The Showrunner Discloses He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Might Finish... For Now.
The creative mastermind did not foresee that the Apple TV+ show would become a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” he states. “It was unexpected the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”
With the first season of the hit series wrapping up—and a second season officially in the works—Gilligan and his team reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will influence the storyline of Pluribus.
About the Overwhelming Viewer Reception
One could easily to get sidetracked by the rampant praise and online debates regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to avoid both.
“It's like being constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I learn of it from others, and that's intentional. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever intend to. It's quite the opposite. It's a bottomless pit I know I would disappear down and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
Regardless of his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The most practical strategy is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by online forums.”
“Better to keep our heads down and working,” he chimes in.
The Central Mystery: Has the showrunner Have a Plan for the Finale of Pluribus?
Considering the writers are not listening by public opinion, does it imply they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? The answer is yes… sort of.
“We've developed some interesting ideas about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan reveals. “yet we stand ready to throw out 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 scrap ideas when we find a more perfect path and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
On the other hand, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to use as a backup.
“I keep pitching that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and we're in there,” Smith jokes, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Of course, why not reference the iconic TV endings?
“I want Carol to awaken next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is currently available on the streaming service.
