The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Discloses He Knows How Pluribus Might Finish... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would turn into a cultural phenomenon. “The viewers have been incredible,” he remarks. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
As the debut season of the acclaimed program reaching its finale—and a second season greenlit and underway—Gilligan and his team reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will influence the future direction of Pluribus.
About the Tremendous Fan Response
Anyone might to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and fan theories regarding Pluribus. The creator is striving to avoid both.
“It's like being force fed your favorite dessert and being in a state of bliss,” he says. “It's wonderful, but I hear about it anecdotally, and that's intentional. Never in my life 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 pooping in a five gallon bucket from Home Depot and I'd never leave my living room.”
In spite of his concerted efforts, 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 make no attempt to tailor anything,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not influenced by what people are saying.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan concludes.
The Big Question: Will Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Given that the writers aren’t being guided by audience theories, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… in a way.
“We've developed some potential directions about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan reveals. “however, we remain prepared to throw out a decent plan for a better idea. This approach has served us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we conceive of something superior and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Alternatively, if they hit a wall, executive producer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.
“I constantly suggest that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and the characters are inside it,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Then again, why not reference the classics?
“My dream is Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” he jokes.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.
