The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Reveals He Has a Plan for How Pluribus Might Finish... At the Moment.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that Pluribus would turn into a massive hit. “The viewers have been incredible,” he remarks. “I was surprised by the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”
Now that Season 1 of the popular sci-fi show reaching its finale—and Season 2 already in development—the writers' room reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will shape the storyline of Pluribus.
Regarding the Incredible Fan Response
Anyone might to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions about Pluribus. The creator is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.
“It's like being an endless supply of your favorite dessert and being tickled to death,” he describes. “It's the greatest thing, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's on purpose. Never in my life Googled myself, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a deep trap I know I would fall into and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
In spite of his concerted efforts, there’s no escaping the overwhelmingly positive 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.
“We don't try to change the plot,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not impacted by online forums.”
“We prefer to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan adds.
The Big Question: Does Vince Gilligan Know the Conclusion of Pluribus?
So if Gilligan and his team aren't taking cues by public opinion, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… with some caveats.
“There are some potential directions about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to discard a decent plan for a better idea. This approach has served us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Then again, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to use as a backup.
“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and we're in there,” he says humorously, “but no one is buying it.”
Then again, one could always use the classics?
“I want Carol to awaken beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.
