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The creative mastermind did not foresee that Pluribus would emerge as a cultural phenomenon. “I am so grateful to the audience,” Gilligan says. “I was surprised by the show being as widely discussed as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”

As the debut season of the popular program wrapping up—and a second season already in development—the writers' room reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will impact the future direction of Pluribus.

On the Overwhelming Audience Reaction

One could easily to get swayed by the widespread acclaim and audience predictions regarding Pluribus. The creator is striving to ignore the noise.

“It feels like force fed hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's wonderful, but I learn of it from others, and that's by design. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever plan to. It's quite the opposite. It's a rabbit hole I know I would get lost in and then I'd be never leaving the house from Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”

Despite Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no way to avoid 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 alter the course of the show.

“We don't try to change the plot,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not impacted by audience chatter.”

“It's wiser to keep our noses to the grindstone,” he chimes in.

The Central Mystery: Does the showrunner Know the Ending of Pluribus?

Given that Gilligan and his team aren’t being guided by audience theories, does that mean they have already decided how Pluribus will ultimately end? In short yes… in a way.

“There are some interesting ideas about the ultimate destination,” he states. “yet we stand ready to abandon a decent plan for a better idea. That has held us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We change course when we find a more perfect path and I suspect we'll be doing that.”

On the other hand, if all else fails, director and writer Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to use as a backup.

“My recurring proposal is that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and the characters are inside it,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”

Alternatively, one could always use the legendary finales?

“I want Carol to wake up in bed with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.

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Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV.