🔗 Share this article

The creative mastermind did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would become a massive hit. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”

With the first season of the acclaimed sci-fi show reaching its finale—and Season 2 already in development—the creative team recently discussed the fan response and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.

On the Tremendous Audience Reaction

It would be easy to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions regarding Pluribus. The creator is making a conscious effort to ignore the noise.

“It feels like force fed something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I get wind of it through word of mouth, and that's intentional. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever plan to. It's quite the opposite. It's a deep trap I know I would fall into 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 no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to take it in stride and try not to let it alter the course of the show.

“We make no attempt to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not impacted by audience chatter.”

“Better to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.

A Pressing Query: Will the creator See the Conclusion of Pluribus?

Considering the writers aren't taking cues by fan response, can we assume they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… with some caveats.

“We've developed some potential directions about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan reveals. “yet we stand ready to abandon a solid concept for a better idea. That philosophy has guided us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”

Then again, if all else fails, executive producer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to serve as a last resort.

“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and we're in there,” Smith quips, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”

Alternatively, one could always use the legendary finales?

“I want Carol to awaken next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.

---

Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.