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The creative mastermind could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would turn into a cultural phenomenon. “God bless the fans,” he remarks. “I was surprised by the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”

Now that Season 1 of the hit program coming to an end—and the next chapter officially in the works—the creative team recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will influence the storyline of Pluribus.

Regarding the Overwhelming Fan Response

Anyone might to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and fan theories regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is striving to avoid both.

“It feels like force fed something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “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 intend 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 Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”

Despite trying to stay away, there’s no way to avoid the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to take it in stride and try not to let it alter the course of the show.

“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not influenced by audience chatter.”

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

A Pressing Query: Has Vince Gilligan Know the Ending of Pluribus?

So if the writers are not listening by audience theories, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? The answer is yes… with some caveats.

“We've developed some potential directions about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “yet we stand ready to discard a decent plan for a better idea. That has held 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, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.

“I constantly suggest that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and that's where they've been all along,” Smith jokes, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”

Then again, why not reference the iconic TV endings?

“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan says with a smile.

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Pluribus is currently available on the streaming service.