The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Discloses He Knows How Pluribus Might Finish... At the Moment.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that Pluribus would emerge as a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “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 popular series wrapping up—and a second season already in development—the creative team recently discussed the fan response and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Audience Reaction
One could easily to get swayed by the rampant praise and online debates surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to steer clear of all that.
“The experience is akin to constantly eating your favorite dessert and being in a state of bliss,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I get wind of it through word of mouth, and that's by design. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever intend to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a rabbit hole I know I would get lost in and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
In spite of his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The only approach for the writers 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 writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not impacted by what people are saying.”
“We prefer to keep our noses to the grindstone,” he chimes in.
A Pressing Query: Does the creator Know the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by audience theories, does it imply they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… in a way.
“We've developed some interesting ideas about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “yet we stand ready to abandon a good idea for a better idea. 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 plans fall through, executive producer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to fall back on.
“I keep pitching that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and the characters are inside it,” Smith quips, “but no one is buying it.”
Then again, one could always use the classics?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus can be watched on the streaming service.