The Showrunner Shares He Has an Idea of How His Sci-Fi Series Might Finish... At the Moment.
The creative mastermind did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a cultural phenomenon. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he states. “It was unexpected the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
Now that Season 1 of the acclaimed series wrapping up—and Season 2 greenlit and underway—the writers' room recently discussed the fan response and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.
About the Incredible Fan Response
Anyone might to get distracted by the constant speculation and fan theories regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.
“It's like being force fed your favorite dessert and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's the greatest thing, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's by design. Never in my life 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 get lost in and then I'd be never leaving the house from Home Depot and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
In spite of his concerted efforts, there’s no escaping 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 change the plot,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not impacted by online forums.”
“We prefer to keep our heads down and working,” he chimes in.
The Big Question: Does the showrunner Know the Ending of Pluribus?
So if the creative staff are not listening by public opinion, can we assume they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? The answer is yes… in a way.
“We've developed some potential directions about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “yet we stand ready to abandon a decent plan for a better idea. That philosophy has guided us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we conceive of something superior and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
On the other hand, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to use as a backup.
“I constantly suggest that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and we're in there,” he says humorously, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Of course, one could always use the iconic TV endings?
“My dream is Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is currently available on the streaming service.