Apple TV’s Excellent 9-Part Sci-Fi Is The X-Files’ Best Spiritual Successor

When considering the greatest sci-fi TV shows of all time, The X-Files has a well-deserved place on the list. The show was groundbreaking, blending a typical police procedural set-up with some of the wildest supernatural and sci-fi plotlines to ever exist in a single episode. Mulder and Scully became instant sci-fi icons, so news of the X-Files reboot was met with mixed reactions from fans.

While the sci-fi genre has moved on since the 1990s, bringing viewers other TV shows like The X-Files, few have captured one of the series’ greatest strengths. The earlier seasons effortlessly distilled a single complex concept into an episode, while maintaining the character dynamic and keeping the consistently ominous idea that the truth was out there. Now, Pluribus is coming close.

Pluribus Feels Like An Episode Of The X-Files The Lasts An Entire Season

Vince Gilligan’s nine-part sci-fi series Pluribus follows the cynical and sarcastic writer Carol, who finds that she is immune from a hive mind virus that has taken over the world, making everyone blissfully happy. One of a small group of survivors, Carol instinctively mistrusts the hive mind, who start going to great lengths to please her, with mixed results.

Pluribus quickly took over the world as Apple TV’s number 1 show, and it is easy to see why. The acting is excellent, with Rhea Seehorn (Carol) at her best since Better Call Saul, and while the show brings a unique idea to sci-fi, it also evokes some surprising X-Files nostalgia, as the entire first season of Pluribus feels like an episode of The X-Files.

Both Pluribus and The X-Files prioritize their characters over their plot, and while this may sound like a criticism, it is not in this case. Both shows hold their central mystery just out of reach, keeping their uneasy tone by hiding details and the motivations of key characters. This strategy allows viewers to get invested in their characters’ journeys, rather than just admiring the clever plot twists.

The fact that the shows are similar is understandable, as Vince Gilligan worked as a writer and producer on The X-Files, even working on the X-Files episode that helped make Breaking Bad. Gilligan’s shows are known for being shocking, tightly written, and emotionally hard-hitting, and Pluribus marks his welcome return to the sci-fi genre after so many crime thrillers.

Pluribus Vs. The X-Files Could Become The 2020s’ Best Sci-Fi Showdown

While Pluribus and The X-Files have a lot in common, they may continue to draw comparisons if the story plans for Pluribus season 2 resemble the way The X-Files story panned out, with its central characters being drawn further into the conspiracy. This could result in the two shows becoming the biggest sci-fi projects of the 2020s.

The two shows might be similar, but they are different in a significant way that cannot help but be compared. Mulder and Scully are one of the best detective duos of all time, and their dynamic was mesmerizing, while Carol has been criticized for being unlikable. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it makes her harder to root for than Mulder and Scully.

The X-Files reboot could embrace nostalgia, but too much fan service risks putting off potential new viewers, while Pluribus is at an advantage, as it is an original story. This makes it even more important that it is allowed to continue long enough to compete with The X-Files. Apple TV is better at giving new shows a chance than other platforms, so the signs look promising.

In terms of critic and fan response, The X-Files and Pluribus are more closely matched than they appear. The X-Files had consistently high Rotten Tomatoes scores until the 9th season, which critics gave just 22%, lowering the show’s overall ratings. If Pluribus continues its strong start and the X-Files reboot captures the original magic, the two shows could top the sci-fi streaming charts.