The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Reveals He Has a Plan for How His Sci-Fi Series Will End... For Now.
Vince Gilligan never anticipated that Pluribus would become a massive hit. “The viewers have been incredible,” he states. “I did not foresee the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
With the first season of the popular sci-fi show wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—the writers' room reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will impact the future direction of Pluribus.
About the Overwhelming Viewer Reception
It would be easy to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to steer clear of all that.
“It feels like an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he says. “It's amazing, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's by design. I have never searched for my own name online, nor do I ever want to. It's quite the opposite. It's a deep trap I know I would get lost in and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
In spite of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no escaping the immensely favorable response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We make no attempt to adjust our writing,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by what people are saying.”
“Better to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan adds.
The Central Mystery: Has Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Finale of Pluribus?
Given that Gilligan and his team aren't taking cues by fan response, does it imply they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… with some caveats.
“There are some potential directions about how the story could conclude,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to discard a solid concept for a more brilliant plan. That has held us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we get a better idea and I imagine we will be doing that.”
Alternatively, if all else fails, Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to use as a backup.
“I keep pitching that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and the characters are inside it,” he says humorously, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Of course, one could always use the classics?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.
