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The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that Pluribus would emerge as a breakout success. “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.”

As the debut season of the acclaimed series coming to an end—and a second season greenlit and underway—the writers' room reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will shape the future direction of Pluribus.

On the Incredible Fan Response

It would be easy to get swayed by the rampant praise and online debates surrounding Pluribus. He is making a conscious effort to avoid both.

“It feels like an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he says. “It's wonderful, but I hear about it from others, 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 get lost in and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from Home Depot and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”

Despite his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.

“We don't try to tailor anything,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not changed by online forums.”

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

A Pressing Query: Does the showrunner See the Conclusion of Pluribus?

Given that the creative staff are not listening by audience theories, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… with some caveats.

“We've developed some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a good idea for a better idea. This approach has served us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we conceive of something superior and I imagine we will be doing that.”

On the other hand, if plans fall through, Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to use as a backup.

“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and we're in there,” Smith jokes, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”

Alternatively, why mess with the iconic TV endings?

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

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Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV+.