While Apple TV had a late start in the idiotic streaming wars, at least something good came out of it, and with that, I mean Apple TV has managed to produce some of the most brilliant and popular TV shows of recent years, and also, the streaming wars were idiotic.
Great shows like Ted Lasso and The Morning Show were just the beginning, as there was so much more to come, including the two shows we will be discussing in this article. The Apple-owned streaming service has money to burn, and it’s clear on the screen: they have put their money exclusively into good shows, so you can’t say any of the Apple TV original shows are bad.
While the fledgling streaming service is still finding its footing in the film division, it has already figured out how to make shows beloved by both the masses and industry critics, and with hits like F1: The Movie this year, there is still hope for Apple TV original movies.
The Two Shows That Have Become the Talk of the Town
While almost all Apple TV shows have received favorable reception from both critics and audience members, two of them have become subjects of water-cooler talk at most offices: Severance and Pluribus.
Don’t get me wrong, Ted Lasso is very popular and great to watch, but the way these two shows have become a part of the conversation is very unique and familiar at the same time. This kind of craze around a series might be familiar to those of us who were there when Lost and Game of Thrones were on air, but streaming shows, especially Netflix shows, have failed to generate this kind of noise.
The reason behind most streaming shows not being a part of the conversation is very simple to deduce, and that reason is that no matter how popular they are, they are a very quick watch, and by the time people finish them and begin talking to somebody else, they have already moved on to other things.
From the beginning, Apple TV has released its shows weekly, and while its shows don’t have the 20+ episode count of network shows, they are still in the public eye for 6 to 13 weeks, depending on the episode count, which helps build audience anticipation.
What Makes ‘Severance’ & ‘Pluribus’ Special?
There is a lot that can be said when it comes to praising Severance and Pluribus, but at the end of the day, the truth can’t be simpler, and that is these two shows are simply great television.
Severance premiered its first season when we were all stuck at home, and with its unique premise, incredible character work, and engaging story, it captured the hearts and minds of millions. Severance is the kind of show that can keep people hooked just because of the questions it forces its audience to ask, and while that is fun on its own. Severance goes one step further, quickly providing fans with answers to their burning questions while introducing several more interesting ones.
Now, let’s talk about Pluribus, which, in my opinion, is one of the most existential shows of recent times. Created by the guy who made the best show of all time, Vince Gilligan. Pluribus could have been a generic alien-invasion series, but Gilligan’s unique storytelling and character work make it a meditation on free will and what humanity actually is.