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The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a cultural phenomenon. “God bless the fans,” Gilligan says. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”

With the first season of the popular series wrapping up—and Season 2 greenlit and underway—the writers' room reflected on the audience reaction and whether it will impact the narrative path of Pluribus.

On the Tremendous Viewer Reception

It would be easy to get swayed by the rampant praise and fan theories about Pluribus. He is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.

“It feels like an endless supply of something incredibly sweet and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I hear about it from others, and that's by design. Not once have I looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a deep trap I know I would fall into and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”

Despite his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the extremely enthusiastic 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 adjust our writing,” says Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not impacted by audience chatter.”

“We prefer to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan concludes.

The Central Mystery: Does the creator Have a Plan for the Ending of Pluribus?

So if Gilligan and his team are not listening by public opinion, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… with some caveats.

“We have some interesting ideas about the ultimate destination,” he states. “but we are always ready to discard a decent plan for a better idea. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we get a better idea and I suspect we'll be doing that.”

Alternatively, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to fall back on.

“I constantly suggest that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and the characters are inside it,” he says humorously, “but no one is buying it.”

Alternatively, one could always use the classics?

“I want Carol to awaken next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.

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Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.