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The creative mastermind never anticipated that the Apple TV+ show would become a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he remarks. “It was unexpected the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”

Now that Season 1 of the popular sci-fi show reaching its finale—and the next chapter already in development—Gilligan and his team recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will impact the storyline of Pluribus.

On the Tremendous Fan Response

One could easily to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. He is doing his best to steer clear of all that.

“It's like being an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's amazing, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's by design. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever intend to. Not because I don't care. It's a rabbit hole I know I would get lost in and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from the hardware store and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”

Despite his concerted efforts, there’s no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.

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

“Better to keep our focus on the work,” he chimes in.

The Big Question: Will Vince Gilligan See the Ending of Pluribus?

So if Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by audience theories, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… in a way.

“There are some interesting ideas about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a good idea for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we find a more perfect path and I imagine we will be doing that.”

On the other hand, if they hit a wall, executive producer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to fall back on.

“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and we're in there,” he says humorously, “but no one is buying it.”

Of course, why mess with the classics?

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

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Pluribus is streaming now on Apple TV.