Westworld

[polkablues]

Unless the plan is for them to evolve souls or something like that.

I can't imagine that not being part of the plan.
Or at least getting them close enough for us to question what a soul is.

I mean, I'm pretty sure that's the core of the series' theme: at what point does a simulation of consciousness become consciousness?

Side note, but I want to single out my favorite bit of the episode, when Hopkins was drinking with the old-timer robot down in the basement. I don't know what magic combination of performance, makeup, and CGI they used to create that effect, but I thought it was amazing. The most perfect representation of the Uncanny Valley I've ever seen.

[diggler]

Side note, but I want to single out my favorite bit of the episode, when Hopkins was drinking with the old-timer robot down in the basement. I don't know what magic combination of performance, makeup, and CGI they used to create that effect, but I thought it was amazing. The most perfect representation of the Uncanny Valley I've ever seen.

That was my favorite scene as well, those movements were remarkable.

I think making the gunslinger character human was a stroke of genius. We're going into this thinking it's a robots gone bad scenario and they've switched the protagonists on us. I'm a little curious about what the outside world is like but I hope this doesn't become a Lost style mystery box. There's plenty to work with story wise without going there. I do have a lot of questions about how the guests don't harm each other or about how bullets work but rather than think about them as plotholes i'd like to think of them as interesting aspects to explore.

[©brad]

Hmm I feel like this needs a better director.

I like the premise and agree this has a lot of potential. Right now it lacks a unique visual point of view. You watch the pilots for Breaking Bad, Mr. Robot, and GoT and they immediately imbue a distinct style that feels grand and different. This feels like CBS doing HBO. I'm not entirely sold on Nolan's direction, who moves the camera like a film student using cranes and dolly shots for the first time. Also the music is banal and unimaginative.

I'm definitely excited to see where it goes though.

[Jeremy Blackman]

SPOILS

Okay, so it seems obvious in retrospect (and from other reviews I've heard) that Ed Harris is a human visitor. He returns time and time again so he can rape ERW. And now he's going rogue. So that kind of dissolves the one mystery element for me. But his character could still be very interesting. Like a very twisted audience surrogate — we follow him as he discovers the inner workings of Westworld and maybe uncovers secrets etc.

[polkablues]

He's like one of those guys who still plays Super Mario 64 just to find all the hidden glitches.

[cronopio2]

[Jeremy Blackman]

Just want to say I'm completely on board. The second episode seemed to answer most of my criticisms, and from there it's been enjoyable to watch.

Not sure if this is going to achieve its full potential as a crazy mystery show. I'm moderating my expectations. But I would love it if some of the theories are true (especially those about separate timelines).

Read It And Weep has a very good/fun episode on the series:

http://read-weep.com/#!/episode.php/westworld

[Jeremy Blackman]

Westworld actors are getting uncomfortable...

In an unusual move, SAG-AFTRA has notified members that they have the right to withdraw from scenes requiring nudity or participation in “graphic sexual situations” on the set of HBO’s “Westworld.”

http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/sag-aftra-westworld-explicit-scenes-1201605884/


This is an excerpt from the original contract:

"By accepting this Project assignment, you may be required to do any of the following: appear fully nude; wear a pubic hair patch; perform genital-to-genital touching; have your genitals painted; simulate oral sex with hand-to-genital touching; contort to form a table-like shape while being fully nude; pose on all fours while others who are fully nude ride on your back; ride on someone’s back while you are both fully nude; and other assorted acts the Project may require."

[RegularKarate]

spoilers!

[Drenk]

Westworld actors are getting uncomfortable...

In an unusual move, SAG-AFTRA has notified members that they have the right to withdraw from scenes requiring nudity or participation in “graphic sexual situations” on the set of HBO’s “Westworld.”

http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/sag-aftra-westworld-explicit-scenes-1201605884/


This is an excerpt from the original contract:

"By accepting this Project assignment, you may be required to do any of the following: appear fully nude; wear a pubic hair patch; perform genital-to-genital touching; have your genitals painted; simulate oral sex with hand-to-genital touching; contort to form a table-like shape while being fully nude; pose on all fours while others who are fully nude ride on your back; ride on someone’s back while you are both fully nude; and other assorted acts the Project may require."

This HBO trend is ridiculous; I don't watch Westworld, but I'm always embarrassed by GoT's definition of sex: silly clean soft-porn. Did it begin with True Blood? At least, Alan Ball intended that show to be satiric.

[Neil]

Spoils.

I've been trying to think about other shows/films that use multiple time lines at the same time, but don't state it outright that you're viewing it as such. I find it to be a very interesting way to tell this particular story. Friend of mine showed me the following photo, along with some logo comparisons that seem to imply the passing of time.

[Jeremy Blackman]

It does seem even clearer now that there are multiple timelines. And that the guy adventuring with Dolores is the man in black, which I guess has been obvious for 2 or 3 episodes. There was a specific detail about his marriage in this last ep that makes this a perfect match.

Here's what confuses me, though. We see the behind-the-scenes operations side on a single timeline. Throughout this season, they've commented on specific hosts' misbehavior, interviewed them after key events, or even intervened directly. Was half of that really complete misdirection, and does it even hold together?

Robert Ford said something that should theoretically help us with that — He said that hosts will now and again go astray, i.e. it's been an ongoing thing. Still, I can't imagine things line up properly. If they do, this is a truly brilliant show.

[RegularKarate]

Yeah, the multiple timelines thing seemed really far fetched when I first heard it suggested a few episodes ago, but at this point it seems pretty clear.
I think it's possible that William being the Man in Black is misdirection, but there are definitely multiple timelines.
I just hope people stop talking about the fucking maze. It's got JJ Abrams stink all over it.

[Jeremy Blackman]

They seemed to define the maze a little more clearly in the last episode. I don't remember who delivered that line, but it kinda sounds like it might end up being a metaphor (for becoming conscious). Hopefully not.

[Tictacbk]

And then everyone rewatched the entire season.