The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Shares He Knows How Pluribus Might Finish... Currently.
Vince Gilligan did not foresee that the Apple TV+ show would turn into a massive hit. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he remarks. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”
As the debut season of the popular sci-fi show reaching its finale—and a second season greenlit and underway—the creative team opened up about the audience reaction and whether it will influence the future direction of Pluribus.
About the Overwhelming Fan Response
Anyone might to get swayed by the constant speculation and online debates regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to steer clear of all that.
“It's like being force fed something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he describes. “It's amazing, but I get wind of it anecdotally, and that's intentional. Never in my life Googled myself, nor do I ever plan to. It's quite the opposite. It's a bottomless pit 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.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the immensely favorable response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We don't try to adjust our writing,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not influenced by online forums.”
“It's wiser to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan concludes.
A Pressing Query: Has the showrunner See the Conclusion of Pluribus?
So if Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by public opinion, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… sort of.
“We've developed some potential directions about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “yet we stand ready to abandon a decent plan for a more brilliant plan. This approach has served us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea 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 serve as a last resort.
“I constantly suggest that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and we're in there,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, one could always use the legendary finales?
“I'd love for Carol to awaken beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.
