3 Minutes
Vince Gilligan answers the critics
Vince Gilligan, the creator behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has pushed back on criticisms that his latest series, Pluribus, moves too slowly. While those earlier shows earned near-universal praise for their narrative propulsion and tense plotlines, Pluribus purposely leans into a quieter, more measured rhythm — a choice that has divided viewers and critics alike.
Gilligan told The Ringer TV podcast that not every audience member who loved Breaking Bad will necessarily enjoy Pluribus, and that’s fine. He framed the series as an intimate exercise in character movement and atmosphere rather than a constant parade of plot twists. "If everyone liked the same thing, the world would be a very one-note place," he said, emphasizing that a show can be valuable even if it appeals to a narrower audience.
What people are reacting to
Many complaints aimed at Pluribus focus on its deliberate pacing and small cast. Several episodes prioritize mood and subtle character shifts over overt action, and some viewers have reported feeling as if little happens from one episode to the next. For fans expecting the taut immediacy of Gilligan's earlier work, those silences can feel like stretches.
But the slow-burn approach is also one of the show's strengths. By concentrating on fewer characters, Pluribus creates room for psychological nuance, quiet tension, and cinematic compositions that reward patience. In an era when many series chase instant streaming metrics, Pluribus opts for a more classic, contemplative tone.
How it compares to Gilligan’s past and current trends
Unlike Breaking Bad’s escalating stakes or Better Call Saul’s methodical unraveling toward fame and downfall, Pluribus is content to inhabit moments. That places it alongside other modern slow-burn dramas that prioritize character study — think The Americans or some seasons of Succession — but its sensibility remains distinctly Gilligan: morally shaded characters and carefully composed scenes.
There’s also an industry angle. Pluribus streams on Apple TV+, and Gilligan hinted that decisions about what makes a series "valuable" inevitably involve platform metrics and corporate strategy. Yet Apple has already greenlit season two, signaling confidence in the creative direction despite mixed reviews.
Fans and critics will debate whether Pluribus’s pacing is patience-testing or patiently rewarding. If you go in expecting an immediate adrenaline rush, you may be disappointed; if you welcome close character study and slow build, the series can be deeply satisfying.
Pluribus may not be for everyone — and that’s precisely part of its point. Season two confirmation suggests Gilligan will continue to explore the show’s quiet architecture rather than accelerate just to placate viewers.
A short note: the series rewards viewers who allow space for ambiguity and texture rather than fast answers.
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