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Vince Gilligan did not foresee that Pluribus would turn into a cultural phenomenon. “The viewers have been incredible,” Gilligan says. “It was unexpected the show being as passionately debated as it is, and it makes me deliriously happy.”

As the debut season of the hit series reaching its finale—and the next chapter already in development—the writers' room recently discussed the audience reaction and whether it will impact the storyline of Pluribus.

On the Overwhelming Viewer Reception

One could easily to get sidetracked by the widespread acclaim and online debates about Pluribus. He is striving to steer clear of all that.

“It feels like an endless supply of hot fudge sundaes and being laughing uncontrollably,” he explains. “It's amazing, but I learn of it anecdotally, and that's intentional. Not once have I searched for my own name online, nor do I ever intend to. It's not a lack of interest. It's a deep trap I know I would fall into and then I'd be pooping in a five gallon bucket from Home Depot and I'd be stuck in my living room.”

Regardless of Gilligan’s best intentions, there’s no way to avoid the extremely enthusiastic response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it influence the direction of the show.

“We make no attempt to change the plot,” says Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not impacted by what people are saying.”

“Better to keep our heads down and working,” he chimes in.

The Central Mystery: Will the showrunner Know the Conclusion of Pluribus?

So if the writers aren’t being guided by public opinion, does that mean they already know how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? In short yes… with some caveats.

“We've developed some interesting ideas about how the story could conclude,” Gilligan reveals. “but we are always ready to discard a decent plan for a more brilliant plan. That has held us in excellent shape 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 all else fails, Gordon Smith has a humorous idea to serve as a last resort.

“I keep pitching that it's all in a snow globe, and that we'll zoom out in the finale and we're in there,” Smith quips, “but no one is buying it.”

Then again, why mess with the legendary finales?

“I want Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan adds, smiling.

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Pluribus is streaming now on the streaming service.