Pluribus is the most talked-about show of the moment, and one of its writers has been chiming in on an increasingly popular fan theory concerning addiction.
Pluribus re-teams Better Call Saul co-creator Vince Gilligan with one of that show’s stars Rhea Seehorn, who plays protagonist Carol Sturka.
But another Saul alumni – Gordon Smith – has also been carried over, serving as a writer, director, and executive producer on the Apple TV show.
And while viewers try to figure out what the hive mind that’s invaded the planet wants, he’s been commenting on the many fan theories that are out there. Meaning SPOILERS ahead.
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Pluribus writer says addiction theory “harmonizes very strongly”
Apple TV
The people behind Pluribus have been careful to maintain some mystery as to the hive mind’s intent, though the main schools of thought are that it’s either a metaphor for the AI revolution, or carrying a message about the state of current political discourse.
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“I’m not going to say that anybody’s reading of Pluribus is incorrect,” Smith tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Of course, because of the times that we live in, there’s things about AI that resonate with how the Others operate.
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“But there’s also an incredible amount of political division, and there’s a feeling that maybe things could be better if we were just all on the same page.”
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But a more recent fan theory concerns alcoholism, with moments in Episode 1 (the Range Rover breathalyser) and Episode 3 (that Xanex-vodka cocktail) suggesting Carol has a problem, with the hive mind is serving as some kind of intervention.
“I’ve heard people talk about it as a show about addiction,” says Smith. “And from my personal experience with addicts in my life, that harmonizes very strongly.
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“There’s that pain that is so individual within you that you have to drown it with something, and that’s Carol. So the Others offer a look at what peace looks like, but it is a peace that is fraught. So I can’t really say what it’s about to me other than it’s about Carol.”
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For more Pluribus, here’s why you shouldn’t expect a big twist this season. Alternatively head here for more great shows on Apple TV.
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