The Showrunner Shares He Has an Idea of How Pluribus Will Conclude... At the Moment.
Vince Gilligan could not have predicted that the Apple TV+ show would become a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he states. “I was surprised by the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
Now that Season 1 of the acclaimed program coming to an end—and a second season greenlit and underway—the writers' room reflected on the audience reaction and whether it will influence the future direction of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Audience Reaction
It would be easy to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions about Pluribus. The creator is striving to avoid both.
“The experience is akin to constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he describes. “It's wonderful, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's by design. Never in my life searched for my own name online, nor do I ever want to. Not because I don't care. It's a deep trap I know I would fall into and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We make no attempt to adjust our writing,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not influenced by audience chatter.”
“We prefer to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan concludes.
A Pressing Query: Does Vince Gilligan See the Conclusion of Pluribus?
So if the creative staff aren't taking cues by public opinion, does it imply they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… with some caveats.
“We have some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to discard a good idea for a superior concept. This approach has served us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we conceive of something superior and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Alternatively, if all else fails, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.
“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,” Smith jokes, “but no one is buying it.”
Alternatively, why mess with the iconic TV endings?
“I'd love for Carol to awaken with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV+.
