Vince Gilligan Reveals He Has a Plan for How His Sci-Fi Series Might Finish... At the Moment.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would turn into a massive hit. “God bless the fans,” Gilligan says. “It was unexpected the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
Now that Season 1 of the hit series wrapping up—and Season 2 greenlit and underway—the creative team opened up about the fan response and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Viewer Reception
One could easily to get distracted by the rampant praise and audience predictions regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.
“It feels like an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he describes. “It's wonderful, but I hear about it from others, and that's on purpose. I have never Googled myself, 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 never leaving the house from Home Depot and I'd never leave my living room.”
Regardless of trying to stay away, there’s no escaping 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 alter the course of the show.
“We make no attempt to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not influenced by audience chatter.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan concludes.
The Big Question: Does the showrunner Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
So if the writers aren't taking cues by fan response, can we assume they already know how Pluribus will ultimately end? The answer is yes… in a way.
“We have some interesting ideas about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a solid concept for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we find a more perfect path and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
On the other hand, if all else fails, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.
“I keep pitching that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and we're in there,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Of course, why not reference the classics?
“I'd love for Carol to wake up in bed with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV+.
