The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Discloses He Knows How Pluribus Might Finish... Currently.
Vince Gilligan could not have predicted that the Apple TV+ show would turn into a massive hit. “God bless the fans,” he remarks. “It was unexpected the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
As the debut season of the popular program wrapping up—and a second season already in development—the creative team opened up about the fan response and whether it will impact the storyline of Pluribus.
On the Overwhelming Fan Response
Anyone might to get swayed by the constant speculation and online debates regarding Pluribus. The creator is doing his best to ignore the noise.
“It's like being force fed your favorite dessert and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I get wind of it through word of mouth, and that's on purpose. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever plan to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a rabbit hole I know I would disappear down and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to accept it graciously and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by audience chatter.”
“Better to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan adds.
The Central Mystery: Will the showrunner Know the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Given that Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by audience theories, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? Essentially yes… with some caveats.
“There are some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a decent plan for a better idea. This approach has served us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea and I imagine we will be doing that.”
Then again, if plans fall through, executive producer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.
“I keep pitching 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, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Alternatively, 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+.
