Apple TV Made Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Essential Again With This Modern Masterpiece

5 days ago 8

Carlos-Manuel Vesga with a map looking worried in the Pluribus finale.

Published May 3, 2026, 7:27 PM EDT

Erin Konrad's love for everything entertainment dates back to elementary school when she became obsessed with classic Hollywood musicals. When she's not catching up on all her favorite television shows, she's advising her friends and family on what they should binge watch next.

She has her Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Creating content for Collider gives her the opportunity to combine her writing skills with her passion for television and movies. She spends her free time trying to beat her personal record of reading 137 books in a year and cuddling with her dog, Gracie.

For so long, when anyone would talk about the science fiction genre, shows like Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and The X-Files would come to mind. They commonly portrayed space settings or extraterrestrials, and it was difficult for them to reach mainstream audiences. Luckily, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan developed a science fiction series that is completely revitalizing the genre on Apple TV.

What Is 'Pluribus' About?

The best advice on how to watch Pluribus is to go in blind so you don't have any major preconceptions about where the story might be going. However, for a brief overview, the series follows Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), a romance writer who pretty much hates every aspect of her life. Upon grumpily returning to New Mexico after her book tour, Carol is confronted with a massive worldwide event that changes everything: Every person on Earth, except for just a handful of immune individuals, now shares one hivemind. In a fascinating and creative twist, "The Others" are actually deeply invested in making Carol happy. No one wants to hurt her, except that they're pretty set on wanting her to join them. As Carol is forced to find her way in this bizarre, new world, each episode is filled with compelling, quirky storytelling.

Apple TV's 'Pluribus' Makes Sci-Fi an Exciting Genre Again

Pluribus has become a must-watch series because it takes a wild number of risks, with enough twists to keep the narrative exciting. The series also offers a unique blend of genres, so that it doesn't fit in one box. But the series is truly a masterpiece because of its inventive tone and slower-paced vibe. Instead of becoming an action-packed thrill ride, Pluribus is often quiet, but no less powerful. The shocking moments often make way for more subtle emotions that capture an authentic slice of life. We see Carol as a realistic character who is struggling to find her way in a weird environment that is altogether uncomfortable for her. This low-key terror and frustration make Pluribus a realistic, yet still thrilling series, content to stray from the path that other prior sci-fi shows have followed. This futuristic, dystopian mystery will make you question reality and go down rabbit holes trying to decipher the true themes of the series.

Pluribus has also become essential viewing in the sci-fi genre because of its incredible cast. Seehorn is the perfect centerpiece for a show that focuses on a determined, yet broken woman. Seehorn absolutely nails every grimace and eyeroll to illustrate that even in a post-apocalyptic scenario, Carol still possesses her trademark cynicism. There are many scenes where we only see Carol, and because of Seehorn's brilliant performance, we somehow never tire of watching her go on her journey. Karolina Wydra also offers a fascinating portrayal of Zosia, a member of the Others with whom Carol becomes intertwined. Even though Zosia is part of the hivemind, she represents the humanity that is still hidden in the Others' automated synchronicity. We're also treated to a stellar performance from Carlos-Manuel Vesga, who plays Manousos, one of the few other individuals, like Carol, who is immune to the hivemind.

Apple TV has recently become a go-to streamer for top-notch sci-fi dramas. Shows like Severance, Silo, Foundation, and For All Mankind have drawn in viewers looking to be transported to an alternate world. However, since Pluribus premiered last November, it has since become the most-watched series in Apple TV history, besting even mega-hits such as Ted Lasso. These ratings indicate just how influential Pluribus has become. Although the show has been greenlit for Season 2, Gilligan has noted that no clear timeline is in sight for the release of more episodes. With nine episodes available to watch now, there's no reason you shouldn't binge-watch this impressive sci-fi hit today.