Award-Winning Creator Gilligan Himself Shares His Science Fiction Influences Behind His New Series Titled Pluribus
After a long break away from sci-fi storytelling, Vince Gilligan is staging a comeback back to his roots. Starting out with The X-Files Series, in which he wrote three dozen installments, plus even writing the screenplay behind the superhero comedy Hancock, Gilligan has spent recent years immersed in the world from Breaking Bad. Now, with his new Apple TV series Pluribus, he’s coming back home to sci-fi that kicked off his career.
A Secretive Premise with Cryptic Teasers
The plot and concept of Pluribus remain closely guarded. Promotional clips and previews are tantalizingly ambiguous. In one, a short clip depicts a female character by herself in an office after hours nonchalantly taking donuts out of a box labeled “Feel free!” then tasting them before placing them carefully into the box. Critics cannot reveal to disclose anything regarding the series’ explosive first episode, except that the narrative begins as today’s society changes dramatically.
The Creator’s Science Fiction Watchlist
Since specifics on the story or development were off-limits, the showrunner was asked a simple inquiry: What additional science fiction series or movies should viewers watch to prepare before Pluribus?
“Each of the 1956 and 1978 versions from Invasion of the Body Snatchers; that’s an excellent reference point,” Gilligan explains. “The Twilight Zone, that’s forever my favorite. The Thing, John Carpenter's version. I enjoy both versions, but I especially like Carpenter’s take.”
A Love Letter for Science Fiction Enthusiasts
For those who are a fan of sci-fi or horror, you will probably identify the tales that influenced Pluribus. The show’s influences are far from subtle — and that’s exactly the idea. Gilligan notes his aim for the new show was to riff on the genre itself.
“I was thinking of all the science fiction trope and horror conventions I could throw into this show, before turn each one upside down,” Gilligan says. “ That was made me excited.”
In other words: Pluribus serves as a sci-fi show aimed at sci-fi fans. So if you’re coming to it as a Breaking Bad superfan who’s never been much for science fiction, it’s wise to do some preparation in advance. Gilligan just provided the curriculum.
Pluribus debuts November 7 on Apple TV.
