Vince Gilligan Discloses He Has a Plan for How Pluribus Might Finish... For Now.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” he remarks. “I did not foresee the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
As the debut season of the popular program wrapping up—and the next chapter officially in the works—the writers' room reflected on the fan response and whether it will shape the storyline of Pluribus.
Regarding the Incredible Viewer Reception
It would be easy to get sidetracked by the constant speculation and online debates regarding Pluribus. He is striving to ignore the noise.
“It's like being an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being tickled to death,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it anecdotally, and that's by design. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever intend to. Not because I don't care. It's a deep trap I know I would disappear down and then I'd be living in squalor from Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
Despite trying to stay away, there’s no escaping the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We don't try to tailor anything,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not influenced by audience chatter.”
“It's wiser to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan adds.
The Big Question: Will Vince Gilligan Know the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff are not listening by public opinion, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? The answer is yes… in a way.
“We've developed some potential directions about where the show might end up,” Gilligan reveals. “but we are always ready to discard a good idea for a superior concept. That has held us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we conceive of something superior and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Alternatively, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.
“I constantly suggest that everything takes place within 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.”
Of course, why mess with the iconic TV endings?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
