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The acclaimed writer-producer could not have predicted that Pluribus would emerge as a cultural phenomenon. “God bless the fans,” he remarks. “I did not foresee the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”

Now that Season 1 of the acclaimed sci-fi show coming to an end—and Season 2 already in development—the writers' room recently discussed the viewer reception and whether it will influence the storyline of Pluribus.

On the Incredible Audience Reaction

One could easily to get swayed by the rampant praise and audience predictions about Pluribus. The creator is doing his best to steer clear of all that.

“It feels like constantly eating your favorite dessert and being laughing uncontrollably,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I hear about it through word of mouth, and that's on purpose. Not once have I searched for my own name online, nor do I ever plan to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a rabbit hole I know I would disappear down and then I'd be never leaving the house from the hardware store and I'd rarely emerge from my living room.”

Despite his concerted efforts, there’s it's impossible to ignore the overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The only approach for the writers is to accept it graciously and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.

“It is not our goal to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “Our storytelling is not influenced by online forums.”

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

A Pressing Query: Does Vince Gilligan See the Finale of Pluribus?

So if the writers aren't taking cues by public opinion, can we assume they already know how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? The answer is yes… with some caveats.

“We have some compelling concepts about where the show might end up,” Gilligan reveals. “but we are always ready to abandon a good idea for a superior concept. That philosophy has guided us in good stead on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we find a more perfect path and I imagine we will be doing that.”

On the other hand, if plans fall through, executive producer Gordon Smith has a pretty funny idea to fall back on.

“I keep pitching that the entire story is inside a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and the characters are inside it,” Smith jokes, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”

Then again, one could always use the classics?

“I'd love for Carol to awaken next to Bob Newhart,” Gilligan says with a smile.

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Pluribus can be watched on Apple TV.