The Showrunner Shares He Has an Idea of How His Sci-Fi Series Will Conclude... For Now.
The creative mastermind did not foresee that the Apple TV+ show would become a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” he states. “I did not foresee the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”
Now that Season 1 of the acclaimed program wrapping up—and Season 2 officially in the works—the writers' room recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will shape the storyline of Pluribus.
Regarding the Incredible Audience Reaction
It would be easy to get swayed by the constant speculation and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. He is making a conscious effort to avoid both.
“It's like being force fed something incredibly sweet and being in a state of bliss,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I get wind of it anecdotally, and that's by design. Never in my life searched for my own name online, nor do I ever want to. Not because I don't care. It's a deep trap I know I would get lost in 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 trying to stay away, there’s no way to avoid the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The most practical strategy is to accept it graciously 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. “The plot we develop is not impacted by what people are saying.”
“Better to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan adds.
The Central Mystery: Has the creator Have a Plan for the Ending of Pluribus?
Given that the creative staff aren’t being guided by public opinion, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will finally conclude? Essentially yes… with some caveats.
“There are some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” Gilligan reveals. “however, we remain prepared to throw out a solid concept for a better idea. That philosophy has guided us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
On the other hand, if they hit a wall, executive producer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to serve as a last resort.
“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and that's where they've been all along,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Then again, one could always use the classics?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
