🔗 Share this article

The creative mastermind could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a cultural phenomenon. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”

Now that Season 1 of the hit program wrapping up—and a second season already in development—Gilligan and his team opened up about the audience reaction and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.

Regarding the Tremendous Audience Reaction

Anyone might to get swayed by the constant speculation and audience predictions regarding Pluribus. He is striving to avoid both.

“It feels like force fed something incredibly sweet and being tickled to death,” he describes. “It's wonderful, but I learn of it from others, and that's intentional. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever intend 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 rarely emerge from my living room.”

Despite his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The most practical strategy is to accept it graciously and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.

“We don't try to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not impacted by online forums.”

“Better to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan concludes.

The Big Question: Has the showrunner Have a Plan for the Finale of Pluribus?

So if Gilligan and his team aren't taking cues by public opinion, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will finally conclude? Essentially yes… sort of.

“We have some potential directions about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a solid concept for a better idea. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we get a better idea and I imagine we will be doing that.”

Then again, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to use as a backup.

“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, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”

Alternatively, why not reference the classics?

“I want Carol to awaken next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.

---

Pluribus can be watched on the streaming service.