Watching Westworld

The floodgates have opened after the release of the newest episode of HBO's Westworld, "Trompe L'Oeil".  Everyone is a host, unless you think they're a host, then they're a double secret human.  There are at least five timelines, six of which take place on Mars.  The robots can kill, unless they're Clementine, but then again she's an expert at faking it.  If you've experienced trauma from watching this episode, never fear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seems like whether you loved the latest episode of HBO's Westworld, "The Adversary" depends on how much you bought into Maeve running roughshod over two bumbling technicians toiling in the bowls of Westworld's meat department.  Jim's struggling with this.  Meanwhile A.Ron might very well be teetering too close to the crazy town of Tinfoil.  We record, you decide! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looks like multiple timelines is back on the menu!  Just when we had completely written of the various timeline theories, they come roaring back in episode 105, "Contrapasso".  Not saying that any theory at this point is on entirely solid ground, but let's just say we've got our laser-based satellite receivers aimed squarely at Orion's belt. The point is a lot went down this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another intriguing and informative episode of HBO's Westworld is in the books, and we continue to have a lot to discuss.  In "Dissonance Theory", we learn that Ford has god-like control of the park, that the robots are largely made of "meat", that Maeve is coming dangerously close to unraveling the illusion of her life, and that Bernard is intentionally steering Dolores towards the mysterious end-game of Westworld, the maze. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and A.Ron try to round up Westworld's latest episode, "The Stray", but corralling the big ideas this show brings to the table is proving to be quite a challenge.  We appreciate the focus on the "human" element of Westworld, getting much more backstory for Bernard and Dr. Ford.  But how straight a shooter is Dr. Ford?  How much of his tale is fact, and how much of it carefully curated legend, intended to deceive both Bernard and the audience?  Wheels within wheels! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts dive into character development and the enigmas surrounding Bernard and Dolores. They discuss the ethical implications of Delos owning guests' bodily materials and the park's uncanny behavioral programming. The conversation shifts to Maeve's awakening and her chilling experiences in cold storage. They ponder the significance of Dolores finding a gun and explore the possible narrative and religious themes introduced by Dr. Ford. Listeners are left liking the mix of humor and deep philosophical questions.

We are incredibly impressed with the first episode of HBO's new sci-fi western, Westworld.  It was one of the best pilots we've ever seen, packing an amazing amount of mystery and world-building in just one hour, laying a great foundation for the rest of first season.  We discuss our relative comfort with the concept of Westworld at the outset, investigate the strange actions of Ed Harris's Man in Black, and praise the acting abilities of malfunctioning androids. All this and tons of early feedback! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and A.Ron spend a bit of time talking about the upcoming season of HBO's new sci-fi/western, Westworld.  We discuss the multiple reasons to be excited, from the creative and talent pedigree of the project, to the stellar advance reviews the series has enjoyed.  Can the series live up to it's promise, and hype, to become HBO's next Game of Thrones sized megahit?  Will the concept be able to sustain more than just one or two seasons?  What does Westworld look like in four seasons? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices