Rhea Seehorn is making waves in the entertainment industry with her powerful portrayal of Carol Sturka in the new sci-fi series, Pluribus, streaming on Apple TV+. The show, created by renowned producer Vince Gilligan, has captivated audiences as Seehorn recently won a Golden Globe and a Critics’ Choice Award for her performance.
Set against a backdrop of an unsettling narrative, Pluribus explores themes of identity and individualism during a global crisis. An alien virus has emerged, absorbing nearly everyone into a collective consciousness known as the hivemind. Only 13 individuals remain immune, thrust into a new reality that forces them to confront their past selves. Among them, Carol experiences profound loss when her wife, Helen, portrayed by Miriam Shor, disappears during the “turning event.”
While many of the immune survivors adapt to their new existence, Carol resolutely resists this unwanted transformation. Instead of facing hostility, she finds the hivemind accommodating, as it assigns her a companion, Zosia, played by Karolina Wydra. Zosia is designed to cater to Carol’s needs, reflecting an idealized version of a character from Carol’s successful book series. This unsettling arrangement raises questions about the nature of love, companionship, and control in a world that has surrendered individuality for ease and comfort.
Balancing Comfort and Control
“The entire world in Pluribus bends its knee to you, anticipates your desires, removes friction from your life entirely,”
a sentiment echoed by viewers grappling with the implications of the hivemind. The promise of eternal bliss, harmony, and the absence of suffering is seductive, yet it comes at a significant cost. Beneath the surface lies a chilling reality: the hivemind ultimately seeks to absorb these individuals, stripping them of their identities and autonomy.
The moral dilemma at the heart of Pluribus presents a stark contrast between the allure of collective existence and the beauty of human flaws. As characters weigh their options, they face impossible choices: Do they embrace a life of comfort within the hive, sacrificing their individuality, or do they strive to restore humanity in all its complexity, with all its inherent struggles? None of the choices presented is straightforward, adding depth to an already complex narrative.
While Vince Gilligan has stated that the series was not explicitly designed as a response to artificial intelligence, many viewers have drawn parallels between the hivemind and the growing influence of AI in contemporary society. The rise of technologies that perfect writing, speech, and even human likenesses raises pressing questions about the trade-offs involved.
Reflecting on Identity in the Age of AI
In an interview with Polygon, Gilligan acknowledged the connections viewers have made between the show and current events surrounding AI. He noted, “A lot of people are making that connection… If it’s about AI for a particular viewer, more power to anyone who sees some ripped-from-the-headlines type thing.”
The underlying concern is not merely about the technology itself but rather the subtle compromises that society may be asked to accept. As AI continues to streamline various aspects of life, one must consider the implications: does convenience come at the expense of identity?
“Pluribus isn’t warning us about aliens. It’s holding up a mirror and asking whether we’d recognize ourselves if the world worked perfectly,”
reflects the show’s deeper message. It confronts audiences with the unsettling possibility of a perfectly ordered life, devoid of suffering, dissent, or the essence of self.
As viewers continue to engage with Pluribus, the series serves as both a thrilling narrative and a thought-provoking commentary on the future of human existence in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. The show invites audiences to ponder the sacrifices of modern convenience and what it truly means to be human in an age where technology promises to fulfill every desire.
The series is currently available for streaming on Apple TV+, where it continues to generate discussions about the balance between technological advancement and the preservation of individuality.
