Throughout the season of Westworld so far, we are all on a roller coaster ride of confusion – every other episode brings us closer to clarity or loses us even more. However, there seems to be a big picture that is not yet revealed or maybe it’s been there the whole time? See? Roller coaster ride.
To throw another wrench into the mix, the next four Westworld episode titles and descriptions were teased on Nov. 1. This is a first for HBO, what are they trying to do to us? With a little bit of elbow grease, we’ve provided a brief breakdown of what the future episodes could symbolize and reveal.
Next up, episode 6: The Adversary
Description:
“Elsie (Shannon Woodward) discovers a possible source of sabotage, while Bernard searches for clues to anomalies in a sector thought to be abandoned. Theresa questions Ford's leadership while Lee encounters a new arrival at Westworld. The “Man in Black” and Teddy run afoul of a Union garrison in their attempt to cross a border.”
At the end of episode five, titled “Contrapasso,” Dolores, William and Logan reach Pariah, a town built on decadence and transgression, where they are recruited for a dangerous mission. The “Man in Black” meets an unlikely ally in his search to unlock the maze.
The Adversary is symbolic all on its own, the ending of episode five left with Maeve (Thandie Newton) waking up from “death” and nonchalantly enchants Lutz, one of the lab techs who’s had quite the influence on Maeve’s frequent visits to the “robot hospital”.
Episode 6 airs this Sunday, November 6th at 9:00pm EST.
Episode 7: Tromp L’Oeil
Description:
“Dolores and William journey further into treacherous territory; Maeve delivers an ultimatum; Bernard considers his next move.”
Tromp L’Oeil is an interesting choice for a title for Westworld since it has been an underlying theme throughout the season. By definition, it means “visual illusion in art, especially as used to trick the eye into perceiving a painted detail as a three-dimensional object.” Is what we’re or the “Hosts” seeing truly there?
What are Dolores and William really up to? Could Dolores be going along for the ride or using William for her own motif or agenda? The voices are getting louder in her mind.
As for Maeve, as beautiful and sexy as she is by nature, her ultimatum can be a number of things. One that comes to mind is her dire need to know what is happening to her and why. Lutz better speak now or forever hold his peace. Either way, Lutz will be left in a tight pickle and Maeve won’t leave much choice.
Bernard is always thinking, pondering and always has an answer. This gentle, brilliant man is constantly playing chess in his mind. During his interviews with Dolores, Bernard approaches her with deep understanding and seems to know the right moves to get her talking.
Episode 7 airs on HBO Sunday, November 13th at 9:00pm EST.
Episode 8: Trace Decay
Description:
“Bernard struggles with a mandate; Maeve looks to change her script; Teddy is jarred by dark memories.”
Remember when we mentioned Elsie found a possible source of sabotage at the park? Well our hunch is while Elsie goes to Bernard after making her tracking device discovery, Bernard will assist with getting to the bottom of it or stop Elsie from exposing a major secret. Theories of Bernard being a host is floating around the internet. This alone jeopardizes not only the park but Bernard himself.
Seemingly we’ve answered our own theory or hunch about Maeve’s encounter with Lutz, but we still don’t know what the reasoning behind her actions are. She is looking to change her script, but what will that mean for her role in the park? How will this go over well with park Quality Assurance and management? And will they even know? Maybe not, thanks to Lutz!
Teddy has dark memories, this is as straightforward as it gets. The title, “Trace Decay” could mean fading memories leaving just a trace in the brain. After a quick Google, simplypsychology.org describes Trace Decay as a theory that proposes: “Forgetting occurs as a result of the automatic decay or fading of the memory trace.”
The theory “focuses on time and the limited duration of short term memory.” Up until now, Teddy hadn’t shown signs of dark memories, but will Teddy triggered something and is Dolores behind it? In case you’ve forgotten, Teddy’s script professes his undying love for Dolores and his will to protect her by any means necessary.
Episode 8 airs on HBO Sunday, November 21st at 9:00pm EST.
Episode 9: The Well-Tempered Clavier
Description:
“Dolores and Bernard reconnect with their pasts; Maeve makes a bold proposition to Hector; Teddy finds enlightenment, at a price.”
“The Well-Tempered Clavier,” the title for the ninth episode of Westworld, is apparently also the name of a very famous piece of piano music. Via Wikipedia, “The Well-Tempered Clavier” is “literally a collection of two series of Preludes and Fugues in all major and minor keys, composed for solo keyboard by Johann Sebastian Bach. In the German of Bach's time, Clavier (keyboard) was a generic name indicating a variety of keyboard instruments, most typically a harpsichord or clavichord – but not excluding an organ either.”
If this isn’t a play on words, then what is it? Although this may be a far reach, “The Well-Tempered Clavier” may simply represent the infamous player piano stylization (the piano that plays itself in the saloon). Or it could symbolize Dolores and Bernard reconnecting with their pasts all while Maeve makes some connections herself with Hector. However, we have no idea how the title could also tie to Teddy’s discovery of enlightenment, whatever that may be.
Episode 9 airs on HBO Sunday November 27th at 9:00pm EST.
Keep up with the latest banter in Westworld by joining on the theory discussion filled with spoilers on Reddit. The theories and information provided by avid fans and followers of Westworld can save you the headache of trying to recap on your own. Also, be sure to stay tuned on iDigitalTimes as we share more Westworld deets in the days ahead.
