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The acclaimed writer-producer did not foresee that the Apple TV+ show would emerge as a breakout success. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”

With the first season of the hit program reaching its finale—and the next chapter officially in the works—Gilligan and his team opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will influence the storyline of Pluribus.

About the Incredible Fan Response

One could easily to get sidetracked by the constant speculation and online debates surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is striving to avoid both.

“The experience is akin to force fed your favorite dessert and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I get wind of it from others, and that's on purpose. I have never Googled myself, nor do I ever plan to. It's quite the opposite. It's a rabbit hole I know I would disappear down and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”

Despite his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to accept it graciously and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.

“We don't try to tailor anything,” says Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not impacted by what people are saying.”

“Better to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan adds.

The Big Question: Has the creator Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?

So if Gilligan and his team aren't taking cues by audience theories, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will finally conclude? The answer is yes… with some caveats.

“We've developed some potential directions about where the show might end up,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to abandon a good idea 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.”

Alternatively, if plans fall through, executive producer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to use as a backup.

“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”

Alternatively, why not reference the legendary finales?

“I want Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.

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Pluribus is streaming now on the streaming service.