Pluribus - Season 1

“Pluribus centers a queer woman who learns empathy—the antithesis of the toxic men who usually anchor ‘prestige’ shows.”

Title: Pluribus
Episodes Reviewed: Season 1
Creator: Vince Gilligan 👨🏼🇺🇸
Writers: Vince Gilligan 👨🏼🇺🇸(2 eps), Gordon Smith 👨🏼🇺🇸 (2 eps), Alison Tatlock 👩🏼🇺🇸 (2 eps), Ariel Levine 👩🏼🇺🇸 (1 ep), Vera Blasi 👩🏽🇧🇷 (1 ep), Jenn Carroll 👩🏼🇺🇸 (1 ep), and Jonny Gomez 👨🏽🇺🇸 (1 ep)

Reviewed by Sam 🧑🏻🇺🇸🌈

Technical: 4.5/5

After years of crafting Breaking Bad (2008–13) and Better Call Saul’s (2015–22) shared universe, Vince Gilligan shifts away from gritty crime dramas with sci-fi series Pluribus. The Apple TV original follows a fantasy author, Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), who survives as one of the few immune people after an alien virus turns the rest of humanity into a hive mind called the “Others.” She searches for a way to reverse the “Joining” process with the help of Manousos Oviedo (Carlos-Manuel Vesga), another immune individual.

Pluribus’ pacing demands patience, but the payoff is well worth the wait, and several shocking plot twists keep the virus’ mystery engaging. Like another Apple TV show, Severance (2022–), Pluribus is a masterclass in worldbuilding. The writers drop clues through visual storytelling and let the audience piece together what’s happening. Gilligan also tackles timely themes, such as the crushing feeling of isolation. In an era when it’s all too easy to forgo interacting with others, it’s inspiring to watch a show that adamantly argues for human connection.

Gender: 5/5
Does it pass the Bechdel Test? YES

It’s rare for a show to lean into the idea of a troubled heroine and even more uncommon to center on an “unlikable” female character. That’s why Carol is the best part of Pluribus. While the hive mind society dons a smile and a cheery attitude, Carol walks around grumpily. She lashes out at the Others and makes selfish decisions that hurt other people.

The show embraces her imperfections and gives her room to both grieve her past and grow out of her loneliness. Pluribus gradually reveals Carol’s backstory as viewers learn about her alcohol addiction and relationship with her wife. The show treats these plot points with the gravity they deserve. While these scenes may explain Carol’s brashness and reluctance to open up, the series never uses it to excuse her flaws or actions.

The character’s impactfulness likely stems from the fact that she was written by female writers, who make up about half of the show’s writing credits. Carol offers one of the most empathetic, three-dimensional portrayals of a woman currently airing on TV.

Race: 4.5/5

Even though the cast is small, the supporting ensemble features two characters of color in pivotal roles. One is Koumba Diabaté (Samba Schutte), a Mauritanian who’s immune to the virus, and he coordinates communication among other immune people while living in luxury. His desire to cooperate starkly contrasts with Carol’s refusal to live harmoniously with the hive mind.

The other character of color is Manousos, portrayed by Colombian actor Manuel Vesga, who travels from Paraguay alone to find Carol. Manousos similarly despises the Others and refuses their help, even when his journey turns deadly. Manousos’ character development as a non-English-speaking Latino is a welcome departure from Gilligan’s previous work, which has been criticized for stereotyping Latinos as criminals. Manousos’ story of resilience and self-sufficiency makes him a fascinating character to watch. Going into the second season, it’s clear he might be the key to saving humans from the virus.

LGBTQ: 5/5

From the first episode, Pluribus signals how being a lesbian is an essential part of Carol’s identity. When the virus arrives, Carol’s manager and wife, Helen (Miriam Shor), has a fatal seizure. Helen’s death explains why Carol treats the Others with aggression, and Carol’s grief shapes the story as she begins a relationship with Zosia (Karolina Kydra), a Polish woman the hive mind sends to Carol.

Zosia resembles the fictional character from Carol’s book series, which she had self-censored to feature a straight rather than queer relationship. While Carol initially recognizes how strange it is that the hive mind sent Zosia to her, she eventually gives in and sleeps with Zosia, marking the moment when Carol briefly stops resisting the hive mind. No matter how messy and morally gray their romance is, it’s still refreshing to see a sapphic relationship that’s meaningfully incorporated into the story.

Pluribus also acknowledges Carol’s struggles with her sexuality. The show links Carol going through conversion therapy when she was younger to her resistance to conformity and her fear of the Others. This insight adds valuable nuance while explaining Carol’s motivation to reverse the Joining.

Mediaversity Grade: A 4.75/5

Nominated for 18 Emmys (and winning six) in its first season alone, Pluribus has secured its status as a beloved, prestige series. Better yet, it’s the opposite of male antihero dramas like Mad Men (2007–15) or The Sopranos (1999-2007), where men are shown tragically succumbing to their own toxicity (but glamorously so). In contrast, Pluribus centers a queer female character who learns empathy. Until its highly anticipated second season, fans have been left to theorize how Carol and Manousos will defeat the virus and save humanity.

Like Pluribus? Try these other titles with great lesbian leads.

Grade: ALiSeptember 21, 2026Great for: Gender, Great for: LGBTQ