The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Reveals He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Might Finish... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that the Apple TV+ show would turn into a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “I was surprised by the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
As the debut season of the popular program coming to an end—and Season 2 officially in the works—the creative team opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will shape the future direction of Pluribus.
On the Incredible Viewer Reception
It would be easy to get swayed by the rampant praise and online debates regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to avoid both.
“It feels like constantly eating your favorite dessert and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I learn of it from others, and that's by design. I have never Googled myself, nor do I ever intend to. Not because I don't care. It's a rabbit hole I know I would fall into and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
Despite trying to stay away, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The most practical strategy is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not impacted by what people are saying.”
“We prefer to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan adds.
A Pressing Query: Does Vince Gilligan See the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by public opinion, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… sort of.
“We've developed some compelling concepts about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan reveals. “however, we remain prepared to throw out a solid concept for a superior concept. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we conceive of something superior and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
On the other hand, if they hit a wall, Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to use as a backup.
“I keep pitching that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, why not reference the classics?
“I want Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.
