Anonymous
11/15/2025 11:41
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
Anonymous wrote:SPOILERS FOR EP2:
NP, and one of the people who loooooves this show! I watched half of ep2 a few days ago and had to stop, then restarted it last night so my husband could catch up. I paid maybe 90% attention on the first watch and even so, raising that to 100% on the second watch gave so many payoffs. There were so many fantastic small details I missed the first time! Everything is so well planned, beautifully shot, and well acted.
Anyway, anyone up for discussing the central question of episode 2? Like Carol, I’ve seen all the movies and was on her side about treating this as a calamity that must be solved. But it blew my mind that not all survivors are on her side. (Were ANY? I want to say no? The guy from Madagascar only stayed because he wanted to talk to her about Zosia, right?) And I can see the argument in favor of why the new system is better. At the same time, I hate the idea of it.
At the SAME time, I notice how much of it resembles (how I interpret) my religion’s description of heaven — a sort of melding of souls in an environment where the only surviving motivations are love and care. I’m theoretically onboard with that as a possible afterlife. And yet, when shown as a possibility for earthly life it creeps me out.
My husband isn’t into philosophical debates like this and I’m dying to discuss! Anyone else have thoughts on episode 2?
Have you watched The Good Place? You would like it. Same sort of philosophical questions.
Anonymous
11/15/2025 11:36
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
I think the reason the other survivors don't see the situation the way Carol does is that they all have family members in the Collective. And they all asked their loved ones to describe what it was like to be in the Collective, and their family members told them it was wonderful and that they couldn't wait for them to be united.
I think it's a little unrealistic that none of them were as horrified as Carol, but I completely buy that some survivors, maybe even the majority, would be interested in joining the Collective. Most people are followers. Most people want to be told what to do and assured that if they do it, they will be fine. And especially if the person telling you this was a trusted loved one? I buy that a majority of the survivors would be like "maybe this is for the best." And then you'd have one or two people like Carol, and then at least one person like the Mr. Diabate who just sees it as an opportunity to live out fantasies. Actually, realistically, there would be more people like Mr. Diabate.
I think it's a little unrealistic that none of them were as horrified as Carol, but I completely buy that some survivors, maybe even the majority, would be interested in joining the Collective. Most people are followers. Most people want to be told what to do and assured that if they do it, they will be fine. And especially if the person telling you this was a trusted loved one? I buy that a majority of the survivors would be like "maybe this is for the best." And then you'd have one or two people like Carol, and then at least one person like the Mr. Diabate who just sees it as an opportunity to live out fantasies. Actually, realistically, there would be more people like Mr. Diabate.
Anonymous
11/15/2025 11:13
Subject: Re:Pluribus on Apple TV
From the trailers, it seems like this guy from Paraguay is going to be very similar to her once introduced. I definitely feel like this is an alien flick, sending the dna recipe in advance to make their takeover non-violent.
Agree with the AI commentary and societal influence.
Agree with the AI commentary and societal influence.
Anonymous
11/15/2025 08:09
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
Also all the emphasis on efficiency. It would be more efficient to turn the lights off, to centralize the food. That kind of creeped me out.
Anonymous
11/15/2025 08:08
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
Agree with the poster above. Also it raises some interesting questions about intellectual property. Remember, Carol is a writer and likely feels somewhat strong about owning her ideas, her characters etc It was so freaky to think that in this world everyone sort of owns everyone else’s ideas and memories and it does seem like we are moving towards this in the ChatGPT era.
Anonymous
11/15/2025 00:12
Subject: Re:Pluribus on Apple TV
The infected people kinda function like ChatGPT, anyone else think so?
Like the super-intelligence is here to serve you and make you HAPPY and there’s no question it won’t answer! I wonder if the shows means to critique the ever-spreading service-on-demand of our modern world that requires no real human interaction?
Like the super-intelligence is here to serve you and make you HAPPY and there’s no question it won’t answer! I wonder if the shows means to critique the ever-spreading service-on-demand of our modern world that requires no real human interaction?
Anonymous
11/14/2025 23:20
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
My husband is totally freaked out by all the people thinking and acting as one, even though they're doing good things and helping one another. I'm torn - I can see how it would be nice to live in such a well-run, happy, tolerant, conflict-free world. Especially if you're like Carol and are still a free-thinker but can also ask for and receive anything you want. Sounds great!
But is it? How lonely that would be after a while, with everyone there at your beck and call but no actual individual personalities to connect with as confidantes. I don't know. It's an interesting conundrum and I wonder how it will all resolve!
But is it? How lonely that would be after a while, with everyone there at your beck and call but no actual individual personalities to connect with as confidantes. I don't know. It's an interesting conundrum and I wonder how it will all resolve!
Anonymous
11/14/2025 16:01
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
SPOILERS FOR EP2:
NP, and one of the people who loooooves this show! I watched half of ep2 a few days ago and had to stop, then restarted it last night so my husband could catch up. I paid maybe 90% attention on the first watch and even so, raising that to 100% on the second watch gave so many payoffs. There were so many fantastic small details I missed the first time! Everything is so well planned, beautifully shot, and well acted.
Anyway, anyone up for discussing the central question of episode 2? Like Carol, I’ve seen all the movies and was on her side about treating this as a calamity that must be solved. But it blew my mind that not all survivors are on her side. (Were ANY? I want to say no? The guy from Madagascar only stayed because he wanted to talk to her about Zosia, right?) And I can see the argument in favor of why the new system is better. At the same time, I hate the idea of it.
At the SAME time, I notice how much of it resembles (how I interpret) my religion’s description of heaven — a sort of melding of souls in an environment where the only surviving motivations are love and care. I’m theoretically onboard with that as a possible afterlife. And yet, when shown as a possibility for earthly life it creeps me out.
My husband isn’t into philosophical debates like this and I’m dying to discuss! Anyone else have thoughts on episode 2?
NP, and one of the people who loooooves this show! I watched half of ep2 a few days ago and had to stop, then restarted it last night so my husband could catch up. I paid maybe 90% attention on the first watch and even so, raising that to 100% on the second watch gave so many payoffs. There were so many fantastic small details I missed the first time! Everything is so well planned, beautifully shot, and well acted.
Anyway, anyone up for discussing the central question of episode 2? Like Carol, I’ve seen all the movies and was on her side about treating this as a calamity that must be solved. But it blew my mind that not all survivors are on her side. (Were ANY? I want to say no? The guy from Madagascar only stayed because he wanted to talk to her about Zosia, right?) And I can see the argument in favor of why the new system is better. At the same time, I hate the idea of it.
At the SAME time, I notice how much of it resembles (how I interpret) my religion’s description of heaven — a sort of melding of souls in an environment where the only surviving motivations are love and care. I’m theoretically onboard with that as a possible afterlife. And yet, when shown as a possibility for earthly life it creeps me out.
My husband isn’t into philosophical debates like this and I’m dying to discuss! Anyone else have thoughts on episode 2?
Anonymous
11/14/2025 00:06
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Awesome sci-fi series from the creator of Breaking Bad. First two episodes are out.
The way our real world is so divisive and angry right now, it’s super interesting to ponder a world where everyone gets along.
I found this show very depressing. Also a lot of holes in its logic. Like just as a silly example if Carol wanted to find a cure that badly, she could ask some of the hive minders to start teaching her college level microbiology and train her as a scientist. They can't anger her by saying no. Might take a few years, but that would be a start. They can teach her literally any skill she wants to master.
Or, she could just ask them to find the cure themselves. They all know how to do everything and will apparently do anything they're asked.
They have a biological imperative to spread (they said that) so that would override their desire to be otherwise helpful to Carol. They won’t tell her how to destroy them.
Just finished the most recent episode. I think Carol is asking herself the same question. If they’re willing to give her absolutely anything she asks for (to include an atomic bomb), then they’d have to find a way to fix all of this, if she asks them to.
Anonymous
11/12/2025 23:12
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Awesome sci-fi series from the creator of Breaking Bad. First two episodes are out.
The way our real world is so divisive and angry right now, it’s super interesting to ponder a world where everyone gets along.
I found this show very depressing. Also a lot of holes in its logic. Like just as a silly example if Carol wanted to find a cure that badly, she could ask some of the hive minders to start teaching her college level microbiology and train her as a scientist. They can't anger her by saying no. Might take a few years, but that would be a start. They can teach her literally any skill she wants to master.
Or, she could just ask them to find the cure themselves. They all know how to do everything and will apparently do anything they're asked.
They have a biological imperative to spread (they said that) so that would override their desire to be otherwise helpful to Carol. They won’t tell her how to destroy them.
Anonymous
11/12/2025 21:49
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Awesome sci-fi series from the creator of Breaking Bad. First two episodes are out.
The way our real world is so divisive and angry right now, it’s super interesting to ponder a world where everyone gets along.
I found this show very depressing. Also a lot of holes in its logic. Like just as a silly example if Carol wanted to find a cure that badly, she could ask some of the hive minders to start teaching her college level microbiology and train her as a scientist. They can't anger her by saying no. Might take a few years, but that would be a start. They can teach her literally any skill she wants to master.
Or, she could just ask them to find the cure themselves. They all know how to do everything and will apparently do anything they're asked.
Anonymous
11/11/2025 19:17
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Awesome sci-fi series from the creator of Breaking Bad. First two episodes are out.
The way our real world is so divisive and angry right now, it’s super interesting to ponder a world where everyone gets along.
I found this show very depressing. Also a lot of holes in its logic. Like just as a silly example if Carol wanted to find a cure that badly, she could ask some of the hive minders to start teaching her college level microbiology and train her as a scientist. They can't anger her by saying no. Might take a few years, but that would be a start. They can teach her literally any skill she wants to master.
I’m sorry humanity but if our survival depends on me ever learning microbiology, even from the best teachers in the world, we’re done for. :lol:
Anonymous
11/11/2025 18:14
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
Anonymous wrote:Awesome sci-fi series from the creator of Breaking Bad. First two episodes are out.
The way our real world is so divisive and angry right now, it’s super interesting to ponder a world where everyone gets along.
I found this show very depressing. Also a lot of holes in its logic. Like just as a silly example if Carol wanted to find a cure that badly, she could ask some of the hive minders to start teaching her college level microbiology and train her as a scientist. They can't anger her by saying no. Might take a few years, but that would be a start. They can teach her literally any skill she wants to master.
Anonymous
11/11/2025 11:59
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
Anonymous wrote:I found this show very uneven. I laughed so hard at certain scenes, was riveted by other scenes (the one PP described, following pirate lady from northern Africa to NM), but then other scenes were too long and drawn out and fell flat. The scenes with the playboy who also isn’t infected but has all those women attending to him got silly real fast.
This is so trivial, but why - on an empty plane - does Carol not take a first class seat?? So bizarre that she chooses to sit all the way back in coach, next to the bathroom.
It demonstrates her distrust of them, understanding that she needs them but still wanting to maintain distance. Kind of like a stray dog.
Anonymous
11/11/2025 11:49
Subject: Pluribus on Apple TV
I found this show very uneven. I laughed so hard at certain scenes, was riveted by other scenes (the one PP described, following pirate lady from northern Africa to NM), but then other scenes were too long and drawn out and fell flat. The scenes with the playboy who also isn’t infected but has all those women attending to him got silly real fast.
This is so trivial, but why - on an empty plane - does Carol not take a first class seat?? So bizarre that she chooses to sit all the way back in coach, next to the bathroom.
This is so trivial, but why - on an empty plane - does Carol not take a first class seat?? So bizarre that she chooses to sit all the way back in coach, next to the bathroom.