The Showrunner Discloses He Has a Plan for How Pluribus Will End... At the Moment.
Vince Gilligan could not have predicted that the Apple TV+ show would turn into a massive hit. “God bless the fans,” he states. “It was unexpected the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
As the debut season of the acclaimed series wrapping up—and a second season already in development—the writers' room recently discussed the audience reaction and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.
About the Overwhelming Fan Response
It would be easy to get swayed by the constant speculation and fan theories about Pluribus. The creator is making a conscious effort to avoid both.
“It's like being constantly eating something incredibly sweet and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I learn of it from others, and that's on purpose. Not once have I looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever plan to. Not because I don't care. It's a rabbit hole I know I would get lost in and then I'd be never leaving the house from Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
Regardless of trying to stay away, there’s no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The most practical strategy is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We don't try to adjust our writing,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not changed by what people are saying.”
“We prefer to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan concludes.
The Big Question: Does the showrunner See the Ending of Pluribus?
Considering Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by fan response, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? Essentially yes… sort of.
“There are some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” he states. “yet we stand ready to throw out a solid concept for a superior concept. That has held us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we get a better idea and I imagine we will be doing that.”
Alternatively, if all else fails, Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to fall back on.
“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and the characters are inside it,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Then again, why not reference the iconic TV endings?
“My dream is Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
