‘Pluribus’ Emmy Buzz Fuels AI Interpretation Debate
Apple’s critically acclaimed psychological drama, ‘Pluribus,’ is generating significant Emmy buzz, with a record-breaking eighteen nominations across various categories. The series, centered on an alien parasite merging humanity into a collective consciousness, has sparked a fascinating debate: is it truly a veiled commentary on artificial intelligence?
Rhea Seehorn Addresses AI Speculation
Star Rhea Seehorn, nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, weighed in during an interview with Deadline. When questioned about the show’s frequent interpretations as a metaphor for generative AI, Seehorn acknowledged the parallels.
“They know everything. They have all this conglomeration of all information and all wisdom in one place,” she stated, referencing the ‘Hive’ – the collective consciousness formed by the show’s characters. Specifically, the Hive’s desire to please independent individuals before absorbing them mirrors the behavior of sycophantic chatbots, a common point of comparison for viewers.
Gilligan’s Intentions and the Lack of Theme
However, Seehorn admitted she hadn’t consciously considered the AI angle while filming. “I knew that Vince doesn’t write in themes. He’s not trying to speak to a specific theme,” she explained. “I also knew that he’s been mulling over some of these questions about humanity, society, all of the plethora of questions that the show brings up for 10-plus years.”
During press junkets, Seehorn was surprised by the recurring question of whether ‘Pluribus’ was a commentary on AI. “I was surprised when we started doing the press junkets and people were bringing up, ‘Oh, this is a commentary on AI, right?’ And I get it now and I know I look like an idiot, but I get so focused on playing the character in the story that she’s in, that I try very hard not to think about how I want it to be interpreted or what is this theme that this is speaking to,” she said.
Beyond AI: A Metaphor for Isolation?
Other interpretations arose, including a connection to the COVID-19 pandemic and the feeling of isolation. One journalist suggested the series mirrored depression, describing the experience of feeling shut off and misunderstood. Seehorn resonated with this interpretation, stating, “[T]his idea that it feels like when you’re in that space that you’re down a well and everybody that keeps saying ‘cheer up’ might as well be speaking a foreign language to you. And I was like, ‘That’s incredible.’”
The interview concluded with Seehorn expressing her admiration for the cast and crew, many of whom she’s worked with since her role in Vince Gilligan’s ‘Better Call Saul.’ She also discussed the season one finale, where her character, Carol, obtained a literal atomic bomb, and her uncertainty about the future of the series and Carol’s actions regarding the weapon.