The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Reveals He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Might Finish... Currently.
Vince Gilligan could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would turn into a massive hit. “The viewers have been incredible,” he states. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
As the debut season of the acclaimed sci-fi show wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—the creative team reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.
About the Incredible Viewer Reception
Anyone might to get distracted by the constant speculation and fan theories about Pluribus. He is doing his best to avoid both.
“It feels like force fed something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it anecdotally, and that's by design. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a deep trap I know I would disappear down and then I'd be living in squalor from Home Depot and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”
In spite of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We don't try to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not impacted by what people are saying.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan adds.
The Big Question: Does the showrunner Know the Conclusion of Pluribus?
Considering the creative staff aren’t being guided by public opinion, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? Essentially yes… with some caveats.
“We've developed some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to throw out a solid concept for a better idea. This approach has served us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas 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 humorous idea to fall back on.
“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, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Then again, why not reference the classics?
“I want Carol to awaken beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is streaming now on the streaming service.
