The acclaimed writer-producer never anticipated that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he remarks. “It was unexpected the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
With the first season of the popular series wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—Gilligan and his team recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.
It would be easy to get sidetracked by the rampant praise and audience predictions regarding Pluribus. The creator is doing his best to avoid both.
“It's like being force fed something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I learn of it through word of mouth, and that's by design. Never in my life searched for my own name online, nor do I ever want to. Not because I don't care. 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 Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no escaping the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“It is not our goal to tailor anything,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not impacted by what people are saying.”
“Better to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan concludes.
Considering Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by public opinion, does it imply they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… sort of.
“We have some potential directions about how the story could conclude,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to throw out a solid concept for a more brilliant plan. That has held 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 imagine we will be doing that.”
Then again, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to fall back on.
“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and the characters are inside it,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”
Then again, one could always use the legendary finales?
“I'd love for Carol to wake up in bed beside Bob Newhart,” he jokes.
Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV+.
Elara is a seasoned writer and digital storyteller with a passion for exploring diverse literary genres and empowering others through words.
