The Showrunner Discloses He Knows How Pluribus Will Conclude... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer never anticipated that the Apple TV+ show would turn into 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 popular program wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—the creative team opened up about the fan response and whether it will shape the future direction of Pluribus.
Regarding the Tremendous Fan Response
Anyone might to get sidetracked by the rampant praise and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. The creator is doing his best to avoid both.
“The experience is akin to an endless supply of something incredibly sweet and being tickled to death,” he describes. “It's wonderful, but I hear about it through word of mouth, and that's on purpose. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever plan to. It's quite the opposite. It's a rabbit hole I know I would disappear down and then I'd be living in squalor from Home Depot and I'd never leave my living room.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s no escaping the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The most practical strategy is to take it in stride and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by online forums.”
“Better to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan adds.
The Big Question: Has Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Ending of Pluribus?
Considering the writers aren’t being guided by audience theories, can we assume they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… with some caveats.
“We have some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “yet we stand ready to abandon a decent plan for a superior concept. This approach has served us in good stead 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 all else fails, executive producer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to serve as a last resort.
“I keep pitching that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and that's where they've been all along,” Smith jokes, “but no one is buying it.”
Alternatively, why not reference the classics?
“I want Carol to wake up in bed with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
