The Showrunner Shares He Has a Plan for How Pluribus Will End... At the Moment.
Vince Gilligan never anticipated that Pluribus would emerge as a massive hit. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he remarks. “It was unexpected the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
With the first season of the popular series coming to an end—and a second season greenlit and underway—the creative team recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will impact the storyline of Pluribus.
About the Incredible Viewer Reception
One could easily to get sidetracked by the constant speculation and audience predictions regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to ignore the noise.
“It's like being an endless supply of your favorite dessert and being tickled to death,” he says. “It's wonderful, but I get wind of it through word of mouth, and that's by design. Not once have I searched for my own name online, nor do I ever intend to. Not because I don't care. It's a bottomless pit I know I would get lost in and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from Home Depot and I'd never leave my living room.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The most practical strategy is to accept it graciously and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“We make no attempt 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 heads down and working,” Gilligan concludes.
The Big Question: Does Vince Gilligan Know the Finale of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff aren't taking cues by public opinion, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… with some caveats.
“We have some interesting ideas about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to throw out a good idea for a better idea. This approach has served us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Then again, if plans fall through, executive producer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.
“I constantly suggest that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Then again, one could always use the classics?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV+.
