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The creative mastermind did not foresee that Pluribus would emerge as a cultural phenomenon. “The viewers have been incredible,” he states. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”

With the first season of the popular series coming to an end—and Season 2 greenlit and underway—Gilligan and his team recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.

On the Overwhelming Audience Reaction

Anyone might to get sidetracked by the rampant praise and audience predictions about Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is striving to steer clear of all that.

“The experience is akin to an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's by design. I have never looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever plan to. It's quite the opposite. It's a deep trap I know I would fall into and then I'd be living in squalor from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”

In spite of trying to stay away, there’s no escaping the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.

“It is not our goal to tailor anything,” says Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not changed by online forums.”

“It's wiser to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan concludes.

A Pressing Query: Does the creator See the Ending of Pluribus?

Considering Gilligan and his team are not listening by public opinion, does it imply they already know how Pluribus will finally conclude? In short yes… in a way.

“We have some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” he states. “yet we stand ready to discard a solid concept for a better idea. That has held 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.”

Alternatively, if all else fails, director and writer Gordon Smith has a rather amusing idea to use as a backup.

“I constantly suggest that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and that's where they've been all along,” Smith quips, “but no one is buying it.”

Of course, why not reference the iconic TV endings?

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

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Pluribus is streaming now on the streaming service.