Culture Gabfest The Creator of Breaking Bad is Back—with Polite Zombies Edition
11 snips
Nov 12, 2025 Dive into the surreal world of Vince Gilligan's intriguing new series, where a woman battles societal bliss in a world of mind-controlling joy. Unpack Joachim Trier's touching family drama, blending humor and nostalgia, featuring standout performances. The discussion also tackles the alarming stats on female directors since #MeToo, revealing industry gatekeeping and the broader implications for creativity. Plus, fun endorsements and a bonus dive into the culture of parties make for an engaging listen!
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Pluribus Reframes The Invasion Trope
- Vince Gilligan's Pluribus reframes a familiar invasion trope into a contemplative moral puzzle about individuality versus enforced harmony.
- The series centers on a singular cantankerous protagonist whose resistance yields complex questions about whether to restore 'fallen' humanity.
Tone Shift Turns Threat Into Puzzle
- The show shifts tone after a harrowing opening into a more provocative, ambiguous meditation rather than a single-issue allegory.
- Julia Turner finds the ambiguity productive, asking whether it targets politics, COVID, AI, or the environment.
One Performer Holds The World
- Pluribus is essentially a one-woman show relying on Ray Sehorn's ability to sustain interest in a solitary, contradictory character.
- Dana Stevens notes that Sehorn's performance keeps the series watchable despite its claustrophobic energy.
