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Vince Gilligan never anticipated that his new science-fiction series would turn into a cultural phenomenon. “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 overjoyed.”

With the first season of the hit program wrapping up—and a second season already in development—the creative team opened up about the viewer reception and whether it will shape the future direction of Pluribus.

On the Overwhelming Viewer Reception

Anyone might to get swayed by the constant speculation and online debates regarding Pluribus. He is doing his best to avoid both.

“The experience is akin to force fed your favorite dessert and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's the greatest thing, but I get wind of it from others, and that's intentional. Never in my life Googled myself, nor do I ever want to. Not because I don't care. It's a deep trap I know I would get lost in and then I'd be living in squalor from Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”

Despite trying to stay away, there’s no escaping the immensely favorable response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to accept it graciously and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.

“We don't try to tailor anything,” says writer and executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not changed by online forums.”

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

A Pressing Query: Does the showrunner Have a Plan for the Conclusion of Pluribus?

Considering Gilligan and his team aren't taking cues by fan response, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? The answer is yes… sort of.

“There are some interesting ideas about where the show might end up,” he states. “but we are always ready to throw out a good idea for a superior concept. That philosophy has guided us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we conceive of something superior and I imagine we will be doing that.”

Then again, if all else fails, executive producer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to fall back on.

“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and that's where they've been all along,” he says humorously, “but no one is buying it.”

Of course, why mess with the legendary finales?

“I'd love for Carol to wake up in bed next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan adds, smiling.

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Pluribus is streaming now on the streaming service.