The Showrunner Shares He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Will End... At the Moment.
The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would become a massive hit. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “It was unexpected 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 wrapping up—and the next chapter already in development—the creative team opened up about the fan response and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.
Regarding the Overwhelming Audience Reaction
One could easily to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and online debates regarding Pluribus. The creator is striving to ignore the noise.
“It feels like an endless supply of something incredibly sweet and being tickled to death,” he describes. “It's amazing, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's on purpose. Never in my life Googled myself, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. 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 never leave my living room.”
Despite trying to stay away, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to take it in stride and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“We make no attempt to change the plot,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not changed by online forums.”
“Better to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan concludes.
A Pressing Query: Will Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Ending of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff aren't taking cues by audience theories, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… in a way.
“We have some compelling concepts about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan reveals. “however, we remain prepared to throw out a solid concept for a more brilliant plan. 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 suspect we'll be doing that.”
Alternatively, if all else fails, director and writer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to fall back on.
“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and that's where they've been all along,” Smith jokes, “but no one is buying it.”
Of course, one could always use the iconic TV endings?
“I want Carol to open her eyes beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.
