The Showrunner Reveals He Knows How The Apple TV+ Show Will End... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that Pluribus would emerge as a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
Now that Season 1 of the hit program wrapping up—and the next chapter officially in the works—the creative team reflected on the fan response and whether it will shape the storyline of Pluribus.
On the Incredible Audience Reaction
One could easily to get swayed by the constant speculation and audience predictions regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is striving to avoid both.
“It feels like force fed something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's amazing, but I hear about it anecdotally, and that's on purpose. Never in my life searched for my own name online, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a rabbit hole I know I would disappear down and then I'd be never leaving the house from Home Depot and I'd never leave my living room.”
Regardless of his concerted efforts, there’s no escaping the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to take it in stride and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“We don't try to adjust our writing,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not influenced by audience chatter.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.
The Big Question: Will Vince Gilligan See the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff aren’t being guided by fan response, can we assume they already know how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? Essentially yes… in a way.
“We have some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a decent plan for a superior concept. That has held us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we get a better idea and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
Then again, if all else fails, executive producer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to fall back on.
“I constantly suggest that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and we're in there,” he says humorously, “but no one is buying it.”
Alternatively, why mess with the iconic TV endings?
“I'd love for Carol to wake up in bed with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.
