Vince Gilligan Reveals He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Will End... Currently.
The creative mastermind could not have predicted that Pluribus would turn into a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” he remarks. “I was surprised by the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
As the debut season of the acclaimed series wrapping up—and Season 2 greenlit and underway—the creative team reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.
Regarding the Incredible Fan Response
Anyone might to get swayed by the rampant praise and online debates surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is striving to steer clear of all that.
“It's like being constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it from others, and that's on purpose. I have never searched for my own name online, nor do I ever intend to. It's not a lack of interest. 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 never leave my living room.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the immensely favorable response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to take it in stride and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not changed by what people are saying.”
“It's wiser to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan concludes.
A Pressing Query: Has the showrunner Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
So if Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by public opinion, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? The answer is yes… sort of.
“We've developed some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” he states. “but we are always ready to discard a good idea for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided 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 imagine we will be doing that.”
Alternatively, if they hit a wall, executive producer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.
“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and we're in there,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, why mess with the legendary finales?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV+.
