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The creative mastermind did not foresee that his new science-fiction series would turn into a breakout success. “I am so grateful to the audience,” he states. “I did not foresee the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”

With the first season of the hit program reaching its finale—and a second season officially in the works—the creative team opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will influence the storyline of Pluribus.

On the Tremendous Viewer Reception

Anyone might to get distracted by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions about Pluribus. The creator is making a conscious effort to avoid both.

“It's like being force fed something incredibly sweet and being tickled to death,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I get wind of it through word of mouth, and that's on purpose. Not once have I looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a rabbit hole I know I would fall into and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”

Despite Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s it's impossible to ignore the immensely favorable response to the series. The most practical strategy is to take it in stride and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.

“We make no attempt to tailor anything,” says Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by what people are saying.”

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

The Central Mystery: Will Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?

So if the writers are not listening by audience theories, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… with some caveats.

“We've developed some interesting ideas about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan reveals. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a solid concept for a more brilliant plan. That philosophy has guided us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we get a better idea and I suspect we'll be doing that.”

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

“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and the characters are inside it,” Smith quips, “but no one is buying it.”

Of course, why mess with the classics?

“I want Carol to open her eyes next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.

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Pluribus is currently available on the streaming service.