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The acclaimed writer-producer never anticipated that Pluribus would emerge as a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” he states. “I was surprised by the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”

With the first season of the hit series wrapping up—and Season 2 officially in the works—the writers' room recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.

About the Tremendous Audience Reaction

One could easily to get swayed by the rampant praise and online debates regarding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to avoid both.

“The experience is akin to an endless supply of your favorite dessert and being tickled to death,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's intentional. I have never searched for my own name online, nor do I ever intend to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a bottomless pit I know I would fall into and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”

In spite of his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to accept it graciously and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.

“It is not our goal to adjust our writing,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not impacted by audience chatter.”

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

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

So if Gilligan and his team aren't taking cues by public opinion, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will finally conclude? Essentially yes… sort of.

“We've developed some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” Gilligan reveals. “but we are always ready to throw out a solid concept for a superior concept. That philosophy has guided us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we find a more perfect path and I expect we'll continue doing that.”

Alternatively, if all else fails, executive producer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to use as a backup.

“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and we're in there,” Smith jokes, “but no one is buying it.”

Alternatively, why not reference the iconic TV endings?

“My dream is Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.

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Pluribus is streaming now on the streaming service.