The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Discloses He Has a Plan for How His Sci-Fi Series Might Finish... Currently.
The creative mastermind never anticipated that his new science-fiction series would turn into a breakout success. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”
As the debut season of the hit program coming to an end—and Season 2 officially in the works—the creative team reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will impact the storyline of Pluribus.
Regarding the Overwhelming Viewer Reception
Anyone might to get sidetracked by the rampant praise and online debates regarding Pluribus. He is doing his best to steer clear of all that.
“The experience is akin to an endless supply of your favorite dessert and being tickled to death,” he describes. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it anecdotally, and that's intentional. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever plan to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a bottomless pit I know I would fall into and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”
In spite of trying to stay away, there’s no escaping the immensely favorable response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.
“It is not our goal to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not impacted by online forums.”
“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.
The Big Question: Will the creator See the Conclusion of Pluribus?
So if the creative staff aren’t being guided by public opinion, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… with some caveats.
“There are some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” Gilligan reveals. “however, we remain prepared to throw out a decent plan for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we find a more perfect path and I suspect we'll be doing that.”
Then again, if all else fails, director and writer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to use as a backup.
“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and we're in there,” Smith quips, “but no one is buying it.”
Alternatively, one could always use the iconic TV endings?
“My dream is Carol to wake up in bed beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.
Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.
