The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Reveals He Knows How Pluribus Will Conclude... For Now.
The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would become a massive hit. “The viewers have been incredible,” he remarks. “It was unexpected the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
As the debut season of the hit sci-fi show coming to an end—and Season 2 greenlit and underway—Gilligan and his team reflected on the audience reaction and whether it will shape the future direction of Pluribus.
On the Incredible Fan Response
It would be easy to get sidetracked by the rampant praise and fan theories surrounding Pluribus. He is making a conscious effort to ignore the noise.
“The experience is akin to constantly eating something incredibly sweet and being in a state of bliss,” he says. “It's amazing, but I hear about it from others, and that's intentional. I have never 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 get lost in and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
Regardless of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s it's impossible to ignore the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We make no attempt to change the plot,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by online forums.”
“It's wiser to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan adds.
A Pressing Query: Will the showrunner Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering the writers are not listening by public opinion, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… with some caveats.
“We've developed some compelling concepts about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to throw out a good idea for a superior concept. This approach has served us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we find a more perfect path and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Then again, if they hit a wall, 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, “but no one is buying it.”
Then again, one could always use the legendary finales?
“My dream is Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on the streaming service.
