The Showrunner Reveals He Has a Plan for How Pluribus Might Finish... Currently.
The creative mastermind did not foresee that the Apple TV+ show would emerge as a massive hit. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “It was unexpected the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”
With the first season of the acclaimed series coming to an end—and Season 2 greenlit and underway—the creative team recently discussed the fan response and whether it will influence the future direction of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Fan Response
It would be easy to get distracted by the constant speculation and fan theories surrounding Pluribus. The creator is doing his best to avoid both.
“It's like being constantly eating something incredibly sweet and being in a state of bliss,” he describes. “It's amazing, but I hear about it anecdotally, and that's by design. I have never searched for my own name online, nor do I ever plan to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a bottomless pit I know I would disappear down and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
Despite trying to stay away, there’s no escaping the immensely favorable response to the series. The most practical strategy is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“We don't try to tailor anything,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not impacted by what people are saying.”
“Better to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.
The Central Mystery: Has the creator See the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering the writers aren’t being guided by audience theories, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will finally conclude? Essentially yes… in a way.
“We've developed some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “yet we stand ready to abandon a solid concept for a superior concept. This approach has served us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Alternatively, if they hit a wall, Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.
“I keep pitching that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and we're in there,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, why not reference the classics?
“My dream is Carol to awaken next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on the streaming service.
