Film

Apple TV’s Clever 9-Part Sci-Fi Series Is One Of The Best On Any Streaming Service

19 March 2026

Vince Gilligan’s sci-fi TV show Pluribus is not only a standout in the genre, but in many ways, it has surpassed his earlier masterpiece, Breaking Bad. While the crime thriller was a cultural phenomenon, Gilligan’s new show is better than another Breaking Bad spinoff as it proves the director can achieve lasting success in another genre, while being just as clever.

Pluribus has a wildly talented cast, headed by Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul.) Seehorn plays Carol, a successful but miserable writer who becomes one of the few people on earth unaffected by a virus that unifies humanity into a blissfully happy hive mind. The series is a sci-fi staple in the making, and Pluribus has taken over the world as Apple TV’s top streaming show.

Pluribus Is One Of The Best Sci-Fi Shows On Any Streaming Platform

Manousos arrives outside of Carols house and stands next to his ambulance in Pluribus season 1 finale

Pluribus‘ success is an impressive feat, as many streaming platforms are home to some of the best sci-fi TV shows of all time. Hulu has the terrifying dystopian warning The Handmaid’s Tale and the classic 1990s sci-fi The X-Files, and Prime Video has the masterful The Expanse, while Netflix has Stranger Things, Dark, and the groundbreaking sci-fi anthology Love, Death + Robots.

That said, not all sci-fi TV shows last long enough to build an audience or end well, and Netflix has a reputation for canceling great sci-fi. On the other hand, Apple TV seems to be playing the long game while embracing experimental sci-fi concepts. Severance, Silo, and Foundation have been the platform’s flagship sci-fi TV shows, and they are all complex and occasionally mind-bending.

Pluribus shot to the top position, surpassing Prime Video’s existing sci-fi series and even outshining many of the best shows on other platforms, too. Pluribus has been called “an instant sci-fi classic,” and balances spectacle with substance. Individually, many of Pluribus‘ concepts have been explored, but Gilligan puts a clever twist on them as he questions what it really means to be happy.

The show explores deep questions about humanity while remaining accessible and highlighting small details that may resonate with viewers, like Carol’s determination to bury her wife without assistance. The worldbuilding is tightly written, and the performances make even the wordless scenes compelling. This is something that Seehorn excels at: being able to convey a complex internal struggle without speaking.

Pluribus Is Among The Smartest TV Shows In Recent Memory

Sci-fi TV shows often ask profound questions, but most recent ones have taken the form of anthology series, like Love, Death + Robots‘ excellent “Zima Blue.” Pluribus has two confirmed seasons, but could run for longer. In an age in which many shows cater to their viewers’ presumed short attention span and easy distractability, Pluribus does not.

The show is extremely refreshing for the way in which it presumes intelligence and competence on the part of its viewers. Pluribus does not shy away from ethical questions to which there are no neat and easy answers, and even the storyline is presented in a way that demands our attention. The storyline is not always linear, offering hints that encourage us to make connections.

“Pluribus” is a Latin word that means “many.” The show references the US motto, “E pluribus unum,” which translates as “out of many, one.” This refers to the diverse people who make up the United States, but references the hive mind in the TV show.

Vince Gilligan uses symbolism heavily in both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, and he continues this tradition in Pluribus. That said, as much of the plot is still a mystery, these symbols act as hints to be debated rather than merely noticed. As Pluribus is avoiding an annoying streaming trend, we may not have long to wait for the next part.

The series has many layers, and with the shocking reveal at the end of Pluribus‘ season 1, it is clear that it is one of the smartest shows in recent memory. Pluribus holds back key details until the perfect moment and refuses to underestimate its audience, making Pluribus a must-watch for viewers who want a show they can think about.