Vince Gilligan never anticipated that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “It was unexpected the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”
With the first season of the acclaimed program reaching its finale—and a second season greenlit and underway—the writers' room recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will shape the storyline of Pluribus.
Anyone might to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and online debates about Pluribus. He is doing his best to steer clear of all that.
“It feels like constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I hear about it from others, and that's by design. I have never looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a bottomless pit I know I would get lost in and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”
Despite his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the immensely favorable response to the series. The most practical strategy is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“We don't try to adjust our writing,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by what people are saying.”
“We prefer to keep our noses to the grindstone,” he chimes in.
So if the creative staff aren't taking cues by public opinion, can we assume they have mapped out how Pluribus will finally conclude? The answer is yes… sort of.
“We have some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to discard a decent plan for a more brilliant plan. This approach has served us in well 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.”
Then again, if plans fall through, Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.
“I keep pitching that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Alternatively, why not reference the legendary finales?
“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.
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Michelle Beard
Michelle Beard
Michelle Beard
Michelle Beard
Michelle Beard
Michelle Beard