The Showrunner Shares He Knows How The Apple TV+ Show Might Finish... For Now.
The acclaimed writer-producer never anticipated that his new science-fiction series would become a breakout success. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
Now that Season 1 of the hit program wrapping up—and the next chapter already in development—the writers' room opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will influence the future direction of Pluribus.
Regarding the Incredible Fan Response
One could easily to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. He is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.
“It feels like force fed something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it from others, and that's by design. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever plan to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a bottomless pit I know I would fall into and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
In spite of trying to stay away, there’s no escaping the immensely favorable response to the series. The best he and his team can do 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 writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not changed by what people are saying.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan concludes.
The Big Question: Does the creator Have a Plan for the Ending of Pluribus?
Considering Gilligan and his team aren't taking cues by public opinion, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will finally conclude? Essentially yes… with some caveats.
“We've developed some interesting ideas about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan reveals. “yet we stand ready to throw out a good idea for a more brilliant plan. That has held us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we conceive of something superior and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
Then again, if plans fall through, Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to fall back on.
“My recurring proposal is that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and we're in there,” Smith jokes, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Of course, why not reference the legendary finales?
“I want Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus can be watched on the streaming service.