Overview of ‘Pluribus’ Episode 6 and ‘The Chair Company’ Season 1 Finale
Hosts Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald (The Ringer’s The Watch) discuss recent TV highlights, with deep dives into Pluribus (ep. 6) and the season finale of The Chair Company. The conversation mixes episode-level breakdowns, performance praise (especially for Ray Sehorn), thematic readings about dystopia vs. utopia, and broader industry/reporting notes (casting, new series orders, streaming bids).
Episode and podcast context
- Hosts: Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald, recorded while remote (UK/US).
- Tone: conversational TV criticism — episode mixes news headlines with show analysis and year-end list setup.
- Quick headlines covered: Le Carré expanded-universe casting (Matthew McFadden as George Smiley; Charlie Hunnam as Alec Leamas; Daniel Brühl; Graham Yost EP), Brian Koppelman/David Levien straight-to-series Vegas show (Netflix, Scorsese attached), DiCaprio on Heat 2, ongoing Warner Bros. Discovery sale rumors and Saudi/Universal interest.
Pluribus — Episode 6 (detailed takeaways)
- Overall verdict: Hosts are very positive — call recent episodes among the season’s best. They praise Vince Gilligan’s control of tempo, expectation, and small-but-powerful storytelling choices.
- The “fake cliffhanger” execution: Episode 5 ends with Carol finding a covered discovery; episode 6 immediately resolves it and subverts the expected horror-reveal by treating the discovery (human remains/body parts) with an alternate civic/ethical rationale rather than a single monstrous explanation. Andy calls it “one of the most perfect executions of a fake cliffhanger” he’s seen.
- Themes emphasized:
- Dystopia vs. utopia: “One person’s dystopia is another person’s utopia.” The show probes how people respond differently to shared crises and how communal narratives fragment.
- Fragmented collective response: The series highlights that even in catastrophe, people can have divergent moral reactions — it interrogates the myth of a single, heroic collective response.
- Anti–fan-theory / anti‑Reddit tilt: The show resists neat viral explanations and instead explores practical, human responses to extreme conditions.
- Character work and performances:
- Ray Sehorn (Carol): singled out for a “masterclass” in actorly detail — gestures, pacing, how small behaviors reveal backstory and interior life (drinking, waiting for voicemails, packing, etc.). Hosts credit Gilligan’s trust in Sehorn and his choice to center the show on her.
- John Diabate (played by John Cena): portrayed as more than a cartoon hedonist — he listens to and organizes people, making his position plausible rather than simply monstrous.
- Paraguay-sequence character: hosts note paralleling wounded, skeptical characters (locates him close to Carol on emotional spectrum).
- Aesthetics and production:
- Praised for economical, creative use of budget, production design, shooting locations (casino/Westgate sequences feel expansive and lived-in).
- Gilligan’s long experience gives the series an “elegant” feel: tight storytelling, bold choices, trust in actors.
- Final notes:
- The series continues to surprise and feel organic; hosts expect the Carol/Diabate paths to intersect.
- Comparisons: Pluribus is contrasted favorably with other prestige sci-fi dramas (e.g., Severance), with praise for its narrative economy and clear authorial vision.
The Chair Company — Season 1 finale (analysis)
- Tone and structure:
- The show is described as a risky, boundary-pushing comedy that blends absurdist humor with an underlying unease — hosts liken its spirit to Twin Peaks: The Return because of its commitment to oddness and horror-in-the-banal.
- Tim Robinson’s comedic voice and the show’s aesthetic commitment are seen as the project’s strongest assets.
- Comedy mechanics:
- The show stretches single sketches/“bits” over long arcs; hosts debate whether that scale works for all viewers but ultimately admire the commitment.
- Humor oscillation: long stretches that feel baffling often resolve into hilarious payoff; hosts defend this rhythm (the Will Ferrell “thrown into flames” analogy).
- Specific scenes and elements mentioned:
- Opening wedding scene with escalating absurdity (drunken songwriter, child shooting a man) — some listeners might find it “a bridge too far,” but hosts find the tonal commitment rewarding.
- Recurring characters and casting (Lou Diamond Phillips cameo noted)
- Telekinetic woman with boyfriend in a baby mask — emblematic of the show’s willingness to be weird and uncompromising.
- Verdict and prospects:
- Renewed early — hosts approve because the season leaves little resolution and thrives on the creators being allowed to grow the world.
- Question raised about season 2 trajectory (Will Ron have new obsessions? Will the show stay in the same milieu?).
- Hosts urge viewers who can tolerate strange, committed comedy to try it, saying the show can be “an aesthetic ride” rather than a traditional sitcom.
Other shows / industry items mentioned (brief)
- Le Carré streaming series (Legacy of Spies): promising cast & creative team; part of Le Carré expansion.
- New Vegas casino series: Brian Koppelman & David Levien sold a straight-to-series order to Netflix; Martin Scorsese attached.
- DiCaprio and Heat 2: DiCaprio confirmed participation but role (Neil McCauley vs. Chris Shiherlis) remains unclear.
- Warner Bros. Discovery sale: ongoing chatter about Saudi/Universal bids and potentially interesting antitrust/strategic outcomes (Universal reportedly wants the more valuable studio/HBO/streaming cake, not cable).
- Other shows briefly referenced: Severance (comparison), The Rehearsal, The Paper, Canal Boat Diaries, It’s a Sin, Great British Bake Off, Blue Lights, Mubi picks (Joe Wright’s Mussolini series), and Jamie Oliver holiday programming.
Notable quotes / insights
- “One person’s dystopia is another person’s utopia.” — encapsulates the show’s moral ambiguity.
- Episode 6 uses “a perfect fake cliffhanger” — subverting binge-era expectations and delivering payoff plus reflection.
- Ray Sehorn’s performance is framed as the emotional/behavioral linchpin — Gilligan “bet big” on her carrying the series.
Recommendations & takeaway actions
- If you care about modern prestige TV and character-driven speculative drama: prioritize Pluribus (episode 6 is a turning point).
- If you like bold, surreal comedy that takes risks: sample The Chair Company — give a consecutive block of episodes a try to enter its rhythm.
- Industry watchers: keep an eye on the Le Carré series and the Warner Bros. sale developments (Saudis vs. Universal bids could reshape studio strategy).
- Podcast listeners: hosts mention upcoming year-end lists; expect Pluribus and The Chair Company to feature in their picks.
Closing
Hosts close by teasing more year-end coverage and continuing industry chatter; the episode mixes close textual readings with industry-savvy headlines, and is aimed at listeners who follow TV both as viewers and as an entertainment-business beat.