The Showrunner Reveals He Has an Idea of How The Apple TV+ Show Will End... For Now.
The creative mastermind could not have predicted that Pluribus would emerge as a massive hit. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
As the debut season of the popular sci-fi show wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—Gilligan and his team recently discussed the audience reaction and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.
Regarding the Tremendous Viewer Reception
One could easily to get distracted by the rampant praise and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. The creator is doing his best to ignore the noise.
“It's like being constantly eating your favorite dessert and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's the greatest thing, but I get wind of it through word of mouth, and that's by design. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever want to. Not because I don't care. It's a rabbit hole I know I would get lost in and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
In spite of 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 acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“We don't try to change the plot,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by what people are saying.”
“It's wiser to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan adds.
A Pressing Query: Will Vince Gilligan Know the Finale of Pluribus?
So if the creative staff are not listening by audience theories, can we assume they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… with some caveats.
“We have some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” Gilligan reveals. “however, we remain prepared to discard a decent plan for a better idea. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we find a more perfect path and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
Then again, if plans fall through, Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to use as a backup.
“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and we're in there,” Smith jokes, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Of course, why mess with the iconic TV endings?
“My dream is Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.
