It's been over six months since the post-apocalyptic Apple TV Plus show Pluribus premiered, and it's still living rent-free in my mind. But why isn't it for everybody else?
When the show first landed, it seemed to make a sizeable splash. Bells clanged for the streaming network's 'most watched show' in its history, beating the streamer's megahit Severance to the top spot. That's not its only accolade - it boasts a 99% Rotten Tomatoes critics' score based on a whopping 184 reviews, and lead star Rhea Seehorn has deservedly scooped up a Golden Globe and Critics Choice award.
Despite its impressive credentials, Pluribus hasn't made the impact it should have. Compared to last year's winner, Britt Lower, I've not heard a peep about Rhea. This is what happened to other major Apple hits like Severance, which burst into the mainstream with a bang, so even people who hadn't seen the series could recognize Britt Lower as Helly from a mile away.
All of this buzz was well-deserved, and it's firmly earned its place in the zeitgeist. So, with similar levels of acclaim, I can't understand why Pluribus hasn't made the same leap. Especially when it comes to lead star Rhea, who delivers one of the best performances on TV this year. Yet when I mention the show to friends and family, I normally encounter the glazed-over look of someone who has no idea what I'm talking about.
The show's creator, Vince Gilligan, spoke about how the show came into being. 'People don't realise how damn long it takes me to come up with things,' he said. 'It's been the better part of a decade. When COVID hit, I remember thinking, oh, damn, everybody's going to think this is about COVID.' Despite this, the show has been met with criticism, with some accusing it of being 'boring' and too much of a 'slow burn' to get into.
I agree that the show does have a slower pace and takes its time building this new world Carol is plunged into, but I would argue that for those who stick with it, this makes it all the better. As a character, Carol is far more than a grumpy writer who loathes her fanbase. She'd known love, desire, and had found her slice of happiness before it was cruelly snatched away from her.
Rhea Seehorn's portrayal of Carol is masterful, and she does a great job of portraying the grief she goes through, both for humanity and for her own life. The show's compelling dynamic between Carol and the virus-infected Zosia, played by fellow Emmy-nominated Karolina Wydra, raises a whole host of moral conundrums. I want to dissect the show with my friends, but aside from a handful of fellow fans, I've been bereft of the juicy, widespread debates about the twists and turns of the plot, Rhea's award-winning turn, and everyone's theories about season two.
It's time for Apple TV viewers to come out of their shell and give Pluribus a chance. Don't be shy! I can only hope more people switch on before the second season arrives and Rhea has to win the Emmy to make it so. Pluribus is available to stream on Apple TV Plus now.
