The Showrunner Shares He Knows How The Apple TV+ Show Might Finish... At the Moment.
Vince Gilligan did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he remarks. “I was surprised by the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
Now that Season 1 of the acclaimed sci-fi show wrapping up—and the next chapter officially in the works—the creative team reflected on the audience reaction and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.
About the Tremendous Audience Reaction
One could easily to get sidetracked by the constant speculation and online debates surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to ignore the noise.
“The experience is akin to constantly eating something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I learn of it through word of mouth, and that's by design. I have never searched for my own name online, 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 never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
In spite of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to accept it graciously and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“It is not our goal to change the plot,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by online forums.”
“It's wiser to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan concludes.
A Pressing Query: Will Vince Gilligan See the Finale of Pluribus?
Given that Gilligan and his team aren't taking cues by audience theories, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… in a way.
“We have some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to discard a good idea for a superior concept. 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 imagine we will be doing that.”
On the other hand, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to fall back on.
“I constantly suggest that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and we're in there,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, why not reference the classics?
“My dream is Carol to wake up in bed with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
