Westworld (HBO) Discussion Thread

[Huntn]

Plot spoilers

Indifference.

I think Westworld never truly found it's footing - not even in season one - just that the cast and production values carried it for a while. I'll be very surprised if they make it to season 4.

Opinions about stories such as this one are understandable and expected. Frequently, we don’t agree on what entertains us, so I have no issue with your opinion although I see things differently. Finding it’s footing, to me means the story was not enjoyable, did not solidify and was not personally entertaining, which is ok.

For myself, the premise is intriguing and the execution of the premise through season 2 has been excellent. Androids (Hosts) possessing enough intelligence to pass a Turing test, programmed to react in a human manner, with installed motivations, and existing in a living dream, that is erased on a regular basis, but vestiges of those experiences are retained. This becomes especially important with the realization that this story is not about just a breakdown of AI, but it’s AI that is being manipulated by at least one human being with an agenda. Season 1 is the unraveling, season 2 is the revolution part 1.

Behind the scenes there is arguably a malevolent force (Dr Ford) who has hidden the true capabilities of these androids, inserting coding with his own agenda. The question becomes, what does upper level management know about true potential and capabilities of the Hosts?

Within the park, several Hosts are able to establish new motivations, and act on them, formulating plans to achieve those goals. Others are just followers, possibly lacking distinct motivations regarding freedom, and just doing what they are told to do. The huge reveal is when the audience becomes aware of the true intellectual potential of the Hosts when Bernard is revealed to be... not human.

In addition, a big hint was dropped at the beginning of the series is that there is a lot more going on at Westworld in the words of management, than just entertaining rich ass holes.

I’ve really enjoyed the first two seasons, just renewed my HBO subscription, and am starting at the beginning. Watched Season 1, episodes 1-3 last night. It will be interesting to get into Season 3 and see where this story takes us, with the realization that at some point I might be disappointed, let’s see.
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With only eight episodes this season, the storytelling is tighter and more straightforward, and the pace is faster. The production values remain high.

With Devs airing simulataneously, it's a good time for those who wish to explore the concept of determinism though their entertainment.

Where are you watching Devs?

 

[Huntn]

Just finished Season 1 second time through. On the spectrum of story telling, this is on the brilliant end. The Corporation and Board of Directors stands opposite to Dr. Ford creator of the park. Somewhere early in the plot Theresa, head of QA, tells Seizmore, the narrative writer, that the Corporation’s interest go far beyond entertaining rich *******s. 😃



Season 1 Spoilers
Although there is a caveat of a brain with more computational power than a human, there is a pretty good basis to make the argument for consciousness, especially when you let the hosts think, and make decisions they are faced with, even if it is supposed to be within a narrow range. They have all the senses, including experiencing pleasure, that their brains experience. And the idea that they have wants, desires and are allowed to feel pain, remorse or sadness, even if it's programmed, and are given motivations to play out a story adds to this argument. The question becomes, are they play acting emotions, or do they really experience these feelings?

I'm trying to make a comparison to biological computers (brains), we have the same things, but it boils down to how able they are to turn off or on those feelings. We come to terms with such feelings, and an argument can be made if it's easier for them to turn those off or on, are they artificial or sociopaths? I'm sure there is a morals aspect that is tied into each host along with how they react to negative feelings, and how much leeway their brains are given to react.

At the end of Season 1 we find out they have much more capability and capacity than anyone thought they had, Bernard is the evidence of this as Ford has given at least 2 of the hosts the same capabilities Bernard has which seems to be just an adjustment of settings.

 

[TheIntruder]

Where are you watching Devs?

Devs is on Hulu, part of the "FX on Hulu" content that Disney has shifted from FX to try to promote Hulu.

 

[Huntn]

Devs is on Hulu, part of the "FX on Hulu" content that Disney has shifted from FX to try to promote Hulu.

To buy another subscription. 🤔

 

[TheIntruder]

To buy another subscription. 🤔

While I enjoy the work of Alex Garland (and Andrew Niccol) I don't know I'd subscribe just for one show.

Getting back to Westworld, Vincent Cassel is perfectly cast in S03.

 

[Huntn]

While I enjoy the work of Alex Garland (and Andrew Niccol) I don't know I'd subscribe just for one show.

Getting back to Westworld, Vincent Cassel is perfectly cast in S03.

I will subscribe for a single month to watch the latest seasons of certain shows.

I’m currently working my way though Season 2. Early on S2 it is revealed that several (many?) of the Hosts have been exposed to modern civilization and with the benefit of their memories, they are not working completely in the dark. One of the most significant story angles is that the evolution of the Hosts is not something that just happened, where technology gets away from the human overlords. Instead the Hosts have been given significant help.

 

[Huntn]

Continued progress rewatching Season 2 up to episode 6. Keep in mind I have not yet viewed any of Season 3.

These are good summary articles, the first involves William’s pitch to Delos about the value of the Park regarding mining of human data, including DNA, think Facebook on steroids. And the second article covers the entire Season 2.

Compared to the original Michael Crichton book, this added element is brilliant, one of the rare examples where a reboot of a series is better than the original. Another example would be Battlestar Galactica, but was that a reboot or a sequel? I forget.

At first I assumed the intellectual property Charlotte Hale was trying to smuggle out of the park was Ford’s Host data, but I now realize it was human guest data that has been gathered at the Forge. The Cradle (server) handles Host management in the Park and the Forge (server) handles gathered guest data along with DNA samples of the guests. Both of these servers end up being destroyed.

My question is how involved was Ford with Delos Corporation‘s effort to mine human data? It seems he had his fingers in everything. This corruption of Ford and Arnold’s Park at the hands of William and Delos Corporation seems to be the answer as to why Ford sabotaged the Park with his final narrative. And we know Bernard had previously been to the Forge and killed the Drones, based on a flashback, I assume at Ford’s command. It’s also interesting that Ford chose the same path out as his partner Arnold, but did he and what was the path?

Hence, an intriguing aspect of the story are the attempts to replicate James Delos into a Host body, I assume at the Forge and the repeated failure. it seems that Host personalities can be created without issue, but transitioning a human mind over to a Host status faces unresolved challenges, at least in the case of Delos.

What about Bernard? Is Bernard an approximation of Arnold crafted by Ford, or is he the successful transference of Arnold’s intellect using the same process that failed with James Delos? And Delores makes several references of Arnold talking to her. Also Ford makes an appearance later in Season 2 to Bernard as the piano player at the Sweetwater Saloon. Has Ford successfully transferred his intellect into Host/AI status? In any case, some brilliant writing going on here, that is if you like the genre.

Westworld Spoilers Club season 2, episode 2: Reunion

Westworld’s latest episode reveals what the park was really built for

The second episode of the season drops subtle clues with big ramifications

www.theverge.com

‘Westworld’ Season 3 Is Here. Wait, What Happened in Season 2

‘Westworld’ Season 3 Is Here. Wait, What Happened in Season 2? (Published 2020)

It’s been a while since the last season finale, and the details were a little fuzzy the first time around. Here’s some help before the start of Season 3.

www.nytimes.com

 

[ritmomundo]

Continued progress rewatching Season 2 up to episode 6. Keep in mind I have not yet viewed any of Season 3.

These are good summary articles, the first involves William’s pitch to Delos about the value of the Park regarding mining of human data, including DNA, think Facebook on steroids. And the second article covers the entire Season 2.

Compared to the original Michael Crichton book, this added element is brilliant, one of the rare examples where a reboot of a series is better than the original. Another example would be Battlestar Galactica, but was that a reboot or a sequel? I forget.

At first I assumed the intellectual property Charlotte Hale was trying to smuggle out of the park was Ford’s Host data, but I now realize it was human guest data that has been gathered at the Forge. The Cradle (server) handles Host management in the Park and the Forge (server) handles gathered guest data along with DNA samples of the guests. Both of these servers end up being destroyed.

My question is how involved was Ford with Delos Corporation‘s effort to mine human data? It seems he had his fingers in everything. This corruption of Ford and Arnold’s Park at the hands of William and Delos Corporation seems to be the answer as to why Ford sabotaged the Park with his final narrative. And we know Bernard had previously been to the Forge and killed the Drones, based on a flashback, I assume at Ford’s command. It’s also interesting that Ford chose the same path out as his partner Arnold, but did he and what was the path?

Hence, an intriguing aspect of the story are the attempts to replicate James Delos into a Host body, I assume at the Forge and the repeated failure. it seems that Host personalities can be created without issue, but transitioning a human mind over to a Host status faces unresolved challenges, at least in the case of Delos.

What about Bernard? Is Bernard an approximation of Arnold crafted by Ford, or is he the successful transference of Arnold’s intellect using the same process that failed with James Delos? And Delores makes several references of Arnold talking to her. Also Ford makes an appearance later in Season 2 to Bernard as the piano player at the Sweetwater Saloon. Has Ford successfully transferred his intellect into Host/AI status? In any case, some brilliant writing going on here, that is if you like the genre.

Westworld Spoilers Club season 2, episode 2: Reunion

Westworld’s latest episode reveals what the park was really built for

The second episode of the season drops subtle clues with big ramifications

www.theverge.com

‘Westworld’ Season 3 Is Here. Wait, What Happened in Season 2

‘Westworld’ Season 3 Is Here. Wait, What Happened in Season 2? (Published 2020)

It’s been a while since the last season finale, and the details were a little fuzzy the first time around. Here’s some help before the start of Season 3.

www.nytimes.com

Reading your post about rewatching this show reminds me of Mission Impossible (the 1996 movie), in the sense that each rewatch offered me greater clarity. Subtle hints that I'd missed even on second or third watches. I think that was the first movie that really did that for me, and I ended up enjoying it more each time. Here, Hale alludes to her intention to retrieve guest data several times in s1, but we have no idea exactly what it is until after s2 and you go back and rewatch s1 and have that 'ohh' moment. I think even Theresa was in the dark about it not being host data. S3 peels back the onion further.

As for Ford and his involvement with Delos' project, my impression was that he didn't have much to do with it other than the covert activities you mentioned. But he did use his knowledge of it as leverage against the board to keep him in charge of the park.

Arnold died before Delos was involved in the park. So Bernard is the former of your guesses.. an approximation of Arnold based on Ford's memory of him and Dolores' numerous experiences with him.

 

[Huntn]

Reading your post about rewatching this show reminds me of Mission Impossible (the 1996 movie), in the sense that each rewatch offered me greater clarity. Subtle hints that I'd missed even on second or third watches. I think that was the first movie that really did that for me, and I ended up enjoying it more each time. Here, Hale alludes to her intention to retrieve guest data several times in s1, but we have no idea exactly what it is until after s2 and you go back and rewatch s1 and have that 'ohh' moment. I think even Theresa was in the dark about it not being host data. S3 peels back the onion further.

As for Ford and his involvement with Delos' project, my impression was that he didn't have much to do with it other than the covert activities you mentioned. But he did use his knowledge of it as leverage against the board to keep him in charge of the park.

Arnold died before Delos was involved in the park. So Bernard is the former of your guesses.. an approximation of Arnold based on Ford's memory of him and Dolores' numerous experiences with him.

How true your observation about repeat watchings.
I just remember the discussion about “data” being smuggled out as intellectual or proprietary data until I think it is Bernard at the Forge and there is discussion about guest dna being gathered along with their recorded experiences. It was Bernard at the Fogre who killed everyone, people or hosts and drones in a flashback presumably under the control of Ford.

Then they discover the room full of Bernards in stasis, and it had me wondering if there were 2 Bernards in circulation? This show tends to jump around making it hard to tell sometimes when it’s a flashback, but I remember Bernard sequences where he is with soldiers brought back to HQ, then being “waterboarded” by a tech (that’s what they called it, although it was digital) and right after he is wandering around HQs with Ellie after she pulled his brain and analyzed it. The sequencing makes it look like there are two Bernards.

The Shogun story was great. We watched S2:E7&8 tonight, and the Indian’s story is very enlightening, illustrating how hosts could retain their memories from former “lives”, as if there was a cache (sub-conscious) that was not being erased and could be accessed. Knowing Ford, I say this is by intent, not an accident. Then there is the maze symbol showing up all over the park including the underside of host‘s scalps.

 

[Huntn]

Just arrived at Season 3, Episode 1. Wow, a very different kind of story, I figured it would be. I’m acclimating. Something about a company called Incite. Recap.

 

[Huntn]

S3E3- This is a different world than I pictured, except for the high and mighty, most people seem to be in a cage based on collected personal data. Dolores wants to take the system down, I don’t know if that goes as far as killing all humans, but is as far as reaching a point where she feels her kind is safe and she is not content to live in a VR world like Maeve wants to do to be with her daughter.

It appears like Maeve and Sizemore are stuck in a VR replica of the Delos’s Parks. She is tring to get out and was last seen on horseback with Sizemore riding towards Westworld. Someone has her pearl plugged in somewhere.

And Charlotte Hale, who is she? Dolores made comments that lead me to believe it’s likely Teddy. It’s a spoiler so you don’t have to say. What strikes me is that whoever it is, they need a pretty good briefing if they expect to impersonate them. Charlotte seems shakey.

Riot Control bot holy smokes, a flashback to Robocop, ED-209 almost.

 

[Huntn]

Finished S3E5, and not really happy with where this is going. It’s almost like watching a different show. I see the continuation of the story but it’s style is heavily morphed into a different kind of narrative. introducing a significant new story angle, the world as a dystopian future of hidden control is an angle that might backfire on the Producers. I think I’d prefer to see the Hosts fight to fit into a world that is more familiar.

And honestly, I’m a bit confused at this point. 🤪
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Indifference.

I think Westworld never truly found it's footing - not even in season one - just that the cast and production values carried it for a while. I'll be very surprised if they make it to season 4.

Having now seen more than half of Season 3 (Episode 5), I’m developing an opinion that as of Season 3 the show has lost it’s way, playing fast and loose while inserting big significant and elemental changes to the narrative. It’s not how I pictured it, especially when compressing the Season into 8 episodes.

 

[ritmomundo]

You're right, it does feel at times like a different show. Some new characters (and several old ones gone), a connected yet seemingly different narrative, and a rather drastic and dystopic change of setting, despite having had glimpses of the outside world in season 2. But I think it'll all come together with whatever twists are revealed over the next 2 episodes.

Also, HBO has officially renewed the show for a fourth season this week (although I thought they already had?? 🤔) and it's noteworthy that Nolan and Joy (the showrunners) have a deal in place that keeps them with the show for up to six seasons.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/westworld-renewed-season-4-at-hbo-1291307

 

[TheIntruder]

I don't mind the new direction in S03. I don't think WW has many secrets left to reveal, and exploring the other parks would be treading similar territory.

The overall themes are the same -- in the Delos parks, the hosts struggle with what it is to be sentient beings, determinism (as programmed into them), and the nature of free will.

In S03, the table is flipped, and ironically, Dolores has escaped to find that the human world she wishes to destroy is in a similar situation, with Serac trying to use his power to imprint and control the human race. Those with the money and power still indulge themselves inside and outside of the parks, and the rest of the people are schlubs like Caleb who tries to scratch out a better life with little traction. Self-realization is largely lacking in both worlds.

I thought the renewal for S04 was a foregone conclusion, but it's still surprising to see it made official only now. HBO's cupboard isn't as full as it used to be, so WW is an important piece of the puzzle, despite the high cost.

 

[Huntn]

You're right, it does feel at times like a different show. Some new characters (and several old ones gone), a connected yet seemingly different narrative, and a rather drastic and dystopic change of setting, despite having had glimpses of the outside world in season 2. But I think it'll all come together with whatever twists are revealed over the next 2 episodes.

Also, HBO has officially renewed the show for a fourth season this week (although I thought they already had?? 🤔) and it's noteworthy that Nolan and Joy (the showrunners) have a deal in place that keeps them with the show for up to six seasons.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/westworld-renewed-season-4-at-hbo-1291307

I don't mind the new direction in S03. I don't think WW has many secrets left to reveal, and exploring the other parks would be treading similar territory.

The overall themes are the same -- in the Delos parks, the hosts struggle with what it is to be sentient beings, determinism (as programmed into them), and the nature of free will.

In S03, the table is flipped, and ironically, Dolores has escaped to find that the human world she wishes to destroy is in a similar situation, with Serac trying to use his power to imprint and control the human race. Those with the money and power still indulge themselves inside and outside of the parks, and the rest of the people are schlubs like Caleb who tries to scratch out a better life with little traction. Self-realization is largely lacking in both worlds.

I thought the renewal for S04 was a foregone conclusion, but it's still surprising to see it made official only now. HBO's cupboard isn't as full as it used to be, so WW is an important piece of the puzzle, despite the high cost.

I don’t disagree with what you guys said, and I’m not bailing on S3, it’s that it feels much more helter skelter and conpressed/rushed and confusing, like who the hell is everyone? 😜 It is now lacking the story elements, the journey of discovery, and the story telling prowess, that drew me into the premise in the first place.

How did Dolores become such an expert on the real world? Yeah, sure, I know she studied, or was given this knowledge by Ford, then we have hosts popping up all over the place, and Delores is the Super Host. Yeah, I know, just go with the flow.

 

[TheIntruder]

I don’t disagree with what you guys said, and I’m not bailing on S3, it’s that it feels much more helter skelter and conpressed/rushed and confusing, like who the hell is everyone? 😜 It is now lacking the story elements, the journey of discovery, and the story telling prowess, that drew me into the premise in the first place.

How did Dolores become such an expert on the real world? Yeah, sure, I know she studied, or was given this knowledge by Ford, then we have hosts popping up all over the place, and Delores is the Super Host. Yeah, I know, just go with the flow.

I'd prefer S03 had ten episodes like the first two had, but I don't mind the faster pace, and less dwelling on some storylines like Maeve's fake daughter, and others that became ponderous.

Dolores acquired her knowledge of the human world through the Forge, which is the database holding all of the information collected on the parks' guests, depicted as the library-like room with the books she flipped though.

Conversely, the Cradle holds all of the programming that runs the hosts and the parks. Bernard spent time there, but I don't recall if Dolores did.

 

[Huntn]

I'd prefer S03 had ten episodes like the first two had, but I don't mind the faster pace, and less dwelling on some storylines like Maeve's fake daughter, and others that became ponderous.

Dolores acquired her knowledge of the human world through the Forge, which is the database holding all of the information collected on the parks' guests, depicted as the library-like room with the books she flipped though.

Conversely, the Cradle holds all of the programming that runs the hosts and the parks. Bernard spent time there, but I don't recall if Dolores did.

I think for myself, the bloom is off the rose. Despite loving S1&2, I acknowledge that there was substantial time previous to season 3 spent in long, sometimes repetitive verbal character interactions exploring some aspect of the story or the nature of host/master relationships, and in many cases keeping the viewer guessing about the true nature of what they were watching. But I didn’t care, they had swept me off my feet. As side stories, I really enjoyed the Indian and Shogun tales.

The Forge at face value is an easy enough explanation, it has all the info Delores needs to take apart the system the outside world is operating under, but this repository by the look of it, info on tens of thousands of guests would be so vast, that it seems to me would have taken an extended period of time to study, even for a computer the size of a walnut, and I doubt rich and powerful guests were spending their time in the forge spilling their guts, the inner secrets of their business empires, unless the idea is that the Forge and the sensors it imployed in peoples hats had the ability to read their thoughts.

The wild card might be Arnold or Ford who told her where to look and helped her attain a through knowledge of how to infiltrate banking systems and Serac’s system, and basically know everything. The real problem is that my Westworld reverie has dissolved so I’m not as forgiving as I once was.

 

[th0masp]

Rather surprised to hear that they are doing another season after this one. Moving the setting permanently beyond the park and hiring that Breaking Bad guy seemed to me like the obvious result of some stern meetings on the subject of doing something about dwindling viewer interest.

I'm still hanging on for the eye candy but hardly have any idea anymore about what's going on. Dolores the unstoppable terminator with all the robot smarts is getting a little long in the tooth for me. They should have probably reprogrammed her a long time ago or at least once in a while present her with an actual obstacle.

Rewatches of seasons certainly help - season 2 only clicked for me on a rewatch - but since Westworld is broadcast one episode per week I think their whole approach is a little off.
So much shown to the viewer turns out to be merely a fidget of programmed imagination in some robot brain and at the same time they are also messing with the order things are shown in. Seems like a combination that works in certain movies but not terribly suited to a show that is feeding us the story over the course of weeks. Am I really expected to recall some vague bit of foreshadowing from four episodes back to make a scene click?

Btw. can't wait for those LED-lit shirts.

 

[Huntn]

Season 3 spoilers

Rather surprised to hear that they are doing another season after this one. Moving the setting permanently beyond the park and hiring that Breaking Bad guy seemed to me like the obvious result of some stern meetings on the subject of doing something about dwindling viewer interest.

I'm still hanging on for the eye candy but hardly have any idea anymore about what's going on. Dolores the unstoppable terminator with all the robot smarts is getting a little long in the tooth for me. They should have probably reprogrammed her a long time ago or at least once in a while present her with an actual obstacle.

Rewatches of seasons certainly help - season 2 only clicked for me on a rewatch - but since Westworld is broadcast one episode per week I think their whole approach is a little off.
So much shown to the viewer turns out to be merely a fidget of programmed imagination in some robot brain and at the same time they are also messing with the order things are shown in. Seems like a combination that works in certain movies but not terribly suited to a show that is feeding us the story over the course of weeks. Am I really expected to recall some vague bit of foreshadowing from four episodes back to make a scene click?

Btw. can't wait for those LED-lit shirts.

I’m now current with Season 3, two episodes left. It is understandable why they are losing a good chunk of their audience. I’ve said Seasons 1 and 2 impressed me, especially the way they interwove young and old William’s stories, because there seemed to be a focus in the narrative. But in Season 2 at times I was confused as to what was now vs a flashback, and also wondering things like how many Bernards were floating around. And you’ve heard my critique of Season 3.

Yes, they are moving data around, or data is released, but the audience is not really drawn into this, they just do it, and it just happens for the most part. Maeve is spending a lot of time floating in and out of a simulation on behalf of Serac who is trying to enlist her to help him save the world for his benefit. Wait, is she actually out in the real world now or Still in simulated HQ when Hector has a bad event happen to him? I assume simulation because Hale in the real world squishes his pearl, right? 🤪

And if Serac thinks the real Charlotte would not stop to check on her kid, and he knows so much about Delores, why would he think Delores would show concern for a human family? And there is talk of Delores vs Helores, so I assume there are two of them. It seems like Helores is having serious adjustment issues.

Also I’m not that keen on Old William having a therapy with other versions of himself. It kind of illustrates in a compressed season, how little real story they are working with. It’s almost like watching a summary. And even when it focuses for a while on a story element, I’m wondering, do you have the time for this? However I admit I am now curious if William will redeem himself or continue to wear a black hat? I really disliked the Kaleb tripping sequence.

 

[ritmomundo]

One episode left. Feels like this season flew by! But I agree, aspects of it did seem rushed. They should've stuck with 10 episodes. Hopefully next year they go back to that format.

This season was a pretty big departure from the last one, maybe slightly disjointed even with the Rehoboam stuff, but personally I've enjoyed the new aspects they introduced. But one thing that continues to frustrate me to no end is Maeve's contrived and relentless path to her "daughter." For someone with such great ... bulk apperception, she doesn't seem to realize Dolores was exactly right last season- that the daughter narrative is just another construct for humans to use to control her.

Regarding the ratings, looks like "live" viewership was in fact down a whopping 56% !! from last season, but remaining relatively steady week-to-week. Fortunately it didn't seem to affect its renewal... The streaming numbers haven't been released yet, so that'll probably increase that total significantly.

Westworld: Season Three Ratings

Debuting in 2016, Westworld emerged as one of HBO's highest-rated and talked-about series. But, there's been a 21-month gap between the end of season two

tvseriesfinale.com

 

[TheIntruder]

Regarding the ratings, looks like "live" viewership was in fact down a whopping 56% !! from last season, but remaining relatively steady week-to-week. Fortunately it didn't seem to affect its renewal... The streaming numbers haven't been released yet, so that'll probably increase that total significantly.

Westworld: Season Three Ratings

Debuting in 2016, Westworld emerged as one of HBO's highest-rated and talked-about series. But, there's been a 21-month gap between the end of season two

tvseriesfinale.com

The chunk of the audience that bailed did so after the end of last season and didn't come back for S03, so any correlation between the changes in the storytelling this season and the drop in viewership is tenuous at best. Those who did come back have been pretty consistent in sticking with it.

That said, WW still remains one of HBO's biggest draws, so as long as it can avoid AT&T's Fecal Touch and cost slashing the rest of the company is enduring, the show will probably remain safe.

 

[Huntn]

I subscribed primarily to HBO for this one show, season 3, (but got a bonus of Watchmen) so I’ll finish the season. The changes going on might be mostly in my head and perception, but the best part of this story ended with the Season 2 final. Based on what I’ve seen, it would have been better to see Halores riding away into the sunset with her purse full of pearls and left the rest to our imagination.

 

[Roller]

Season 3 is certainly very different than the first two. S1 and 2 provided glimpses of the outside world, but I was always curious to see more about how society functioned with the advanced technology that enabled intelligent hosts. I don't know to what extent the showrunners planned this, though. In some ways, it feels as if they were aware that Westworld itself was a rut that they had to move beyond in a way that was less confusing and more action-oriented.

The concept of "humans in loops" is interesting, but I think they could have done this more effectively. Among the things that don't make sense:


Why would anyone site a machine that runs the world in the lobby of an office building, where it would be vulnerable to attack and natural disasters?

Let's say it was possible to obtain detailed data about every human being. But even a highly advanced AI wouldn't be able to account for inevitable random events. To me, it seems like the notion that one can predict the future state of any physical system from current conditions, which isn't the case.

Why would Serac put the outliers who couldn't be reprogrammed into deep freeze, which would consume ever-increasing resources? He certainly had no compunction about killing people to achieve his goals.

In S3 E7, Dolores got most of an arm hacked off and then activated the EMP to disable Solomon, Maeve, and herself. But we see her back in fighting form in the preview for the season finale. We know that hosts can be rebuilt, but it detracts from the suspense if they're essentially invincible.

Regardless, I'll watch episode 8 and anything that follows. But given the interval between seasons 2 and 3 and production delays caused by the pandemic, I don't think we'll see season 4 until 2022 at the earliest.

 

[th0masp]

I finished season 3 and, well .... I choose to see the beauty in this world, that's season one.

Before I erase the follow up seasons from my mind just FYI: there is a final scene after the credits. I had already zapped away at that point and only stumbled across it by accident.

 

[Huntn]

S3Episode 8- Unimpressed.
S3Episode 9- So why did buildings start blowing up at the end?
So who is who? How many times can a Host come back? Shocked to see Clementine, but anything is possible huh? 🤔
Blah... The Magic is gone. 😥
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Season 3 is certainly very different than the first two. S1 and 2 provided glimpses of the outside world, but I was always curious to see more about how society functioned with the advanced technology that enabled intelligent hosts. I don't know to what extent the showrunners planned this, though. In some ways, it feels as if they were aware that Westworld itself was a rut that they had to move beyond in a way that was less confusing and more action-oriented.

The concept of "humans in loops" is interesting, but I think they could have done this more effectively. Among the things that don't make sense:


Why would anyone site a machine that runs the world in the lobby of an office building, where it would be vulnerable to attack and natural disasters?

Let's say it was possible to obtain detailed data about every human being. But even a highly advanced AI wouldn't be able to account for inevitable random events. To me, it seems like the notion that one can predict the future state of any physical system from current conditions, which isn't the case.

Why would Serac put the outliers who couldn't be reprogrammed into deep freeze, which would consume ever-increasing resources? He certainly had no compunction about killing people to achieve his goals.

In S3 E7, Dolores got most of an arm hacked off and then activated the EMP to disable Solomon, Maeve, and herself. But we see her back in fighting form in the preview for the season finale. We know that hosts can be rebuilt, but it detracts from the suspense if they're essentially invincible.

Regardless, I'll watch episode 8 and anything that follows. But given the interval between seasons 2 and 3 and production delays caused by the pandemic, I don't think we'll see season 4 until 2022 at the earliest.

The story really went off the rails when they left the Delos Parks in the rear view mirror. It’s kind of sad.