‘Pluribus’ Duo Vince Gilligan And Composer Dave Porter On Long-Running Collaboration & That Addictive Main Theme – Crew Call Podcast
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- Pluribus received 18 Emmy nominations, with composer Dave Porter securing three for Outstanding Music Composition, Sound Mixing, and Original Main Title Theme Music.
- Porter's 18-year collaboration with Vince Gilligan spans Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and Pluribus — his first Emmy recognition despite the run.
- The 20-second main title theme, performed by Kenya Hathaway in a two-part vocal structure that shifts between harmony and discord, was designed to mirror the show's core 'dichotomies.'
- Porter began his professional career as an assistant to three-time Oscar-nominated minimalist composer Philip Glass.
- Gilligan called the theme an 'ear wig' and credited Porter with always opening with the question 'How do you want the audience to feel?' before scoring.
- Porter and Gilligan deliberately leave the audience 'unsettled, but curious and hopefully humming a little too,' rather than resolving the show's central conflict.
- Pluribus follows a woman who is one of few untouched survivors in a world where an extraterrestrial virus has turned most of humanity into peaceful, hive-minded people.
Why it matters: After nearly two decades shaping the sound of prestige television across three Gilligan series, Porter finally lands Emmy recognition — and Pluribus's 18 total nominations make the Apple TV+ sci-fi drama an instant awards-season heavyweight.
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