The Showrunner Discloses He Has an Idea of How His Sci-Fi Series Will Conclude... For Now.

The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that the Apple TV+ show would turn into a cultural phenomenon. “The viewers have been incredible,” he states. “It was unexpected the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”

Now that Season 1 of the hit program coming to an end—and a second season greenlit and underway—the creative team reflected on the fan response and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.

On the Incredible Viewer Reception

One could easily to get distracted by the rampant praise and fan theories regarding Pluribus. He is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.

“It feels like force fed your favorite dessert and being laughing uncontrollably,” he describes. “It's amazing, but I hear about it from others, and that's intentional. Not once have I searched for my own name online, nor do I ever intend to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a rabbit hole I know I would disappear down and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”

Regardless of trying to stay away, there’s no escaping the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The most practical strategy is to accept it graciously and try not to let it alter the course of the show.

“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not impacted by audience chatter.”

“It's wiser to keep our noses to the grindstone,” he chimes in.

A Pressing Query: Has the showrunner Have a Plan for the Ending of Pluribus?

Given that Gilligan and his team aren't taking cues by public opinion, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? The answer is yes… in a way.

“There are some interesting ideas about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan reveals. “yet we stand ready to abandon a decent plan for a superior concept. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”

Alternatively, if all else fails, Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.

“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and we're in there,” Smith jokes, “but no one is buying it.”

Of course, one could always use the iconic TV endings?

“My dream is Carol to awaken next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.

Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.