The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Reveals He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Will End... At the Moment.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that Pluribus would turn into a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
Now that Season 1 of the hit series reaching its finale—and a second season already in development—Gilligan and his team recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Incredible Audience Reaction
Anyone might to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and fan theories surrounding Pluribus. The creator is striving to ignore the noise.
“The experience is akin to an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he describes. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it anecdotally, and that's intentional. 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 disappear down and then I'd be living in squalor from Home Depot and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
Regardless of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The most practical strategy is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“It is not our goal to change the plot,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by online forums.”
“It's wiser to keep our noses to the grindstone,” he chimes in.
The Central Mystery: Has the showrunner See the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering the writers are not listening by fan response, does it imply they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? The answer is yes… sort of.
“We've developed some potential directions about where the show might end up,” he states. “yet we stand ready to discard a solid concept for a more brilliant plan. That has held us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we find a more perfect path and I imagine we will be doing that.”
On the other hand, if they hit a wall, executive producer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to fall back on.
“I constantly suggest that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and that's where they've been all along,” Smith quips, “but no one is buying it.”
Then again, why not reference the legendary finales?
“I want Carol to wake up in bed beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV+.
