The Showrunner Shares He Knows How Pluribus Will Conclude... At the Moment.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that the Apple TV+ show would become a massive hit. “God bless the fans,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
As the debut season of the popular sci-fi show wrapping up—and a second season already in development—Gilligan and his team opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will influence the future direction of Pluribus.
On the Overwhelming Audience Reaction
One could easily to get distracted by the rampant praise and audience predictions about Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to steer clear of all that.
“It's like being force fed hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he describes. “It's wonderful, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's intentional. Never in my life searched for my own name online, nor do I ever plan to. It's quite the opposite. It's a deep trap I know I would get lost in and then I'd be living in squalor from Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
Regardless of his concerted efforts, there’s no escaping the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The most practical strategy is to take it in stride and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“We don't try to adjust our writing,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not influenced by what people are saying.”
“Better to keep our heads down and working,” he chimes in.
A Pressing Query: Will the creator See the Finale of Pluribus?
Given that the writers are not listening by audience theories, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will finally conclude? Essentially yes… in a way.
“We have some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to discard a solid concept for a better idea. That has held us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we find a more perfect path and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
On the other hand, if plans fall through, executive producer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to serve as a last resort.
“My recurring proposal is 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?
“I'd love for Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.
