Vince Gilligan returns to sci-fi with his intriguing new series Pluribus, but the title appears to provide a major clue about what to expect in the show. Vince Gilligan is the creator of Breaking Bad, a show which exploded in popularity and inspired multiple spin-off projects including Better Call Saul and El Camino.
However, one of his earliest and most successful creations was the mysterious sci-fi show, The X-Files. Now, it appears that Gilligan is returning to his sci-fi roots, and implementing the same playful naming scheme to subtly hint at what is contained within. But pluribus isn’t all that common a word, despite potentially sounding familiar.
Pluribus Comes From The Latin Phrase “E Pluribus Unum”
Pluribus is actually a Latin word, and it directly translates to mean “of many,” or “from many.” However, it’s commonly used alongside the phrase “E pluribus unum,” which means “out of many, one.” This phrase is actually a motto traditionally associated with the United States.
This refers to both the fact that the USA is composed of 50 States, which operate and work together to form a stronger whole, and also harks back to how the US was built up of many people from nations around the world, coming together and creating a new society and way of life in the New World.
E pluribus unum also contains 13 letters, which made it especially meaningful for the Thirteen Colonies that combined to rebel against Great Britain and gain independence. However, judging by the trailer, Pluribus will feature a distinctly different story.
What The “Pluribus” Title Means For Apple TV’s Sci-Fi Show
The title for Pluribus, as seen in the trailer, is stylized with the “i” in the middle of the word resembling a “1.” This seems to reinforce the idea that the show is referencing that larger sentiment, and not just the Latin word pluribus. This is further corroborated by the fact that several characters speak in unison.
Evidently, something strange is going on that has unified the minds of many people. The sci-fi nature of the series could hint at this being brought on by aliens or some other scientific breakthrough, but it’s also clear that this change hasn’t happened to everyone, as Rhea Seehorn’s character seems to be different.
Clearly, something is amiss in the world, and there is one woman who still has a chance to break the spell or reverse whatever change has taken place. But with everyone else moving as one body, things could prove difficult to repair in Pluribus.
