The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Reveals He Has an Idea of How The Apple TV+ Show Will End... At the Moment.
The creative mastermind did not foresee that Pluribus would become a cultural phenomenon. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “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 coming to an end—and the next chapter already in development—the creative team recently discussed the fan response and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Tremendous Audience Reaction
It would be easy to get swayed by the widespread acclaim and fan theories surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to ignore the noise.
“It's like being constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he says. “It's amazing, but I hear about it through word of mouth, and that's by design. I have never searched for my own name online, nor do I ever plan 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 Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
In spite of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We don't try to change the plot,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by audience chatter.”
“We prefer to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan concludes.
A Pressing Query: Does the showrunner See the Conclusion of Pluribus?
So if the creative staff aren’t being guided by audience theories, does it imply they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… sort of.
“There are some interesting ideas about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan reveals. “however, we remain prepared to throw out a decent plan for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we conceive of something superior and I imagine we will be doing that.”
Then again, if all else fails, executive producer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to fall back on.
“I constantly suggest that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and we're in there,” Smith jokes, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Then again, why mess with the legendary finales?
“My dream is Carol to awaken next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV+.
