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The creative mastermind never anticipated that his new science-fiction series would become a massive hit. “God bless the fans,” he states. “It was unexpected the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”

Now that Season 1 of the popular series coming to an end—and a second season already in development—the writers' room opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will influence the future direction of Pluribus.

Regarding the Overwhelming Audience Reaction

Anyone might to get swayed by the constant speculation and fan theories about Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to ignore the noise.

“The experience is akin to force fed hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I hear about it from others, and that's intentional. I have never searched for my own name online, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a bottomless pit I know I would disappear down and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd be stuck in my living room.”

Despite his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it alter the course of the show.

“We make no attempt to adjust our writing,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not influenced by audience chatter.”

“It's wiser to keep our focus on the work,” Gilligan adds.

The Big Question: Has the showrunner See the Finale of Pluribus?

So if Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by public opinion, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… in a way.

“We've developed some potential directions about how the story could conclude,” he states. “yet we stand ready to discard a good idea for a better idea. That philosophy has guided us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we conceive of something superior and I expect we'll continue doing that.”

Then again, if all else fails, executive producer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to serve as a last resort.

“I constantly suggest that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and the characters are inside it,” Smith jokes, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”

Of course, one could always use the classics?

“My dream is Carol to wake up in bed beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.

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Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV+.