The Showrunner Discloses He Has an Idea of How His Sci-Fi Series Might Finish... At the Moment.

Vince Gilligan could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would become a massive hit. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he remarks. “I was surprised by the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”

Now that Season 1 of the hit program coming to an end—and a second season officially in the works—the creative team reflected on the fan response and whether it will impact the future direction of Pluribus.

Regarding the Tremendous Viewer Reception

It would be easy to get swayed by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. The creator is making a conscious effort to avoid both.

“The experience is akin to an endless supply of your favorite dessert and being tickled to death,” he says. “It's wonderful, but I get wind of it through word of mouth, and that's on purpose. Never in my life Googled myself, nor do I ever plan 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 pooping in a five gallon bucket from Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”

In spite of his concerted efforts, there’s no escaping the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.

“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not changed by audience chatter.”

“We prefer to keep our noses to the grindstone,” he chimes in.

A Pressing Query: Will the showrunner Know the Finale of Pluribus?

Given that the writers aren't taking cues by audience theories, does it imply they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? The answer is yes… sort of.

“We've developed some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan says. “yet we stand ready to discard 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 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 humorous idea to fall back on.

“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and that's where they've been all along,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”

Alternatively, why mess with the legendary finales?

“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes beside Bob Newhart,” he jokes.

Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV+.