The Showrunner Reveals He Has a Plan for How The Apple TV+ Show Might Finish... For Now.
The creative mastermind could not have predicted that Pluribus would turn into a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
With the first season of the hit sci-fi show wrapping up—and a second season officially in the works—the writers' room recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Fan Response
Anyone might to get distracted by the constant speculation and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is striving to avoid both.
“It feels like an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he describes. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it from others, and that's by design. I have never Googled myself, nor do I ever intend to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a deep trap I know I would fall into and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
Regardless of trying to stay away, there’s it's impossible to ignore the immensely favorable response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to take it in stride and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“We don't try to adjust our writing,” says Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by audience chatter.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan concludes.
A Pressing Query: Will Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Finale of Pluribus?
Given that the creative staff are not listening by public opinion, can we assume they already know how Pluribus will finally conclude? The answer is yes… in a way.
“There are some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan reveals. “but we are always ready to discard a decent plan for a better idea. That philosophy has guided us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we find a more perfect path and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
Then again, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to use as a backup.
“I constantly suggest that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Then again, why not reference the classics?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.
