Not in recent years of televised programming has there been a series that could touch such great depths and precision on questioning what makes the conscious mind as has HBO's new hit series WestWorld. This thought provoking show leaves you questioning reality and wondering the abyss of the mind and what exactly makes us human. Originally debuting October 2, 2016, the first season has just aired its season finale and has fans going nuts. Westworld fitting best into the genre of an American Sci-Fi/Western Thriller was originally a film written by novelist Michael Crichton back in 1973. The film starred Yul Brynner as an android in a futuristic Western themed amusement park. Notably there have been several failed attempts to recreate the show but along last it has finally been reimagined for newer generation at a $100 million budget for season one alone. With a storyline plagued with intricate plots that keep turns and twists around every corner like that of a maze it would take an amazing cast of extensive talent. Talent that includes the one and only Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jefferey Wright, Jimmi Simpson and James Marsden just to name a few. Anthony Hopkins plays Dr. Robert Ford who is one of the founding creators of the Western Theme park of the future where artificial intelligence are utilized within the amusement park to satisfy the every need of the vacationers fortunate enough to be able to afford this opportunity to seek purpose and fulfill the empty voids of their unfulfilled lives by indulging in their every desired fantasies through artificial consciousness with no consequence no matter the level of depravation or inhumanity. The A.I. referred to as "hosts" live within the park on an endless loop and are programmed to be completely unaware of anything beyond their world. Bernard Lowe played by Jefferey Wright is the Head of Behavior and programming specialist over the hosts. He works closely with Dr. Ford throughout much of the series and notices there may be more that Dr. Ford is not telling him concerning the park and its inhabitants and the potential dangers they pose to the visitors. Dolores Abernathy played by Evan Rachel Wood is the whole hearted and caring damsel of the west who after a series of events begins to question the world and truth she has been programmed to believe and begins to seek deeper. Teddy Flood played by James Marsden is the stereotypical good guy gunslinger with a dark past programmed as the love interest and hero to Dolores. The two run into a confrontation with actor Ed Harris's character referred to only as The Man in Black, who is repeated visitor to the park on a vigorous mission to discover the center of the theme park which he believes will unlock secrets hidden by Dr. Ford. Maeve played by Thandie Newton is the host madam who runs the Mariposa Saloon who like Dolores also begins to unravel the mystery behind the secrecy keeping them in this now questionable world. I'd like to take a moment to honorably mention this soundtrack is immensely tantalizing for the senses just as much as the visuals thanks to composer Ramin Djawadi who's credentials include Game of Thrones and Pacific Rim. There are also a few piano covers of known songs by Radiohead, Amy Winehouse and The Cure. Not much more can be said without completely ruining the plot for you so I will only go on to say that Westworld is about so much more than a theme park where people can play cowboys and Indians. Where they can ride horses, and have drunken brawls in saloons or a good time at the local brothel. WestWorld like any great story is about the people who come to the park and who they become in this world. It also provokes the question of what happens when artificial intelligence reaches a level of consciousness that forces them to seek their own freedom beyond this elaborate lie of a world and life of servitude to seek a purpose. This series provokes the answer that when man plays god and his creation's intelligence exceeds his own, that creation could mean his demise for These Violent Delights have Violent Ends. Only one thing is certain, season two of Westworld cannot come soon enough!
So, become a fan and check out HBO's Westworld! You won't regret it! We appreciate your view, like, or comment.
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Westworld is about so much more than a theme park where people can play cowboys and Indians. This series provokes the answer that when man plays god and his creation's intelligence exceeds his own, that creation could mean his demise, for These Violent Delights have Violent Ends. Desiree |