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The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that Pluribus would become a massive hit. “The viewers have been incredible,” he remarks. “I did not foresee the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”

As the debut season of the popular sci-fi show wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—Gilligan and his team opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.

On the Incredible Fan Response

One could easily to get distracted by the rampant praise and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. He is making a conscious effort to steer clear of all that.

“The experience is akin to force fed something incredibly sweet and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I hear about it anecdotally, and that's intentional. 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 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.”

Regardless of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no escaping the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The most practical strategy is to accept it graciously and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.

“We make no attempt to adjust our writing,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not impacted by audience chatter.”

“We prefer to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan adds.

The Central Mystery: Will the creator See the Ending of Pluribus?

Considering the writers aren't taking cues by audience theories, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… with some caveats.

“We've developed some compelling concepts about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to throw out a decent plan for a more brilliant plan. That has held us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we conceive of something superior and I expect we'll continue doing that.”

Alternatively, if all else fails, Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to fall back on.

“My recurring proposal is that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and that's where they've been all along,” Smith jokes, “but nobody's taking me up on that.”

Of course, one could always use the classics?

“My dream is Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.

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Pluribus is streaming now on the streaming service.