The Showrunner Discloses He Has a Plan for How His Sci-Fi Series Will Conclude... Currently.

The creative mastermind did not foresee that the Apple TV+ show would turn into a breakout success. “The viewers have been incredible,” he states. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”

With the first season of the popular program wrapping up—and a second season officially in the works—the creative team recently discussed the fan response and whether it will impact the storyline of Pluribus.

On the Tremendous Audience Reaction

It would be easy to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to avoid both.

“It's like being constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I learn of it through word of mouth, and that's on purpose. Never in my life searched for my own name online, 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 be stuck in my living room.”

Despite Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no escaping the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The most practical strategy is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.

“We don't try to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not influenced by audience chatter.”

“Better to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.

The Big Question: Does the creator Have a Plan for the Ending of Pluribus?

So if the writers aren’t being guided by public opinion, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? Essentially yes… in a way.

“We've developed some potential directions about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan reveals. “but we are always ready to discard a solid concept for a better idea. This approach has served us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we conceive of something superior and I imagine we will be doing that.”

Then again, if plans fall through, executive producer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to use as a backup.

“I constantly suggest that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “but no one is buying it.”

Alternatively, why mess with the iconic TV endings?

“My dream is Carol to wake up in bed with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.

Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV.