Vince Gilligan Reveals He Knows How Pluribus Might Finish... For Now.
The creative mastermind could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would turn into a massive hit. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “I was surprised by the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”
With the first season of the popular sci-fi show coming to an end—and a second season officially in the works—the writers' room recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will influence the storyline of Pluribus.
Regarding the Tremendous Fan Response
One could easily to get swayed by the rampant praise and fan theories regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to avoid both.
“It's like being an endless supply of your favorite dessert and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's amazing, but I get wind of it anecdotally, and that's by design. I have never looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever plan to. It's quite the opposite. It's a deep trap I know I would fall into 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 extremely enthusiastic 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 don't try to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not influenced by audience chatter.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.
The Central Mystery: Does the showrunner See the Ending of Pluribus?
Considering the writers aren't taking cues by audience theories, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… with some caveats.
“We've developed some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” he states. “yet we stand ready to throw out a solid concept for a better idea. This approach has served us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we find a more perfect path and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Then again, if all else fails, Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.
“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and the characters are inside it,” Smith jokes, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Alternatively, why mess with the classics?
“I want Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV+.
