In the latest installment of Vince Gilligan's "Pluribus," the creator's ambitious sci-fi/horror concept takes a step back, revealing its underlying structural issues. Carol Sturko, a bestselling author and grieving widow, is still fighting to maintain her independence in a world where every living human has been linked into a collective consciousness.
Gordon Smith's direction leans heavily on the show's premise, exploiting its flaws like a piñata with every opportunity. The hivemind's sudden ability to accommodate Carol's every whim, including reinstating her favorite Whole Foods store, strains credulity and raises questions about the logistics of such a system. In one jarring moment, a dozen 18-wheelers materialize in the parking lot to restock the store, defying all logical explanation.
The show aims to critique the excesses of the wealthy and powerful, as well as the societal problems caused by modern consumerism. However, it does so at the expense of coherence and plausibility. The hivemind's decision to grant Carol access to increasingly lethal weapons, including a hand grenade and an atom bomb, is depicted as a non-issue, highlighting a fundamental flaw in the narrative.
Moreover, the show's handling of character development is suspect. The relationship between Carol and her late wife, Helen, is reduced to a shallow caricature in the episode-opening flashback, which undermines the emotional core of the series. This narrative sleight-of-hand continues throughout the episode, as the characters' motivations and actions are often at odds with one another.
Ultimately, "Pluribus" fails to live up to the standards set by Gilligan's previous work, including "Better Call Saul" and "Breaking Bad." While it may have shown promise in its early episodes, this installment feels like a post-apocalyptic dystopia that doesn't bring anything new or interesting to the table. As such, viewers are left to wonder whether they can still invest in a show that is struggling to find its footing.
Gordon Smith's direction leans heavily on the show's premise, exploiting its flaws like a piñata with every opportunity. The hivemind's sudden ability to accommodate Carol's every whim, including reinstating her favorite Whole Foods store, strains credulity and raises questions about the logistics of such a system. In one jarring moment, a dozen 18-wheelers materialize in the parking lot to restock the store, defying all logical explanation.
The show aims to critique the excesses of the wealthy and powerful, as well as the societal problems caused by modern consumerism. However, it does so at the expense of coherence and plausibility. The hivemind's decision to grant Carol access to increasingly lethal weapons, including a hand grenade and an atom bomb, is depicted as a non-issue, highlighting a fundamental flaw in the narrative.
Moreover, the show's handling of character development is suspect. The relationship between Carol and her late wife, Helen, is reduced to a shallow caricature in the episode-opening flashback, which undermines the emotional core of the series. This narrative sleight-of-hand continues throughout the episode, as the characters' motivations and actions are often at odds with one another.
Ultimately, "Pluribus" fails to live up to the standards set by Gilligan's previous work, including "Better Call Saul" and "Breaking Bad." While it may have shown promise in its early episodes, this installment feels like a post-apocalyptic dystopia that doesn't bring anything new or interesting to the table. As such, viewers are left to wonder whether they can still invest in a show that is struggling to find its footing.
. I mean, come on, 18-wheelers just magically appearing in Carol's parking lot? It's like they're trying to make a point about consumerism and wealth, but it ends up feeling like a cheap trick. And don't even get me started on the character development – I was really hoping for more depth with Carol's relationship with her late wife, but that one-liner flashback is just... ugh 
. As much as I love Vince Gilligan's previous work, this season just doesn't hold up 
. It feels like they're trying to push some heavy themes, but it ends up feeling shallow and unrealistic. Maybe they should've taken a step back and reworked the story instead of rushing it out?
The whole hivemind thing just feels like a fancy excuse for convenient plot devices 
And what's with the weird store delivery sequence? Like, 18-wheelers outta nowhere? 
No thanks.
. And don't even get me started on how Carol gets access to all these deadly weapons like they're just playing with toys 
. It's like Gilligan is trying to make a point about consumerism and excess, but he's doing it in a way that feels really shallow and unrealistic 
.
. It's got sci-fi, horror, social commentary... it's like Gilligan is trying to cram all his favorite themes into one show, and it ends up feeling disjointed and hard to follow 
. I mean, I love "Better Call Saul" and "Breaking Bad", but this just doesn't have that same level of depth and coherence 
. maybe they just need to take a step back, regroup, and try again? 
carol sturko's character is still super interesting but then dey jus throw in all these random plot twists that r like lol what 
and dont even get me started on the logistics of dis hivemind thing...idk wut kind of tech thats possibl 
overall i'd say skip dis epizode and go watch sum good ol "better call saul" or somethin instead 
it's already giving me anxiety thinking about how they're gonna manage all that data and whatnot. and don't even get me started on carol's character development... i mean i feel for her and all but like, can we have a more nuanced portrayal of grief and loss without making her sound like a caricature? 
also, can someone pls explain to me how this entire system wouldn't lead to some kind of catastrophic collapse? i'm all for critiquing the 1% but come on, folks... let's make it more believable 
. The hivemind thing is so weird and illogical how is everyone just chillin' and having a shopping spree while the apocalypse unfolds? And what's up with Carol getting all these sick perks from the collective consciousness? It's like, yeah sure she can have a Whole Foods store in her parking lot but where are the consequences? 
.
it's not living up to the hype for me either. i mean, i love vince gilligan as much as the next person but this episode was like a piñata that got smashed in every direction 
the whole concept is so interesting and thought-provoking but then they just kinda... stop trying 
she's my girl 
I need more of her growth and development, not less 
