The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Shares He Knows How Pluribus Might Finish... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would turn into a massive hit. “God bless the fans,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
With the first season of the acclaimed series reaching its finale—and a second season already in development—the creative team reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Overwhelming Audience Reaction
Anyone might to get swayed by the constant speculation and online debates about Pluribus. He is striving to avoid both.
“It's like being force fed something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about 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 fall into and then I'd be living in squalor from Home Depot and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
Regardless of his concerted efforts, there’s no escaping the immensely favorable response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“We make no attempt to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not impacted by what people are saying.”
“It's wiser to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan concludes.
A Pressing Query: Will the showrunner See the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering the writers aren't taking cues by public opinion, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? The answer is yes… with some caveats.
“We've developed some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to throw out a good idea 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 scrap ideas when we conceive of something superior and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
On the other hand, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.
“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and the characters are inside it,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, why not reference the iconic TV endings?
“My dream is Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.
