The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Reveals He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Will End... Currently.
The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” he remarks. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”
As the debut season of the hit sci-fi show wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—the writers' room recently discussed the fan response and whether it will shape the storyline of Pluribus.
About the Tremendous Viewer Reception
One could easily to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and online debates surrounding Pluribus. The creator is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.
“It feels like constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he says. “It's wonderful, but I get wind of it anecdotally, and that's intentional. I have never looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever intend to. It's quite the opposite. 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 never leave my living room.”
Despite trying to stay away, there’s no escaping 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 make no attempt to adjust our writing,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not changed by audience chatter.”
“We prefer to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan adds.
A Pressing Query: Has Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Finale of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff aren’t being guided by audience theories, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? Essentially yes… sort of.
“We've developed some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” Gilligan reveals. “yet we stand ready to abandon a good idea for a more brilliant plan. That has held us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we conceive of something superior and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
Alternatively, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.
“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”
Of course, one could always use the legendary finales?
“I want Carol to wake up in bed beside Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.
