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The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would turn into a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” he states. “It was unexpected the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”

With the first season of the hit series wrapping up—and a second season greenlit and underway—the writers' room recently discussed the fan response and whether it will shape the narrative path of Pluribus.

Regarding the Incredible Audience Reaction

It would be easy to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and online debates surrounding Pluribus. He is doing his best to steer clear of all that.

“It feels like force fed something incredibly sweet and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's amazing, but I hear about it from others, and that's by design. Not once have I searched for my own name online, nor do I ever want to. Not because I don't care. It's a deep trap I know I would disappear down and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd never leave my living room.”

Despite trying to stay away, there’s no way to avoid the immensely favorable response to the series. The most practical strategy is to accept it graciously and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.

“It is not our goal to tailor anything,” says Alison Tatlock. “The narrative we craft is not impacted by audience chatter.”

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

A Pressing Query: Has Vince Gilligan Have a Plan for the Ending of Pluribus?

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

“There are some potential directions about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan says. “however, we remain prepared to discard a decent plan for a better idea. That has held us in well on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We scrap ideas when we get a better idea and I expect we'll continue doing that.”

On the other hand, if plans fall through, Gordon Smith has a humorous 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,” Smith jokes, “but no one is buying it.”

Alternatively, why mess with the iconic TV endings?

“I'd love for Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan says with a smile.

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Pluribus is currently available on the streaming service.