The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Discloses He Has a Plan for How The Apple TV+ Show Will End... Currently.
The creative mastermind did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a cultural phenomenon. “The viewers have been incredible,” he remarks. “It was unexpected the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
As the debut season of the popular program coming to an end—and the next chapter officially in the works—the writers' room recently discussed the audience reaction and whether it will shape the future direction of Pluribus.
On the Incredible Audience Reaction
One could easily to get swayed by the rampant praise and fan theories regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to avoid both.
“It's like being constantly eating your favorite dessert and being in a state of bliss,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I learn of it through word of mouth, and that's on purpose. Not once have I looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever plan to. It's quite the opposite. It's a bottomless pit I know I would fall into and then I'd be never leaving the house from Home Depot and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
Regardless of his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the overwhelmingly positive 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 adjust our writing,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not influenced by what people are saying.”
“Better to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan adds.
The Central Mystery: Does the showrunner Know the Finale of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff aren’t being guided by public opinion, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? The answer is yes… with some caveats.
“There are some compelling concepts about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to discard a good idea for a better idea. 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 imagine we will be doing that.”
On the other hand, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.
“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and that's where they've been all along,” Smith jokes, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Of course, one could always use the iconic TV endings?
“My dream is Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV.
