The Showrunner Reveals He Has an Idea of How The Apple TV+ Show Might Finish... At the Moment.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would become a cultural phenomenon. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he states. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
With the first season of the hit series wrapping up—and Season 2 greenlit and underway—Gilligan and his team recently discussed the fan response and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Overwhelming Audience Reaction
It would be easy to get sidetracked by the constant speculation and fan theories about Pluribus. The creator is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.
“It feels like constantly eating your favorite dessert and being in a state of bliss,” he says. “It's amazing, but I learn of it from others, and that's intentional. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever want to. It's quite the opposite. It's a rabbit hole I know I would fall into and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
Despite trying to stay away, there’s no way to avoid the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The most practical strategy is to accept it graciously and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“We make no attempt to change the plot,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not influenced by online forums.”
“Better to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan adds.
The Central Mystery: Will Vince Gilligan Know the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Given that Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by public opinion, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will finally conclude? Essentially yes… with some caveats.
“There are some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to discard a solid concept for a superior concept. This approach has served us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we conceive of something superior and I imagine we will be doing that.”
On the other hand, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to fall back on.
“My recurring proposal is that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, why not reference the legendary finales?
“I'd love for Carol to awaken with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is currently available on the streaming service.
