Westworld

Westworld follows the events of an entertainment amusement park, where the rich live out their fantasies with the so-called “hosts”. Well the “hosts” aren’t human, but humanoid robots with an artificial consciousness. Basically, there is no law in the park, no consequences for those who visit. There are no limits to the fantasies one chooses. You want to fight in the trenches of World War I while remaining invincible, go right ahead. The name “Westworld” describes the most prominent fantasy portrayed in the show, and that is the Old Wild West. Throughout the show, we see characters and hosts both slowly awaken to their respective realities. Ultimately, the “hosts” resemble human beings to such an extent, leading to questions of our morality and existence.

With an objective eye, the first season of Westworld may have been one of the best first seasons on television. Obviously the show is exhilarating, in its own sense, through its raw emotion displayed by the hosts in each fantasy. It makes the hosts feel real, that they aren’t just toys in a rich man’s playground. The craziness is seeing what humans are capable of when in power of their true fantasies. At first, the timeline of the show is vague and we are unaware of all the characters names. However, if you pay close attention throughout the first few episodes, the amusement park becomes more clear. We see flashbacks to the park opening and then its further success years later. Right then, in the last episode, the show comes to an abrupt stop after utter chaos ensues.

Well that’s where the entertainment comes to a halt. If you look at any ratings regarding both seasons of the show, Season 2 represents an exponential decrease through each of its episodes. I wouldn’t say it is miserable but it is getting to there. Clearly the show writers didn’t know what to use for material as Season 1 closely resembles Michael Crichton 1973 movie called “Westworld”. Season 2 tries to play with the timelines as they did in Season 1, but at times it just isn’t enjoyable to watch because it revolves around one character slowly regaining his memories. I wanted the multiple viewpoints of characters, with multiple focal points to gather information as a viewer, and I was given none of it.

Westworld acts as a quite successful show because of its everlasting curiosity left with the viewer. I ask myself, what does it mean to be human? Technically speaking, we are programmed just like the “hosts”, through our genetic code. Throughout the show, hosts come “awake” and realize the misery they suffer through. When I say  “awake”, I mean it seems that the hosts develop conscious thought. However, was this conscious thought in their programming all along? It begs the question. The topics of mind and matter are also seen, and what it means to have a soul.  Are we just flesh and bone or something more? These are all philosophical questions that no one wants to ask themself because of the lack of plausible answers. This show has it all: theme, tone, character development, and of course action. On top of that the viewer is left asking the tough questions. Overall, I thoroughly enjoy this show and hope for a successful Season 3, which will keep me entertained and curious.

My Rating: 8/10

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 86%

TV.com: 8.6/10