Vince Gilligan Shares He Has a Plan for How Pluribus Will End... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a cultural phenomenon. “The viewers have been incredible,” he states. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
Now that Season 1 of the acclaimed series coming to an end—and a second season already in development—the writers' room recently discussed the fan response and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Audience Reaction
One could easily to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and online debates surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to avoid both.
“The experience is akin to an endless supply of your favorite dessert and being in a state of bliss,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I hear about it through word of mouth, and that's intentional. Not once have I searched for my own name online, nor do I ever intend to. It's quite the opposite. It's a rabbit hole I know I would get lost in and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The most practical strategy is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“It is not our goal to adjust our writing,” says Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not influenced by what people are saying.”
“Better to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan adds.
A Pressing Query: Has the showrunner Have a Plan for the Finale of Pluribus?
Considering the writers are not listening by fan response, does it imply they have mapped out how Pluribus will finally conclude? In short yes… sort of.
“There are some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” he states. “but we are always ready to abandon a solid concept 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 suspect we'll be doing that.”
Then again, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.
“I constantly suggest that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and we're in there,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, why mess with the legendary finales?
“My dream is Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
