The Showrunner Shares He Has an Idea of How Pluribus Will End... For Now.
The acclaimed writer-producer never anticipated that the Apple TV+ show would become a cultural phenomenon. “God bless the fans,” Gilligan says. “It was unexpected the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
With the first season of the hit sci-fi show reaching its finale—and a second season greenlit and underway—the writers' room reflected on the audience reaction and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Incredible Audience Reaction
Anyone might to get distracted by the rampant praise and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to steer clear of all that.
“It feels like force fed something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I learn of it through word of mouth, and that's on purpose. Not once have I searched for my own name online, nor do I ever want to. Not because I don't care. It's a rabbit hole 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.”
Regardless of trying to stay away, there’s it's impossible to ignore the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We make no attempt to adjust our writing,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not changed by online forums.”
“We prefer to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan concludes.
The Central Mystery: Will Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Ending of Pluribus?
Considering the writers are not listening by fan response, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will finally conclude? In short yes… in a way.
“We've developed some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to throw out a solid concept for a superior concept. That has held us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Alternatively, if plans fall through, Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to use as a backup.
“I constantly suggest that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and the characters are inside it,” Smith jokes, “but no one is buying it.”
Of course, why not reference the classics?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV.
