The Showrunner Shares He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Will Conclude... At the Moment.
Vince Gilligan never anticipated that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a cultural phenomenon. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he remarks. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
As the debut season of the hit sci-fi show reaching its finale—and the next chapter officially in the works—the writers' room recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will shape the future direction of Pluribus.
Regarding the Tremendous Viewer Reception
It would be easy to get swayed by the widespread acclaim and fan theories about Pluribus. He is making a conscious effort to avoid both.
“It feels like an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I hear about it anecdotally, and that's by design. Not once have I searched for my own name online, nor do I ever intend to. Not because I don't care. It's a rabbit hole I know I would get lost in and then I'd be never leaving the house from Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
In spite of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no way to avoid the extremely enthusiastic 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 Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not changed by what people are saying.”
“Better to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan adds.
A Pressing Query: Will the showrunner Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
So if the writers are not listening by audience theories, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? Essentially yes… sort of.
“There are some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” he states. “but we are always ready to abandon a decent plan for a superior concept. That has held us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we find a more perfect path and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Then again, if plans fall through, executive producer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.
“I keep pitching that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and that's where they've been all along,” Smith quips, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Of course, why mess with the iconic TV endings?
“I'd love for Carol to awaken next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV+.
