Thread to discuss/recommend new tv/streaming-shows.
A few days ago Apple+ started the new series Pluribus. A show made by Vince Gilligan, the guy behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul and other stuff before. But what most people know of him is BB/BtcS. The female lead of BtcS, Rhea Seehorn is playing the main character here. The show was announced as sci-fi, dark comedy, psychological-thriller. Enough things to make me want to try it out.
At least for me it looks disappointing. Biggest problem. HUGE problem, and I do really not understand why anyone thought this was a good idea, is that it is set in Albuquerque. Not only is it filmed in a way that it reminds you of Gilligan's other shows, it also has the same setting AND a main actress. So every other scene takes me out of the immersion by drawing unintentional comparisons and seeing places that look much too familiar.
Second big problem is that this is the most softest type of sci-fi where only the general scenario to kick the story off has sci-fi elements, but then nothing else follows and it devolves into typical dramedy. I know there are only two episodes out yet, but I already know where this is going. And the scenario reminded me of an old short story by Bradbury, just done a little different, and of course worse.
Third problem is the tone. I don't know what they are trying to achieve here. You have outright slapstick comedy in the background of a scene, while in the foreground the life partner of the main character tragically dies. And it already hints at more tonal conflicts that should and do not work. I am guessing it is supposed to give our main actress a stage to show off her range by having to deal with these conflicting emotions. Which leads to the fourth problem: Rhea Seehorn. I loved her in BtcS. I have not seen her in anything else. She was excellent as Kim. But here she doesn't have anyone to play off, because she is basically talking to zombies. There is a scene at the end of the first episode where she is alone with the camera and very obviously improvising her act, trying to portray her character as close to losing her mind and breaking out in tears. It is just plain bad. I wonder how many takes they made that this was the best they got. Either they rushed the production, or Seehorn is just not as good outside of playing Kim.
I will give it another try when the next episodes drop. But I suspect I will cancel the show after those.