Vince Gilligan Shares He Has an Idea of How His Sci-Fi Series Will End... Currently.
Vince Gilligan could not have predicted that Pluribus would emerge as a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” he remarks. “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 popular series wrapping up—and Season 2 greenlit and underway—the creative team recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Overwhelming Viewer Reception
One could easily to get swayed by the widespread acclaim and online debates regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to ignore the noise.
“It feels like an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he describes. “It's the greatest thing, but I learn of it through word of mouth, and that's by design. Never in my life searched for my own name online, nor do I ever intend to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a bottomless pit I know I would fall into and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
Regardless of trying to stay away, there’s it's impossible to ignore the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“We don't try to tailor anything,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not impacted by online forums.”
“Better to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan concludes.
A Pressing Query: Does the creator See the Ending of Pluribus?
Given that the writers aren’t being guided by fan response, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… sort of.
“We've developed some interesting ideas about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan reveals. “yet we stand ready to abandon a good idea for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea and I imagine we will be doing that.”
Then again, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to use as a backup.
“I constantly suggest that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and the characters are inside it,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Then again, why not reference the classics?
“I'd love for Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV.
