The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Shares He Has a Plan for How Pluribus Will Conclude... Currently.
The creative mastermind did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would turn into a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
With the first season of the hit series coming to an end—and Season 2 already in development—Gilligan and his team opened up about the fan response and whether it will shape the future direction of Pluribus.
On the Overwhelming Fan Response
Anyone might to get distracted by the rampant praise and fan theories about Pluribus. The creator is doing his best to ignore the noise.
“It's like being an endless supply of your favorite dessert and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I hear about it through word of mouth, and that's intentional. Not once have I looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever plan to. Not because I don't care. It's a rabbit hole I know I would fall into and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
Regardless of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The most practical strategy is to accept it graciously and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We make no attempt to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not changed by audience chatter.”
“We prefer to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan adds.
A Pressing Query: Has the creator Know the Finale of Pluribus?
Given that Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by audience theories, does it imply they have already decided how Pluribus will finally conclude? The answer is yes… with some caveats.
“We've developed some potential directions about where the show might end up,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a good idea for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea and I imagine we will be doing that.”
On the other hand, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to serve as a last resort.
“I keep pitching that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and we're in there,” Smith quips, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Of course, one could always use the iconic TV endings?
“I'd love for Carol to awaken with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
