The Showrunner Shares He Has an Idea of How His Sci-Fi Series Might Finish... For Now.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that Pluribus would become a massive hit. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he remarks. “I was surprised by the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
Now that Season 1 of the acclaimed series reaching its finale—and the next chapter officially in the works—the creative team recently discussed the fan response and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Audience Reaction
Anyone might to get swayed by the constant speculation and fan theories surrounding Pluribus. The creator is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.
“The experience is akin to constantly eating your favorite dessert and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I learn of it from others, and that's by design. Never in my life Googled myself, nor do I ever want to. It's quite the opposite. It's a deep trap I know I would disappear down and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
In spite of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no escaping the immensely favorable response to the series. The most practical strategy is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“It is not our goal to change the plot,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by online forums.”
“Better to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan adds.
The Central Mystery: Will Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff aren’t being guided by fan response, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will finally conclude? Essentially yes… sort of.
“We've developed some interesting ideas about the ultimate destination,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to throw out a good idea for a more brilliant plan. 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 get a better idea and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
On the other hand, if all else fails, executive producer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to serve as a last resort.
“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “but no one is buying it.”
Then again, why not reference the iconic TV endings?
“I'd love for Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.
