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Vince Gilligan did not foresee that the Apple TV+ show would emerge as a breakout success. “God bless the fans,” he remarks. “I was surprised by the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me thrilled beyond words.”

As the debut season of the popular sci-fi show coming to an end—and a second season greenlit and underway—the writers' room reflected on the fan response and whether it will impact the future direction of Pluribus.

On the Overwhelming Fan Response

One could easily to get swayed by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions surrounding Pluribus. Gilligan, however, is doing his best to steer clear of all that.

“The experience is akin to force fed hot fudge sundaes and being in a state of bliss,” he explains. “It's the greatest thing, but I get wind of it from others, and that's by design. Never in my life looked myself up on the internet, nor do I ever want to. It's quite the opposite. 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 be stuck in my living room.”

Despite Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s it's impossible to ignore the extremely enthusiastic 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 adjust our writing,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not changed by audience chatter.”

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

A Pressing Query: Will Vince Gilligan Know the Conclusion of Pluribus?

Considering the writers are not listening by public opinion, can we assume they have already decided how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… sort of.

“We've developed some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” he states. “however, we remain prepared to abandon a good idea for a superior concept. That has held us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we conceive of something superior and I suspect we'll be doing that.”

Then again, if plans fall through, director and writer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to fall back on.

“I constantly suggest that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll pull back at the end and we're in there,” Smith quips, “but no one is buying it.”

Then again, why mess with the iconic TV endings?

“My dream is Carol to open her eyes beside Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.

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Pluribus can be watched on the streaming service.