The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Discloses He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Might Finish... At the Moment.
The creative mastermind could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would turn into a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” he remarks. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”
Now that Season 1 of the acclaimed program wrapping up—and a second season already in development—the writers' room opened up about the fan response and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.
Regarding the Tremendous Fan Response
Anyone might to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and online debates regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to steer clear of all that.
“It feels like constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being tickled to death,” he describes. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it through word of mouth, and that's intentional. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a rabbit hole I know I would disappear down and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
In spite of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The most practical strategy is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.
“It is not our goal to change the plot,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not impacted by audience chatter.”
“We prefer to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan concludes.
The Big Question: Will Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Given that the writers aren’t being guided by public opinion, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will finally conclude? In short yes… in a way.
“We've developed some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” Gilligan reveals. “but we are always ready to abandon a solid concept for a superior concept. That has held us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea and I imagine we will be doing that.”
Alternatively, if all else fails, director and writer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to use as a backup.
“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and the characters are inside it,” Smith jokes, “but no one is buying it.”
Alternatively, why not reference the iconic TV endings?
“My dream is Carol to wake up in bed beside Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus is currently available on the streaming service.
