The first thing that struck me was the colour yellow, as I watched the trailer. I was reading an article on “ArtInsolite” that confirmed my own understanding of the colour—confirmation bias is twisty. Still, at times, it also gives us a better sense of our critical minds. Yellow symbolises light, but it also possesses ambiguity. That is what the Pluribus trailer tried to showcase. You see a woman, Carol, always unhappy and bitter, trying to make it through.
The nine-episode drama has been shrouded in secrecy, heightening intrigue. The story zeroes in on “the most miserable person on Earth,” who finds herself with the unlikely mission of saving the world—from happiness.
In the trailer, Carol stubbornly resists every attempt to lift her spirits, even tossing an elaborate breakfast left at her door straight into the trash. At one point, she admits she wants to “reverse all this,” while a calm voice promises her, “Rest assured, Carol. We’ll figure out what makes you different.” –The ambiguity picks up here, because you do not fully recognise how the series shall take a turn by the trailer.
Starring Rhea Seehorn alongside Karolina Wydra and Carlos-Manuel Vesga, the series also features guest appearances from Miriam Shor and Samba Schutte. Gilligan describes the lead character, Carol, as a “damaged hero” — someone doing her best to do good, even when life leaves her a little grumpy and worn down.
We can expect Vince Gilligan’s trademark mix of sharp humour, deeply drawn characters, and inventive storytelling in Pluribus. The series is already forging plenty of whirr ahead of its November 7 premiere on Apple TV.
