The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Shares He Has an Idea of How His Sci-Fi Series Will Conclude... For Now.
The creative mastermind never anticipated that Pluribus would turn into a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
As the debut season of the acclaimed sci-fi show wrapping up—and the next chapter officially in the works—Gilligan and his team recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will influence the storyline of Pluribus.
On the Overwhelming Fan Response
One could easily to get distracted by the rampant praise and fan theories regarding Pluribus. He is making a conscious effort to avoid both.
“It's like being constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being tickled to death,” he says. “It's wonderful, but I hear about it through word of mouth, and that's by design. Not once have I looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever intend to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a deep trap I know I would disappear down and then I'd be living in squalor from Home Depot and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
In spite of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no way to avoid the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The most practical strategy is to accept it graciously and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“It is not our goal to adjust our writing,” says Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by online forums.”
“We prefer to keep our noses to the grindstone,” he chimes in.
The Central Mystery: Will the showrunner Know the Ending of Pluribus?
Given that Gilligan and his team aren't taking cues by audience theories, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… with some caveats.
“There are some potential directions about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan reveals. “but we are always ready to throw out a solid concept for a better idea. That has held 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 suspect we'll be doing that.”
Alternatively, if plans fall through, 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 the characters are inside it,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, one could always use the iconic TV endings?
“I want Carol to awaken next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV+.
