Vince Gilligan Discloses He Knows How Pluribus Might Finish... For Now.
The creative mastermind could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he states. “It was unexpected the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
With the first season of the acclaimed program coming to an end—and the next chapter greenlit and underway—the creative team reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will impact the storyline of Pluribus.
About the Overwhelming Audience Reaction
It would be easy to get distracted by the rampant praise and audience predictions about Pluribus. He is making a conscious effort to avoid both.
“It's like being an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he describes. “It's amazing, but I learn of it through word of mouth, and that's by design. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever plan to. It's quite the opposite. It's a bottomless pit I know I would disappear down and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The most practical strategy is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not impacted by online forums.”
“Better to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.
A Pressing Query: Has Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
So if the creative staff are not listening by fan response, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will finally conclude? In short yes… with some caveats.
“We have some compelling concepts about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “yet we stand ready to throw out a decent plan for a better idea. That has held us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
On the other hand, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.
“I constantly suggest that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Of course, why not reference the iconic TV endings?
“I want Carol to awaken with Bob Newhart there,” he jokes.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
