The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Discloses He Has a Plan for How The Apple TV+ Show Will End... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that Pluribus would emerge as a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” he remarks. “It was unexpected the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”
With the first season of the popular series wrapping up—and Season 2 already in development—Gilligan and his team reflected on the fan response and whether it will impact the storyline of Pluribus.
On the Incredible Fan Response
Anyone might to get distracted by the rampant praise and audience predictions regarding Pluribus. He is doing his best to steer clear of all that.
“It's like being force fed something incredibly sweet and being in a state of bliss,” he explains. “It's the greatest thing, but I learn of it from others, and that's on purpose. I have never searched for my own name online, 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 pooping in a five gallon bucket from Home Depot and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s no escaping the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The most practical strategy 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 Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by audience chatter.”
“Better to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.
The Central Mystery: Will the creator Know the Finale of Pluribus?
Considering Gilligan and his team are not listening by public opinion, can we assume they already know how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? Essentially yes… sort of.
“We've developed some potential directions about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to throw out a decent plan for a superior concept. This approach has served us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we find a more perfect path and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Alternatively, if all else fails, executive producer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to fall back on.
“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and the characters are inside it,” Smith quips, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Of course, why not reference the iconic TV endings?
“My dream is Carol to wake up in bed with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV.