Vince Gilligan Reveals He Has an Idea of How His Sci-Fi Series Will Conclude... For Now.
Vince Gilligan did not foresee that the Apple TV+ show would emerge as a massive hit. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
With the first season of the hit sci-fi show wrapping up—and the next chapter officially in the works—the creative team reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will shape the future direction of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Audience Reaction
It would be easy to get swayed by the rampant praise and fan theories regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to ignore the noise.
“It feels like an endless supply of something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's amazing, but I get wind of it from others, 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 deep trap I know I would disappear down and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
In spite 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 make no attempt to adjust our writing,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not impacted by audience chatter.”
“We prefer to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan concludes.
A Pressing Query: Does the creator See the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Given that the creative staff aren't taking cues by fan response, can we assume they already know how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… with some caveats.
“We've developed some potential directions about how the story could conclude,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to discard a decent plan for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided 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 plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.
“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end 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 awaken with Bob Newhart there,” he jokes.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV+.
