The Showrunner Reveals He Has a Plan for How Pluribus Will Conclude... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that Pluribus would emerge as a cultural phenomenon. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “It was unexpected the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
As the debut season of the hit series reaching its finale—and a second season officially in the works—the creative team opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.
Regarding the Overwhelming Fan Response
It would be easy to get swayed by the widespread acclaim and fan theories surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.
“The experience is akin to constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I get wind of it from others, and that's intentional. Never in my life searched for my own name online, nor do I ever plan to. Not because I don't care. It's a deep trap I know I would get lost in and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
Regardless of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no escaping the immensely favorable response to the series. The most practical strategy is to accept it graciously and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“We don't try to tailor anything,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by online forums.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan concludes.
The Big Question: Has Vince Gilligan Know the Ending of Pluribus?
Considering Gilligan and his team are not listening by public opinion, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… sort of.
“We've developed some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan reveals. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a good idea for a better idea. This approach has served us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we conceive of something superior and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
On the other hand, if plans fall through, executive producer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to fall back on.
“I constantly suggest that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and the characters are inside it,” Smith quips, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Of course, why not reference the classics?
“I want Carol to open her eyes beside Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.