The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Reveals He Has an Idea of How The Apple TV+ Show Will End... For Now.
The creative mastermind never anticipated that Pluribus would emerge as a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” Gilligan says. “I was surprised by the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
As the debut season of the acclaimed series wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—the writers' room reflected on the fan response and whether it will impact the future direction of Pluribus.
About the Tremendous Viewer Reception
It would be easy to get distracted by the constant speculation and online debates surrounding Pluribus. He is doing his best to avoid both.
“It's like being constantly eating your favorite dessert and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it from others, 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 bottomless pit I know I would disappear down and then I'd be never leaving the house from Home Depot and I'd never leave my living room.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the immensely favorable response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to take it in stride and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“It is not our goal to tailor anything,” says Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not changed by audience chatter.”
“Better to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan adds.
The Big Question: Will Vince Gilligan Know the Ending of Pluribus?
Given that the writers aren't taking cues by fan response, does it imply they have already decided how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… in a way.
“There are some potential directions about the ultimate destination,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a solid concept for a more brilliant plan. This approach has served 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 expect we'll continue doing that.”
Then again, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to serve as a last resort.
“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and we're in there,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Of course, why not reference the classics?
“My dream is Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.
