The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Shares He Has an Idea of How His Sci-Fi Series Will End... For Now.
Vince Gilligan could not have predicted that Pluribus would become a cultural phenomenon. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he states. “I did not foresee the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
With the first season of the hit sci-fi show reaching its finale—and a second season officially in the works—the writers' room recently discussed the audience reaction and whether it will influence the storyline of Pluribus.
About the Tremendous Fan Response
It would be easy to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and fan theories regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is striving to steer clear of all that.
“It's like being an endless supply of your favorite dessert and being in a state of bliss,” he describes. “It's the greatest thing, but I get wind of it anecdotally, and that's intentional. I have never Googled myself, nor do I ever want to. It's quite the opposite. It's a bottomless pit I know I would fall into and then I'd be never leaving the house from Home Depot and I'd never leave my living room.”
Regardless of his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The most practical strategy is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“We don't try to adjust our writing,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by audience chatter.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan concludes.
The Central Mystery: Has the showrunner Have a Plan for the Ending of Pluribus?
Given that Gilligan and his team are not listening by fan response, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… sort of.
“We've developed some interesting ideas about how the story could conclude,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to discard a good idea for a better idea. That has held us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Alternatively, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to serve as a last resort.
“I keep pitching that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and we're in there,” Smith quips, “but no one is buying it.”
Alternatively, why not reference the iconic TV endings?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
