The premiere of the second season of Westworld will take place next week. I was allowed to watch in advance. In case it doesn't ring a bell; Westworld is currently, after Game of Thrones, HBO's most popular series. Short synopsis: The show is set in the fictional Westworld: a technological Western theme park where the population consists entirely of synthetic androids, also called 'hosts'. These are programmed to fulfil all the visitors' wishes. In exchange for chunky money, the visitors, also known as 'newcomers' or 'guests', can indulge in the park without consequences. that's the 'what happens in Westworld, stays in Westworld' idea, because the 'hosts' have no consciousness and memories anyway.
Or is it?
The finale of the first season aired in December 2016 and after more than a year, fans can once again immerse themselves in the world, or rather, worlds of Delos Destinations revealing that Facebook's misuse of user data is a mere trifle compared to the DNA marketing in Westworld.
HBO has made good use of the hubbub surrounding Westworld. Only recently, the producers built the suspense further by claiming they were going to reveal spoilers on the US social news website Redditt. What the fans got was...the Rickroll! Or so after some new scenes from the second season, (frustrated) fans were shown footage of the Westworld cast who were singing Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up'.
Starting shot for chaos and development
Westworld season 2 revolves around the autonomy of the 'hosts'; they take the reins of their own destiny. This causes a 'role reversal' in the park; people are now at the mercy of the revenge actions of the 'hosts'. In addition, the storylines of the various parks appear to be intertwined. Complete chaos.
In season two, 'development' comes to the fore; from machine to 'human', but also the power of women. Dan Brown, in his novel Origin evolution and the effect of technology and artificial intelligence on human survival. Should humans fear this? The answer from Westworld to this question so far seems to be an unequivocal 'Yes'. In its second season, the series puts its own spin on Darwin's law of natural selection.
In addition, Westworld also makes good use of religious references. We know the obvious God complex of evil genius Dr Ford that now turns on the guests. There is the Apocalyptic hell the visitors find themselves in after sinning in a "place hidden from God", but there are also some more subtle references such as a collective suicide led by a charismatic leader.
Women's move
Like a fallen angel, an angel of vengeance, robot Dolores goes to war against humans. Having discovered her inner voice, her mission is not only to wipe out the humans in Westworld, but also to conquer the world beyond. Dolores is unhinged from God, whom she says she has killed. Riding a horse, Dolores is reminiscent of a Western version of the legend of Lady Godiva; fighting for the redemption of the 'inhabitants' of Westworld.
That women are certainly not the weaker sex is a recurring theme in Westworld. In the first season, this theme was slowly introduced through the character Maeve, but in season two the focus is mainly on Dolores; she embodies the transition from damsel in distress to a dominant and indestructible leader, who transcends the men in the park in terms of intelligence and manipulation.
Besides Dolores, Maeve has also found a new inner voice. This enables her to influence the (male) 'hosts' to do as she tells them. Refreshing to see that even in Westworld the #METOO movement makes its influence felt. Especially since the makers often did not value female-friendliness in the first season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjVqDg32_8s&t=8s
Good to know
English (UK) 
Nederlands 
Français 
){kind=link}