Is Pluribus a Breaking Bad Spin-Off?

7 hours ago7 min read2 comments

Okay, let's clear this up right now because the internet is buzzing, and the theories are getting wilder than a plot twist in a season finale. Is Vince Gilligan's new Apple TV show 'Pluribus' a 'Breaking Bad' spin-off? The short, direct answer is no, it is not.But in the gloriously interconnected world of prestige television, nothing is ever that simple, is it? The confusion is totally understandable and honestly, kind of delicious. Here's the tea: 'Pluribus' is a brand-new, original series from the mastermind who gave us the iconic saga of Walter White.It's not a direct sequel, prequel, or side story to 'Breaking Bad' or 'Better Call Saul'. However, the vibes are immaculate and intentionally familiar.First major connection: the setting. 'Pluribus' is planted firmly back in Albuquerque, New Mexico.For any fan, that dusty, sun-bleached landscape is more than just a backdrop; it's a character. It's the place where Heisenberg was born, where Jimmy McGill became Saul Goodman, and where so much cinematic history was baked into the desert heat.Just hearing 'Albuquerque' in relation to a Gilligan project sends a specific shiver of anticipation down your spine—it signals a return to a world we know is capable of harboring profound moral complexity and breathtaking tension. Then there's the casting, which is a masterstroke of fan service and narrative signaling.The phenomenal Rhea Seehorn, who delivered one of the greatest television performances of all time as the fiercely intelligent, patient, and tragically loyal Kim Wexler in 'Better Call Saul', is starring. While her character in 'Pluribus' is全新的 (brand new), seeing Seehorn back in a Gilligan production, potentially walking the same streets her previous character once did, creates an irresistible echo.It’s like when your favorite actor from one show pops up in another; your brain automatically tries to connect the dots, even if they’re in entirely different universes. This isn't an accident.Gilligan and his team are savvy storytellers. They understand the power of their own legacy.By setting the show in Albuquerque and bringing back a beloved actor from the 'Bad' universe, they are building a bridge of tone and expectation. They are telling us, the audience, 'If you loved the intricate character studies, the slow-burn suspense, and the moral gray areas of our previous work, you will feel right at home here.' It’s a spiritual successor, a thematic cousin, rather than a direct relative. Think of it less as 'Breaking Bad 3.0' and more as a new album from your favorite band—it has their signature sound, their lyrical themes, but it's a fresh collection of stories with new characters to fall in love with and new dilemmas to unpack. So, while you won't see a cameo from a weathered Mike Ehrmantraut giving advice or hear a reference to Los Pollos Hermanos, the DNA is unmistakably Gilligan.'Pluribus' exists in the shadow of a giant, but it's stepping out to cast its own, and with Rhea Seehorn leading the charge, it's poised to be the next must-watch obsession for anyone who appreciates television as an art form. Now, can someone please start a countdown to the premiere? The fandom is ready.

#featured

#Pluribus

#Breaking Bad

#spin-off

#Vince Gilligan

#Rhea Seehorn

#Apple TV

#Better Call Saul

#Albuquerque

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