Vince Gilligan Discloses He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Will Conclude... At the Moment.
The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that Pluribus would become a breakout success. “The viewers have been incredible,” he remarks. “I did not foresee the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
As the debut season of the popular series wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—the creative team opened up about the audience reaction and whether it will impact the future direction of Pluribus.
About the Tremendous Fan Response
It would be easy to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and online debates about Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.
“The experience is akin to constantly eating something incredibly sweet and being tickled to death,” he describes. “It's the greatest thing, but I learn of it through word of mouth, and that's by design. Not once have I looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever intend to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a deep trap I know I would fall into and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
In spite of 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.
“It is not our goal to tailor anything,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not impacted by what people are saying.”
“It's wiser to keep our heads down and working,” he chimes in.
The Central Mystery: Does the creator Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering the writers aren’t being guided by audience theories, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? The answer is yes… sort of.
“There are some potential directions about where the show might end up,” he states. “yet we stand ready to discard a solid concept for a superior concept. This approach has served us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we conceive of something superior and I imagine we will be doing that.”
Then again, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.
“I constantly suggest that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and we're in there,” he says humorously, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Then again, why not reference the classics?
“My dream is Carol to awaken beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus can be watched on the streaming service.
