Apple TVPluribus has been an absolute breeding ground for fan theories and interpretations, but creator Vince Gilligan isn’t going to shut down any of your ideas – even if you compare the Apple TV show to Grand Theft Auto.
The sci-fi series stars Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka, a cynical author who finds herself slap bang in the middle of her own personal nightmare: an alien virus transforms a majority of humanity into a peaceful, happy hive mind.
Carol is one of 13 people who are immune to the virus, but only one other – Manousos (Carlos-Manuel Vesga) – thinks like she does. Since its premiere on Apple TV, there have been countless fan theories, ranging from the hive’s motives to whether Carol’s already found a cure.
Dexerto was lucky enough to catch up with Pluribus creator Vince Gilligan, alongside executive producers and writers Alison Tatlock and Gordon Smith, asking whether they’ve seen any major misinterpretations of the show.
Vince Gilligan says there are not wrong answers with Pluribus
Apple TVGilligan told us, “ I don’t think there really are any misconceptions, not that I’ve heard,” adding, “I’m just happy people watch this show.”
“The thing I care most about is people watch it and enjoy it and it makes them think,” he continued. “The highest compliment of all is if people rewatch something that we’ve made… I really don’t know that I’ve heard any interpretation where I’ve said, ‘That’s wrong!’”
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Smith agreed with this sentiment, stating, “Yeah, or, ‘That’s impossible.’ That would never be the case. That’s certainly the way we think about it.”
Tatlock added, “The best is when we feel surprised, because we have all of our conversations behind the scenes. But then when people come up with theories or metaphors… that are surprising and, to us, weird, that’s thrilling.”
This even applies to the more outlandish theories, one of which was highlighted by Smith. “ Somebody told me they thought the show was like Grand Theft Auto, and I went, ‘Oh, sure! Okay,’” he said.
When asked in what way, Smith replied, “I don’t know… I just went, ‘Okay, that’s so cool that you have a way of thinking about this in terms of indulging in the world and playing the world in a certain way.”
Gilligan added, “I guess that’s true! You drive because the cops are trying to get you in Grand Theft Auto and you just do whatever you want.”
And herein lies the beauty of Pluribus: it’s made by a creative team more interested in getting viewers to think and ask questions than policing answers.
Manousos and Zosia stars discuss “amazing” interpretations
Apple TVDexerto also spoke with Manousos star Carlos-Manuel Vesga and Zosia star Karolina Wydra about their takes on the many fan theories and interpretations.
“The great thing about this show is that it ignites debate, ignites conversation. So you will hear a lot of interpretations of the show that you might not go with, but still are valid,” Vesga explained.
“So I couldn’t talk about a misconception. I would say that the amazing thing about the show is that it will produce different takes and different readings. There are so many layers that you can address with Pluribus… you’ll hear the most amazing perspectives.”
Apple TVVesga went on to share some of the ideas he’s heard: “The other day, somebody was telling me, ‘Oh, the show’s about how people love to suffer.’ I was like, ‘Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.’
“Another person told me, ‘Of course, the show is a metaphor for depression. The whole thing is one person who’s depressed.’ I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s amazing. I never thought of it.’”
Wydra added, “I feel like that’s the brilliance of Vince again… I actually texted that to Vince: ‘You created a show that makes people think, not numb out.’”
Pluribus Episodes 1-7 are streaming on Apple TV now, with Episode 8 to land on December 19. For more theories, read about speculation that Carol has already found a cure, that this is the “perfect ending” for Carol, and that Carol is connected to the hive mind.