Vince Gilligan Discloses He Has an Idea of How Pluribus Will Conclude... At the Moment.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that Pluribus would emerge as a breakout success. “The viewers have been incredible,” he remarks. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
Now that Season 1 of the popular sci-fi show reaching its finale—and a second season greenlit and underway—the writers' room opened up about the audience reaction and whether it will influence the future direction of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Fan Response
Anyone might to get sidetracked by the constant speculation and online debates regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to avoid both.
“The experience is akin to constantly eating something incredibly sweet and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I learn of it from others, and that's on purpose. Not once have I searched for my own name online, nor do I ever intend to. Not because I don't care. It's a rabbit hole I know I would disappear down 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 his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“We don't try to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by audience chatter.”
“We prefer to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.
The Big Question: Has the showrunner Know the Finale of Pluribus?
Considering Gilligan and his team aren't taking cues by fan response, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? The answer is yes… with some caveats.
“We have some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to discard a solid concept for a better idea. That has held us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we conceive of something superior and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Alternatively, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to fall back on.
“I constantly suggest 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 quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Then again, one could always use the legendary finales?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.
