The 'Breaking Bad' Creator Reveals He Knows How His Sci-Fi Series Will End... At the Moment.

The creative mastermind could not have predicted that his new science-fiction series would turn into a cultural phenomenon. “The viewers have been incredible,” he remarks. “I did not foresee the show being as talked about as it is, and it makes me overjoyed.”

As the debut season of the popular program reaching its finale—and a second season already in development—the writers' room reflected on the viewer reception and whether it will influence the narrative path of Pluribus.

About the Tremendous Audience Reaction

One could easily to get distracted by the rampant praise and fan theories about Pluribus. He is striving to ignore the noise.

“It feels like force fed hot fudge sundaes and being tickled to death,” he says. “It's the greatest thing, but I learn of it from others, and that's by design. Not once have I Googled myself, nor do I ever intend to. It's quite the opposite. It's a rabbit hole I know I would get lost in 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 overwhelmingly positive response to the series. The best he and his team can do is to acknowledge it humbly and try not to let it dictate the story of the show.

“It is not our goal to change the plot,” says co-executive producer Alison Tatlock. “The plot we develop is not influenced by online forums.”

“Better to keep our heads down and working,” Gilligan adds.

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

Given that the creative staff aren’t being guided by fan response, does that mean they have mapped out how Pluribus will reach its endpoint? Essentially yes… sort of.

“We've developed some compelling concepts about the ultimate destination,” Gilligan says. “but we are always ready to throw out a solid concept for a better idea. This approach has served us in excellent shape on Better Call Saul and on Breaking Bad even before that. We throw stuff out when we get a better idea 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 use as a backup.

“My recurring proposal is that everything takes place within a snow globe, and that we'll reveal the snow globe and we're in there,” Smith quips, “though the idea hasn't gained traction.”

Alternatively, why not reference the classics?

“I want Carol to open her eyes with Bob Newhart there,” Gilligan says with a smile.

Pluribus is currently available on Apple TV+.