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The creative mastermind could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would emerge as a massive hit. “God bless the fans,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”

With the first season of the popular program wrapping up—and a second season already in development—Gilligan and his team recently discussed the audience reaction and whether it will impact the future direction of Pluribus.

On the Incredible Audience Reaction

It would be easy to get distracted by the rampant praise and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is striving to steer clear of all that.

“It's like being constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it from others, and that's on purpose. Never in my life Googled myself, nor do I ever intend to. Not because I don't care. It's a rabbit hole I know I would fall into and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”

In spite of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.

“It is not our goal to adjust our writing,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not influenced by online forums.”

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

The Big Question: Will Vince Gilligan Know the Conclusion of Pluribus?

Given that the writers are not listening by fan response, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… with some caveats.

“We've developed some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” he states. “yet we stand ready to discard a solid concept for a superior concept. This approach has served us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”

Alternatively, if all else fails, director and writer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to serve as a last resort.

“I keep pitching that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “but no one is buying it.”

Alternatively, one could always use the classics?

“I want Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.

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Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV.