The Showrunner Reveals He Has an Idea of How The Apple TV+ Show Will End... For Now.
The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would turn into a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he states. “I was surprised by the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
Now that Season 1 of the hit program reaching its finale—and a second season officially in the works—the writers' room reflected on the fan response and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.
Regarding the Incredible Viewer Reception
One could easily to get swayed by the widespread acclaim and online debates surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.
“It's like being an endless supply of your favorite dessert and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I learn of it from others, and that's on purpose. I have never searched for my own name online, nor do I ever plan to. It's quite the opposite. It's a deep trap I know I would get lost in and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
In spite of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no escaping the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to accept it graciously and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“We don't try to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not impacted by audience chatter.”
“It's wiser to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan adds.
The Big Question: Has the showrunner Have a Plan for the Finale of Pluribus?
Given that Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by audience theories, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? The answer is yes… sort of.
“We've developed some potential directions about where the show might end up,” Gilligan reveals. “but we are always ready to abandon a good idea for a more brilliant plan. This approach has served us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we find a more perfect path and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
Alternatively, if they hit a wall, executive producer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to use as a backup.
“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and that's where they've been all along,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Of course, why not reference the legendary finales?
“I want Carol to wake up in bed with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on the streaming service.
