[rating=7.00] “Dissonance Theory”
While HBO’s latest world building effort has been mainly successful, it’s at this point that we must take a moment to look at what lies ahead. “But wait,” you ask, “We’re only a few episodes in? What could we possibly be missing?” To that I say pay attention plebes, we’re in for a long ride. While we’ve been treated to complicated storylines in the past due to Game of Thrones and even True Detective, we’re currently sitting in a unique position with a separate string of source material stemming from Michael Crichton’s original Westworld film
Like the original, the androids are glitching. While it hasn’t become a rampant epidemic, it’s clear that there’s something deeper affecting the hosts. Last week’s Arnold reveal made it clear that the problem may have be deep rooted in the original programming he designed before his “untimely demise” at the hands of the park. Since it’s mostly unclear where we are in the current Westworld timeline, we can’t accurately determine whether we’ve gone passed the park’s original issues, or if this is where it all began. While the Westworld film also depicted Roman World and Medieval World, we’re currently only aware of this one park.
This week Dr. Ford made his intentions clear as he broke ground on a new sector of the park. While he’s intent on bringing forth a new storyline that will please the investors, there’s also this sense of a new beginning he’s looking to bring to the table. Could it perhaps be a new world? Absolutely. While speculation can run rampant, it’s again important to take note of the fact that we don’t know how far along on the timeline we are. Westworld itself is a delicate ecosystem, and even as we’re made aware of each change in the host’s programming, we’re also watching them evolve on their own.
As for Ford he “doesn’t believe in nostalgia” which allows him to move forward with his work in a very uncaring manner, ignoring issues that will ultimately lead to the demise of his precious park. One must question the validity in which his intentions take root, primarily because of his own android like mannerisms. He may be human, but his humanity is lacking an empathy that is becoming increasingly apparent as the series moves forward. The odd way he talks to Theresa as they meet about the investors is indicative of his inability to connect with the world around him. Could he have explained to her his next steps without being utterly dickish and terrifying? Sure. But would it have had the same finesse? It seems he doesn’t think so. Ford is his own worst enemy, but we’ll be taking the long way to his awareness of that fact.
What’s irritating about the show is its seeming inability to do anything, while also weaving an intricate storyline that remains endlessly interesting. It could be the intentional slow build showrunners love to throw at us (and why HBO has invested so much into it, those slow builder loving bastards) but so far even the most intriguing of moments are so laden with monotony that they’re lacking. For instance, even as Maeve continues to recall her previous deaths and reincarnations there’s an underlying need for something more. Maeve’s naiveté stems from her programming, but it’s endlessly frustrating to see what should be such a strong character remain helpless. Her latest revelation has assured her of her meaningless existence by way of the bullet still stuck in her torso, which is at least a step in the right direction. Maeve’s glitch is simply her moving towards cognizance stemming from real emotions, something that should frighten even the most callous of scientists.
As Maeve becomes more aware, so too does Delores. After learning of her backstory and “talks” with Bernard, Delores has become engulfed in a new storyline that hasn’t been authorized by the programmers. It’s allowed due to her newfound friend William’s desire to keep her close to him as he traverses the park, but the damage her travels are doing to her psyche are becoming more apparent by the day. The funny thing is she shouldn’t have a psyche in the first place, but here we are.
William’s role was casually revealed to be a possible investor as his brother-in-law mentions during their first foray into the wilderness, but overall his backstory is still a mystery. As his interest in Delores grows, it seems he’s stepping into his newfound character. The popular fan theory that William’s storyline is taking place at a different time as the rest of Westworld is not only intriguing, but indicative of what we may be dealing with as a whole. If he were to be entering the world in the past, there’s that chance he could be the Man in Black. However, if we’re further along in the future, it’s terrifying to note the continued or re-emergence of the glitch afflicting the hosts. No matter what, Westworld as a park is screwed.
Knowing what we do about the world and where it’s leading toward is important to our overall perception of what’s real and what’s not. At this point, Delores is becoming embroiled with the “maze” idea that’s been plaguing the Man in Black. Of course, it could have been planted there early on by Arnold or even Ford now. There’s no way of knowing until the clues begin to come together. What we should be looking for is probably right under our noses, but as an audience we seem to be missing the bigger pieces. So yes, it’s only been a few episodes, and there’s not much to contend with, but aren’t you glad you’ve been reminded to pay attention to the little things?
