The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Discloses He Has a Plan for How Pluribus Will End... For Now.
The creative mastermind never anticipated that the Apple TV+ show would turn into a cultural phenomenon. “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 popular program coming to an end—and Season 2 officially in the works—the creative team opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Overwhelming Viewer Reception
One could easily to get distracted by the constant speculation and online debates regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is striving to steer clear of all that.
“The experience is akin to constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I learn of it through word of mouth, and that's by design. I have never searched for my own name online, nor do I ever want to. It's quite the opposite. It's a deep trap I know I would fall into and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
In spite of his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“It is not our goal to tailor anything,” says Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not influenced by audience chatter.”
“Better to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan adds.
The Central Mystery: Has the showrunner Know the Finale of Pluribus?
So if the creative staff aren’t being guided by audience theories, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… with some caveats.
“We've developed some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan reveals. “yet we stand ready to throw out a solid concept 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 suspect we'll be doing that.”
Alternatively, if all else fails, director and writer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to serve as a last resort.
“My recurring proposal is that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and that's where they've been all along,” Smith jokes, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, one could always use the legendary finales?
“My dream is Carol to open her eyes beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
