The Showrunner Shares He Knows How The Apple TV+ Show Will End... Currently.
Vince Gilligan could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he remarks. “I did not foresee the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
With the first season of the acclaimed sci-fi show coming to an end—and a second season greenlit and underway—the creative team reflected on the audience reaction and whether it will shape the future direction of Pluribus.
About the Overwhelming Audience Reaction
It would be easy to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and fan theories regarding Pluribus. He is making a conscious effort to avoid both.
“It feels like constantly eating your favorite dessert and being tickled to death,” he says. “It's amazing, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's on purpose. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever plan to. Not because I don't care. It's a bottomless pit 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.”
Regardless of trying to stay away, there’s it's impossible to ignore the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The most practical strategy is to take it in stride and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“It is not our goal to adjust our writing,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by what people are saying.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.
A Pressing Query: Does Vince Gilligan See the Finale of Pluribus?
Given that Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by audience theories, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… with some caveats.
“There are some compelling concepts about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to discard a solid concept for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we find a more perfect path and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
Alternatively, if plans fall through, Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.
“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and we're in there,” Smith quips, “but no one is buying it.”
Alternatively, why not reference the legendary finales?
“I want Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.
