The Showrunner Reveals He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Will End... For Now.
The creative mastermind did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would turn into a massive hit. “The viewers have been incredible,” he states. “I was surprised by the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
As the debut season of the hit program reaching its finale—and Season 2 greenlit and underway—the creative team opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will impact the future direction of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Fan Response
It would be easy to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and online debates surrounding Pluribus. He is striving to ignore the noise.
“It's like being an endless supply of your favorite dessert and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's the greatest thing, but I learn of it from others, and that's on purpose. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a bottomless pit I know I would fall into and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
In spite of his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to take it in stride and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“It is not our goal to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not changed by online forums.”
“We prefer to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan adds.
A Pressing Query: Will the creator See the Finale of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff aren't taking cues by fan response, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… with some caveats.
“There are some potential directions about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to abandon a solid concept for a better idea. That philosophy has guided 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.”
Then again, if they hit a wall, executive producer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to serve as a last resort.
“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “but no one is buying it.”
Then again, one could always use the classics?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV+.
