The Showrunner Shares He Has a Plan for How Pluribus Will End... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would turn into a breakout success. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”
As the debut season of the popular sci-fi show coming to an end—and Season 2 officially in the works—the writers' room reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will shape the storyline of Pluribus.
About the Tremendous Fan Response
One could easily to get swayed by the rampant praise and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is striving to avoid both.
“It's like being force fed your favorite dessert and being in a state of bliss,” he describes. “It's wonderful, but I hear about it from others, and that's on purpose. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever want to. Not because I don't care. It's a bottomless pit I know I would get lost in and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
Despite Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The most practical strategy is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not impacted by what people are saying.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan concludes.
The Big Question: Does the showrunner Know the Ending of Pluribus?
Considering the writers are not listening by public opinion, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… sort of.
“We have some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” he states. “yet we stand ready to throw out a solid concept for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
Alternatively, if all else fails, executive producer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.
“I keep pitching that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and the characters are inside it,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Then again, why mess with the iconic TV endings?
“I'd love for Carol to wake up in bed with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
