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The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that the Apple TV+ show would become a massive hit. “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.”

With the first season of the hit series wrapping up—and the next chapter already in development—Gilligan and his team reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will shape the future direction of Pluribus.

On the Incredible Viewer Reception

It would be easy to get swayed by the rampant praise and fan theories about Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is making a conscious effort to avoid both.

“It's like being force fed your favorite dessert and being tickled to death,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I get wind of it from others, and that's on purpose. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever intend to. It's quite the opposite. It's a bottomless pit 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.”

Regardless of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to take it in stride and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.

“It is not our goal to adjust our writing,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not influenced by what people are saying.”

“Better to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan adds.

The Big Question: Does the showrunner See the Conclusion of Pluribus?

Considering the creative staff are not listening by fan response, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? Essentially yes… sort of.

“We have some potential directions about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan reveals. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a decent plan for a superior concept. This approach has served us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”

Alternatively, if they hit a wall, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to serve as a last resort.

“My recurring proposal is that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”

Then again, why not reference 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 the streaming service.