Carol in a truck looking off screen
By
Cher Thompson
Published 32 minutes ago
Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recapVince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad, has had doubters coming for his newest 98% RT rated Apple TV series, but after a major swing in the most recent episode, he's proved them all wrong. Throughout the run of Gilligan's newest series, Pluribus, there have been some similar notes from long-time viewers and general critics of the creator's narrative style.
Gilligan's work on Breaking Bad has long been lauded as some of the best in television history, with the prestige series winning countless awards and bringing fans together long after its end in 2013. With Gilligan having moved on after Breaking Bad to Better Call Saul, his track record has been impeccable over the last two decades, but some still doubt his instincts.
As Pluribus has continued airing its first season, the series has already built a following of fans that have been enjoying the slow role of the series. In the same note, however, viewers have been struggling with the slow, methodical pacing of the series, which has largely been focused on building its world. Rather than trusting Gilligan, some have been lashing out just to be proven wrong.
Pluribus Episode 5 Beat The "Nothing Happens" Criticism
The Show's Breakthrough Moment Is Here
Rhea Seehorn in Pluribus
As Pluribus has moved through its first stretch of episodes, the show has been more focused on building out Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) and the world she's living in than throwing plots at the audience. Establishing Carol's world and her relationship with those who have joined the hive mind was more important to the story, especially because of the outlandish concept.
Pluribus' breakthrough moment during its most recent episode, however, finally snapped everything into motion in the way it's been set up to. While earlier episodes employed the traditional Gilligan pacing, Pluribus episode 5, "Got Milk," raised the stakes and ended on a massive cliffhanger as Carol seemingly finds something that terrifies her in a store's cold storage room, shock and horror left unresolved.
Pluribus Was Always Meant To Be A Slow-Burn
Gilligan's Style Has Never Been Fast-Paced
Although Gilligan's critics have been struggling with the pacing of Pluribus, watching the show unfold hasn't been unlike the strategy he used on Breaking Bad, which faced similar criticism in its early seasons. Throughout the first stretch of episodes, Pluribus has been building its world successfully while luring its audience into a vague sense of security, understanding the normalcy in the show's abnormality.
As Pluribus has followed the Gilligan blueprint, it was clear that something major was going to happen in the coming episodes that would propel the story into motion. With Carol making such a massive discovery after walking through the aftermath of her previous actions, it's clear that her investigation into the afflicted people on the series is going to take a swift turn moving forward.
What's Next For Pluribus After That Twist
The Reveal Of What Carol Saw Will Change Everything
Rhea Seehorn as Carol looking through medical supplies in a hospital in Pluribus episode 4
As Pluribus continues to move ahead, the series seems like it's going to kick things up a notch in terms of pacing. With Carol learning more about the secrets of her own world, the second half of the season is going to see a new sense of excitement. Positioning itself in a new space of momentum, Pluribus' critics are likely eating their words and eagerly awaiting what's next.
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8.8/10
8/10
Pluribus
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-MA Drama Thriller Sci-Fi Release Date November 6, 2025 Network Apple TV Directors Adam Bernstein, Zetna Fuentes, Melissa Bernstein Writers Ariel Levine
7 Images
Rhea Seehorn staring into the distance in Pluribus
Rhea Seehorn's Carol holding a doctor by their arms looking worried in an ER lobby in Pluribus
Rhea Seehorn's Carol looking seriously over her shoulder in Pluribus
Rhea Seehorn in PluribusApple
Rhea Seehorn in Pluribus©Apple TV+ / Courtesy Everett Collection
Rhea Seehorn's Carol looking distracted and Karolina Wydra's Zosia smiling at someone in Pluribus
Rhea Seehorn curled up on the couch in PluribusClose
Cast
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Rhea Seehorn
Carol Sturka
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Karolina Wydra
Zosia
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Pluribus
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