The Showrunner Reveals He Knows How The Apple TV+ Show Might Finish... Currently.
The creative mastermind did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would turn into a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “It was unexpected the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
Now that Season 1 of the acclaimed sci-fi show wrapping up—and a second season already in development—the creative team recently discussed the fan response and whether it will impact the storyline of Pluribus.
On the Overwhelming Fan Response
It would be easy to get swayed by the rampant praise and fan theories surrounding Pluribus. He is doing his best to ignore the noise.
“It's like being an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he says. “It's amazing, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's on purpose. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever intend to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a deep trap I know I would get lost in and then I'd be living in squalor from Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
In spite of his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We don't try to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not influenced by audience chatter.”
“Better to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.
A Pressing Query: Will Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Finale of Pluribus?
Considering Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by fan response, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will finally conclude? The answer is yes… sort of.
“There are some potential directions about the ultimate destination,” he states. “yet we stand ready to throw out a good idea for a more brilliant plan. This approach has served us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we conceive of something superior and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
Alternatively, if they hit a wall, executive producer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to fall back on.
“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and the characters are inside it,” Smith jokes, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, why not reference the iconic TV endings?
“I want Carol to wake up in bed beside Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.
