It ended with a bang.

The HBO hit “Westworld” wrapped up its 10-episode first season on Sunday, and gave the premium cable channel something it has not enjoyed in some time outside of “Game of Thrones”: an ongoing drama with strong ratings, and a ravenous following online.

On Monday, the show’s creators, the husband-and-wife duo of Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, talked to The New York Times about the first season; how online commentary spoiled many of the show’s biggest mysteries weeks ago; and why a second season isn’t likely before 2018. Below are edited excerpts from the conversation.

Long before ‘Westworld’ had its debut there was plenty of talk that the show was in trouble after production shut down last year. Just how vindicated are you feeling at this point?

NOLAN I’ve been working in this business long enough that you’re very careful not to feel vindicated in any moment. When I first moved to L.A., the scuttlebutt was “Titanic” would bring down two studios. Whenever you hear that, my head goes “O.K., they’re trying to do something big and ambitious, I hope it works out.”