Google Earth Spoils Pluribus TV Show Months Before Release
A post-apocalyptic TV series called Pluribus has become an Apple TV sensation since its release last year. The show's creators, including director Vince Gilligan and writer-director Gordon Smith, had a clever way of setting up a key plot point using a secluded cul-de-sac where the main character Carol lived.
However, fans who used Google Earth to get a glimpse of the production accidentally discovered a major detail months before it was revealed in the show. In August 2024, someone shared an image from Google Earth that showed the words 'Come Back' written on the pavement outside Carol's house.
The prediction came true in Episode 7 of the series, titled 'The Gap,' where it was revealed that the Hive, also known as The Others, was keeping tabs on Carol from 40,000 feet overhead via an Air Force drone. This meant that if she wanted to send them a message, the setup could serve as a compelling creative method.
Gilligan and Smith responded to the unexpected reveal by urging fans not to ruin surprises for others, saying there should be a limit on spoilers. Despite the accidental spoiler, Pluribus has continued to attract a large following, with its last episode reaching 483 million viewing minutes in a single week according to Nielsen data.
Pluribus is set to return for a second season, with filming expected to commence next month and scripts for the first two episodes already complete. The streamer has not confirmed a release date yet but reports estimate it could arrive in the latter half of 2027 or the first half of 2028.