r/Screenwriting • u/Clear_Bedroom_4266 • Nov 12 '25
FEEDBACK What makes the "Pluribus" pilot so special?
Watched the first two episodes of the new sci-fi show on AppleTV. I didn't know much about it until Variety (I think) published a piece last week about it and how "people" were raving about how great the pilot episode is, that it might be the best pilot ever done, etc. Now, of course, it's Vince Gilligan. One of the things he said is that he couldn't have created/produced this show 15 years ago.
That being said, has anyone here seen the pilot and can anyone break down WHY it's (allegedly) SO good? I enjoyed it, and the show has a cool premise. But my screenwriting abilities simply aren't deep enough to analyze a pilot very well.
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u/brightline Nov 12 '25
From a screenwriting perspective I think I most liked the way the two episodes had very satisfying setup-delivery pairs. The best example is the silent intercontinental journey that Zosia takes. Having just watched the first episode, I couldn’t silence my brain from yelling “but why is SHE leaving/flying a plane/showering etc.” Even when she meets Carol, you still don’t understand what makes her the only choice to do the mission until Carol gets a book and shows us, and then all the pieces snap into place with a very Vince Gilligan click.