Vince Gilligan could not have predicted that Pluribus would turn into a cultural phenomenon. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he remarks. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
As the debut season of the popular series wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—the creative team reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.
One could easily 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 constantly eating something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it through word of mouth, and that's intentional. Never in my life searched for my own name online, nor do I ever intend to. Not because I don't care. 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 be stuck in my living room.”
Despite Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The most practical strategy is to take it in stride and try not to let it alter the course of the show.
“We don't try to tailor anything,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by audience chatter.”
“Better to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan concludes.
So if the writers are not listening by public opinion, does it imply they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? The answer is yes… with some caveats.
“There are some compelling concepts about how the story could conclude,” he states. “but we are always ready to discard a decent plan for a superior concept. This approach has served us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we conceive of something superior and I expect we'll continue doing that.”
Alternatively, if all else fails, Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to use as a backup.
“I constantly suggest that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and we're in there,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Of course, why mess with the classics?
“I want Carol to wake up in bed with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.
Elara is a passionate writer and photographer who shares insights on creativity and mindful living through engaging storytelling.
