The Showrunner Discloses He Knows How Pluribus Might Finish... At the Moment.
The creative mastermind could not have predicted that Pluribus would become a breakout success. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
As the debut season of the popular program reaching its finale—and the next chapter already in development—the writers' room reflected on the fan response and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Overwhelming Viewer Reception
Anyone might to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions about Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to steer clear of all that.
“It feels like constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he describes. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it from others, and that's on purpose. Not once have I looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever want to. Not because I don't care. It's a deep trap I know I would disappear down and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
Regardless of his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore 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 dictate the story of the show.
“It is not our goal to change the plot,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not impacted by what people are saying.”
“Better to keep our heads down and working,” he chimes in.
The Central Mystery: Does the creator Know the Ending of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff aren't taking cues by fan response, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… in a way.
“We have some compelling concepts about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “yet we stand ready to abandon a decent plan for a better idea. That has held us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we get a better idea and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
On the other hand, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to fall back on.
“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and the characters are inside it,” he says humorously, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Alternatively, why not reference the legendary finales?
“I'd love for Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV.