The Showrunner Discloses He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Will End... For Now.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that the Apple TV+ show would emerge as a massive hit. “The viewers have been incredible,” he remarks. “I did not foresee the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”
As the debut season of the acclaimed sci-fi show reaching its finale—and Season 2 already in development—Gilligan and his team opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Fan Response
One could easily to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and fan theories regarding Pluribus. He is striving to ignore the noise.
“It feels like force fed your favorite dessert and being in a state of bliss,” he says. “It's wonderful, but I learn of it through word of mouth, and that's intentional. Not once have I looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever want to. It's quite the opposite. It's a deep trap I know I would disappear down and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
In spite of his concerted efforts, there’s no escaping the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The most practical strategy is to accept it graciously and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not impacted by audience chatter.”
“We prefer to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan concludes.
The Central Mystery: Will Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
So if the creative staff aren’t being guided by audience theories, does it imply they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… in a way.
“We've developed some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” Gilligan reveals. “but we are always ready to abandon a good idea for a superior concept. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we get a better idea and I imagine we will be doing that.”
Then again, if they hit a wall, Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to serve as a last resort.
“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and that's where they've been all along,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, why not reference the legendary finales?
“I want Carol to awaken with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV+.
