The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Discloses He Has a Plan for How Pluribus Will End... For Now.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that the Apple TV+ show would turn into a breakout success. “The viewers have been incredible,” he remarks. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
With the first season of the hit sci-fi show wrapping up—and the next chapter greenlit and underway—the writers' room opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will shape the storyline of Pluribus.
On the Incredible Audience Reaction
It would be easy to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and online debates surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is striving to ignore the noise.
“It's like being force fed hot fudge sundaes and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I get wind of it through word of mouth, and that's intentional. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever intend to. It's quite the opposite. It's a bottomless pit 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.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The most practical strategy is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We make no attempt to adjust our writing,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not influenced by what people are saying.”
“We prefer to keep our noses to the grindstone,” he chimes in.
A Pressing Query: Does the creator Have a Plan for the Finale of Pluribus?
So if the creative staff aren't taking cues by fan response, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… in a way.
“There are some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a solid concept 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 suspect we'll be doing that.”
On the other hand, if all else fails, director and writer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to use as a backup.
“My recurring proposal is that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and that's where they've been all along,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Of course, why not reference the classics?
“I want Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
