from the perspective of The Others and begin to agree with them in a lot of ways. That way you aren't fully on the side of one group or the other, and creates a bit of an internal conflict in the viewer. The performances are very, very strong, and the writing has done a good job of anticipating what the audience expects, addresses those expectations, but then deviates in new and unanticipated directions. I love every bit of this show so far, and I can't wait for more.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I haven't read any of this thread until today, and I found a lot of the reactions funny. I think this is a brilliant show, and has the ability to investigate the nature of humanity in a completely new and unique way. I think choosing a random and deeply flawed human as the last representative of the human race was an excellent choice, rather than a real heroic type of character you want to cheer for. It allows you to see things from the perspective of The Others and begin to agree with them in a lot of ways. That way you aren't fully on the side of one group or the other, and creates a bit of an internal conflict in the viewer. The performances are very, very strong, and the writing has done a good job of anticipating what the audience expects, addresses those expectations, but then deviates in new and unanticipated directions. I love every bit of this show so far, and I can't wait for more.

I don't think I'd call Carol 'deeply flawed'. If anything Gillian's protagonists have been getting less flawed as he goes. Walter White was deeply flawed. Jimmy was flawed... and became more flawed as he moved more toward the Saul persona. But Carol is just sarcastic and a bit grumpy. In my opinion, Carol is not very close to a true anti-hero like Walter White, Tony Soprano, Dexter etc.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

I don't think I'd call Carol 'deeply flawed'. If anything Gillian's protagonists have been getting less flawed as he goes. Walter White was deeply flawed. Jimmy was flawed... and became more flawed as he moved more toward the Saul persona. But Carol is just sarcastic and a bit grumpy. In my opinion, Carol is not very close to a true anti-hero like Walter White, Tony Soprano, Dexter etc.

Her flaw is that she craves companionship and recognition. I think that makes her the ultimate example of humanity IMHO. It's a fatal flaw of humankind that the show is attempting to expose.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I haven't read any of this thread until today, and I found a lot of the reactions funny. I think this is a brilliant show, and has the ability to investigate the nature of humanity in a completely new and unique way. I think choosing a random and deeply flawed human as the last representative of the human race was an excellent choice, rather than a real heroic type of character you want to cheer for. It allows you to see things from the perspective of The Others and begin to agree with them in a lot of ways. That way you aren't fully on the side of one group or the other, and creates a bit of an internal conflict in the viewer. The performances are very, very strong, and the writing has done a good job of anticipating what the audience expects, addresses those expectations, but then deviates in new and unanticipated directions. I love every bit of this show so far, and I can't wait for more.

Agree 100%
Some people should stick to Yellowstone/Landman/1883 & 1923/Lioness/Marshals. And there is nothing wrong with those series. Lots of action/fast paced. Entertaining. New one out every couple months.
This is kind of the opposite of those and is not for everyone.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Agree 100%
Some people should stick to Yellowstone/Landman/1883 & 1923/Lioness/Marshals. And there is nothing wrong with those series. Lots of action/fast paced. Entertaining. New one out every couple months.
This is kind of the opposite of those and is not for everyone.

Conversely, to anyone who is really enjoying this show, I would recommend checking out some other sci-fi stories. So far Gilligan and the show's writers are really walking some well trodden paths within the sci-fi genre. The hive mind stuff is barely a step above 'happy Borg', and the signal from another planet that is actually a sophisticated trap has been a trope since at least the 1950s.

For some really mind blowing sci-fi ideas, I would recommend Dan Simmons or Adrian Tchaikovsky. For some more interesting takes on hive minds, George RR Martin delves into this a lot in his pre-Game of Thrones work (it's in the GoT novels as well, but you have to dig pretty deep to uncover it). I especially recommend A Song for Lya, although that one is out of print I believe, so a bit hard to track down.

You have 2+ years to kill while waiting for the next season anyway, so you might as well.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Her flaw is that she craves companionship and recognition. I think that makes her the ultimate example of humanity IMHO. It's a fatal flaw of humankind that the show is attempting to expose.

IMO craving companionship is not a fatal flaw by any stretch. I don’t think that’s the precise “flaw” this show is trying to expose. It’s more about genuineness and authenticity and whether getting what we want is actually meaningful.
I just finished the season and IMO it’s a good show but not a great show, at least not yet. It is incredibly watchable and well filmed. And the concept is thoughtful. But the show is deeply lacking in layers, something that other great shows (IMO) had.
If in fact it is two years until the next season, that is honestly kind of ridiculous. Unlike some other shows though, it won’t be hard to pick it back up. Very little has happened this season.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

IMO craving companionship is not a fatal flaw by any stretch. I don’t think that’s the precise “flaw” this show is trying to expose. It’s more about genuineness and authenticity and whether getting what we want is actually meaningful.
I just finished the season and IMO it’s a good show but not a great show, at least not yet. It is incredibly watchable and well filmed. And the concept is thoughtful. But the show is deeply lacking in layers, something that other great shows (IMO) had.
If in fact it is two years until the next season, that is honestly kind of ridiculous. Unlike some other shows though, it won’t be hard to pick it back up. Very little has happened this season.

All we'll need to do in 2 years is read a screen shot of Carol's white board and we should be completely caught up!