This text comprises spoilers for “Pluribus” season 1, episode 1.
Vince Gilligan’s new Apple TV present “Pluribus” brings the world collectively, and Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn, “Higher Name Saul”) needs none of it. After an RNA-altering, virus-like “psychic glue” agent inevitably escapes laboratory containment and turns into a full-on pandemic that turns the entire world (besides Carol and a handful of others) right into a serene hive thoughts, Carol finds that she’s the one unaffected particular person within the metropolis of Albuquerque. As if this wasn’t sufficient, she learns this from a White Home consultant Davis Taffler (Peter Bergman, “The Younger and the Stressed”), who’s been ready for her to show the TV to C-SPAN and helpfully explains the character of the scenario.
In response to Taffler (and a surprisingly nifty graphic the hive thoughts had the time to whip up), the RNA-altering viral sign that offered the recipe for the hive thoughts “virus” is alien know-how and hails from the planet Kepler-22b. For the astronomy-minded viewer, the point out of this explicit planet is likely to be attention-grabbing, as a result of Gilligan did not choose the planet by throwing a dart on the map of the Milky Means.
Found by the Kepler Area Telescope and verified in 2011, Kepler-22b is the first-ever planet the telescope found that not solely revolves round a star that is comparatively just like our personal solar, however is positioned within the liveable zone and will doubtlessly help life. Scientist really feel that Kepler-22b may not fairly match the invoice for assorted causes, however because of the acute distance between the planet and ours (600 gentle years and alter), a lot of the planet is within the “educated guess” ballpark … and it is truthful to say that “Pluribus” is completely happy to run with the narrative potentialities this creates.
Pluribus is not the primary time Kepler-22b options on a significant sci-fi present
The “Pluribus” season 1 premiere is certainly not overplaying its hand in relation to Kepler-22b, as a result of even the hive thoughts would not actually know a lot past the truth that the extraterrestrial sign originates from there. Nonetheless, one other main sci-fi present has explored the planet in way more element. Creator Aaron Guzikowski and govt producer Ridley Scott’s “Raised By Wolves” makes Kepler-22b its major setting: a wierd new planet that the embryo/youngster colony overseen by androids Mom (Amanda Collin) and Father (Abubakar Salim) units out to stay on.
Other than “Pluribus” and “Raised by Wolves,” Kepler-22b is basically untouched by live-action science fiction, although it is additionally part of “Star Trek” canon because of a short identify drop within the “Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” season 1 episode “Spock Amok.” So, wherever the “Breaking Dangerous” creator’s unintended sci-fi venture plans to take issues with the planet, “Pluribus” may be protected within the information that it is treading on fairly pristine floor.
“Pluribus” is streaming on Apple TV.
