Jeff and Amy kick off a brand-new series on StereoScope Rewind with Apple TV+’s mind-bending show “Pluribus” (episode 1). Still in Stranger Things withdrawal, they dive into this hauntingly beautiful pilot about Carol, a woman who somehow doesn’t change when the rest of the world does—everyone suddenly moving, speaking, and smiling in eerie unison. They unpack the episode’s “what is happening?” energy, the stunning visuals, the unsettling but non-violent vibe that feels like a pleasant version of The Last of Us, and Carol’s complicated bond with Helen. Jeff and Amy also geek out over the show’s long silent stretches, the “happy disease” concept, the mysterious hive-mind “us,” and a fun surprise cameo connection to Young and the Restless star Peter Bergman. If you watched the pilot and are confused, fascinated, and craving theories, this episode is your perfect companion.
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00:00 – Cold open and welcome back to StereoScope Rewind
00:14 – Introducing Jeff and Amy, life updates and “plates spinning” chaos
00:31 – New show time: waiting for Stranger Things, turning to “Pluribus” on Apple TV+
01:15 – First reactions to the pilot: “What is happening?”
02:10 – Visual style and pacing: long silent stretches and gorgeous cinematography
02:39 – The base, the kiss, and the strange, wordless opening sequence
03:09 – The truck sequence: helping, not hurting – “fish are friends, not food” vibes
03:43 – Carol’s determination to save Helen and the hospital run
04:19 – What Carol doesn’t know: infection, cotton swabs, and missing context
04:40 – Carol’s flaws, her past, and the ignition breathalyzer
05:07 – Three types of people: alive, dead, and immune?
06:17 – Fun fact: Peter Bergman cameo and soap-opera connection
07:15 – Favorite line: “this particular individual was nearby and in a suit”
07:39 – What *is* “the us”? Not aliens, not a virus—no one knows
07:47 – The TV prompts: “We are not aliens. You are not in danger.”
08:33 – In-world phone number and Jeff calling it in real life
09:01 – “The happy disease?” headlines and the unsettling calm
09:17 – Favorite quotes segment: “What the F is happening?!”
10:29 – “Since when do you smoke?” – “Since now.”
10:50 – Mourning Helen and the lost buddy dynamic
11:14 – Making Carol extra miserable by taking away her joy
11:24 – Predictions: hive mind, global reach, and “we are one”
12:29 – Is there a central controller or just a network of minds?
12:46 – How Jeff and Amy watch: no binging, one episode at a time
13:32 – Admitting they truly have no idea what’s happening
13:43 – Outro: like, subscribe, “do all the things,” and on to episode two