The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Shares He Has a Plan for How His Sci-Fi Series Will End... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer never anticipated that his new science-fiction series would emerge as 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.”
With the first season of the popular series wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—Gilligan and his team recently discussed the audience reaction and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.
On the Overwhelming Audience Reaction
Anyone might to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. He is striving to steer clear of all that.
“The experience is akin to force fed hot fudge sundaes and being tickled to death,” he describes. “It's the greatest thing, but I get wind of it through word of mouth, and that's on purpose. I have never searched for my own name online, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a rabbit hole I know I would fall into and then I'd be living in squalor from Home Depot and I'd never leave my living room.”
Despite Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The best he and his team can do 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 Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not influenced by audience chatter.”
“We prefer to keep our noses to the grindstone,” he chimes in.
The Central Mystery: Does the showrunner Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff aren’t being guided by fan response, does it imply they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? Essentially yes… sort of.
“There are some potential directions about the ultimate destination,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to discard a solid concept for a better idea. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape 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.”
Then again, if plans fall through, Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.
“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside 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.”
Of course, why not reference the legendary finales?
“I'd love for Carol to awaken beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV+.