The Showrunner Shares He Has an Idea of How The Apple TV+ Show Will End... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would become a cultural phenomenon. “God bless the fans,” he remarks. “It was unexpected the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
With the first season of the hit sci-fi show coming to an end—and a second season greenlit and underway—the creative team reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will influence the storyline of Pluribus.
About the Overwhelming Audience Reaction
Anyone might to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and fan theories surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to ignore the noise.
“It feels like an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I get wind of it through word of mouth, and that's intentional. Not once have I searched for my own name online, nor do I ever plan to. Not because I don't care. It's a rabbit hole I know I would get lost in and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
Regardless of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no way to avoid the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“It is not our goal to adjust our writing,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not influenced by audience chatter.”
“We prefer to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan concludes.
The Central Mystery: Does the creator Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff are not listening by fan response, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… in a way.
“We've developed some potential directions about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to throw out a good idea for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we get a better idea and I imagine we will be doing that.”
On the other hand, if all else fails, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.
“I constantly suggest that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and the characters are inside it,” Smith quips, “but no one is buying it.”
Of course, one could always use the classics?
“My dream is Carol to wake up in bed beside Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV+.
