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Vince Gilligan could not have predicted that the Apple TV+ show would turn into a breakout success. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “I did not foresee the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”

With the first season of the acclaimed sci-fi show reaching its finale—and the next chapter greenlit and underway—Gilligan and his team reflected on the fan response and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.

On the Overwhelming Viewer Reception

One could easily to get sidetracked by the constant speculation and fan theories about Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to steer clear of all that.

“It's like being constantly eating hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's wonderful, but I get wind of it anecdotally, and that's by design. I have never Googled myself, nor do I ever want to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a deep trap I know I would get lost in and then I'd be living in squalor 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 extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.

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

“We prefer to keep our noses to the grindstone,” Gilligan adds.

A Pressing Query: Does the creator Know the Finale of Pluribus?

Given that the writers are not listening by public opinion, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? Essentially yes… in a way.

“There are some potential directions about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to abandon a decent plan for a superior concept. This approach has served us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we get a better idea and I imagine we will be doing that.”

Then again, if plans fall through, Gordon Smith has a humorous 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 we're in there,” he says humorously, “but no one is buying it.”

Alternatively, why not reference the legendary finales?

“I'd love for Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” he jokes.

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Pluribus can be watched on the streaming service.