Read this review to see if the Pluribus episode “We Is Us” is worth watching.
About Pluribus
- Season 1, Episode 1: “We Is Us”
- Directed by Vince Gilligan
- Written by Vince Gilligan
- Synopsis: “An astronomer’s discovery turns the planet upside down. Carol Sturka, a curmudgeonly novelist, is terrified by this strange new world.”
- Airdate: November 7, 2025
- Starring: Rhea Seehorn, Miriam Shor, Peter Bergman, Karan Soni, Allan McLeod, Jack Mikesell, Woody Fu, Blair Beeken, Eric Steinig, Bernadette Guckin, Monique Lott, Monae Lott, and Sam Quinn
If you want to avoid spoilers for this episode, skip to the overall section at the end.
Warning: Spoilers for Pluribus Season 1 Episode 1 “We Is Us”
Recap Pluribus (2025): S1E01 – “We Is Us”
The episode begins with a countdown of 439 days till a looming event. A couple of SETI scientists are picking up a strange radio signal repeating every 78 seconds, 600 light-years away. Initially indecipherable, they realize it’s not Mosese code but an RNA sequence. USAMRID begins testing it on rats. The situation escalates when a rat bites a scientist, leading to an outbreak that infects all personnel on the Airbase, raising concerns about the virus’s imminent and widespread transmission. The virus moves everyone on the base to begin infecting people, first by kissing and then sending out saliva-infected perti dishes.
Meanwhile, speculative historical romance author Carol Sturka (Seehorn) is on her book tour. Her manager and partner, Helen (Miriam Shore), tries to celebrate her success. But she’s miserable, even resentful of her fans. While their outside for a smoke, planes fly overhead, and she notices the ominous chemtrails. Suddenly, a truck crashes, and the driver is having a seizure. Her friend collapses to the ground in a pool of blood. As she races to the hospital with her in the truck bed, Carol realizes everyone is frozen in place. That includes everyone in the hospital.
But it’s too late. She realizes her manager has died with a smile on her face. As everyone wakes up, she is surrounded by zombie-like people with huge smiles. It’s like if The Walking Dead met the Care Bears. In a very not-creepy way, they say in unison, “We just wanna help, Carol.”
Carol races home and, as she’s trying to break into the house with a huge rock, two kids remind her of the spare key under a flower pot she left in April 2016. Bizarre and bone-chilling. What’s great about this is that there’s nothing inherently evil going on; it’s very unsettling. When the author tells them to leave her alone, everyone in the neighborhood gets in their cars to leave. They say in unison, “We’re very sorry for your loss.”.
She drags Helen’s body into the house. Now that she’s barricaded in her house with a golf club for protection, she sees multiple cars drive away, but a truck pulls up and takes someone away.
She turns on the television and says, “God bless America,” when she finds a channel with a man waiting for something. Even stranger, the chryon tells her by name to call the number when she’s ready, “no pressure.” Carol takes a long drink before calling.
In a peculiar conversation, the U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture Davis Taffler reveals to Carol that everyone except her and a few others is now linked through “extraterrestrial technology” that creates “psychic glue.” He knows her name and what happened to Helen. Taffler insists she’s safe but should stay inside during the transition to…something. He reveals that she’s not just talking to him, but everyone on Earth. They are all “one.” That is, except for 11 other people like her in the world. The episode culminates with Taffler ominously suggesting they will discover what makes Carol different, implying a push for her inclusion. Carol, unsettled, ends the call as the episode ends. The last thing we see is a timer counting up from one hour.
Overall: Watch Pluribus (2025): S1E01 – “We Is Us”
Pluribus Episode 1 opens with a striking mix of mystery and high-concept sci-fi, immediately immersing viewers in its complex world. Vince Gilligan delivers precise, tension-filled pacing, while he also writes a clever, intricate narrative that rewards close attention to detail. Rhea Seehorn leads the cast with subtle depth, supported by strong performances from the ensemble, each character feeling distinct and purposeful.
The visual design, atmospheric score, and cinematic framing amplify the suspense, making the premiere both engaging and stylish. Especially the terrifying scene when the outbreak hits. With twists that intrigue and performances that impress, Episode 1 proves Pluribus is a series worth following closely.
Watch the Pluribus episode “We Is Us” because it delivers on its promise of an authentic mystery-box narrative with complete assurance and a ton of flair. I’m giving this episode 4.5 out of 5 stars
Every episode of Pluribus is available to stream on Apple TV+. New episodes of Pluribus drop every Friday.
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