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The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would become a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “I was surprised by the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”

As the debut season of the hit sci-fi show reaching its finale—and a second season officially in the works—Gilligan and his team recently discussed the fan response and whether it will influence the future direction of Pluribus.

Regarding the Overwhelming Fan Response

It would be easy to get distracted by the constant speculation and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to avoid both.

“The experience is akin to force fed something incredibly sweet and being in a state of bliss,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I get wind of it anecdotally, and that's on purpose. Never in my life Googled myself, nor do I ever want to. Not because I don't care. It's a bottomless pit I know I would disappear down and then I'd be living in squalor from Home Depot and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”

In spite of trying to stay away, 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 tailor anything,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not impacted by audience chatter.”

“Better to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan concludes.

The Big Question: Does the showrunner Know the Ending of Pluribus?

So if the writers aren’t being guided by audience theories, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… in a way.

“We have some potential directions about the ultimate destination,” he states. “yet we stand ready to abandon a good idea for a better idea. 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 conceive of something superior and I imagine we will be doing that.”

Then again, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to fall back on.

“I constantly suggest that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and the characters are inside it,” Smith quips, “but no one is buying it.”

Alternatively, why mess with the classics?

“I want Carol to awaken beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.

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Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV+.