SPOILERS AHEAD. You have been warned.
Let’s be honest, Westworld was due it’s ‘oh my god’ moment – although to be honest, if you’re one of those who correctly predicted this particular plot twist a while back then it still hasn’t happened yet. Nevertheless, it does succeed in posing even more questions regarding what’s in store for future episodes.
Whether or not you were surprised at the revelation that Bernard (Jeffrey Wright) was actually a host working for Dr Harris (Anthony Hopkins) to do his dirty work in disposing of those who get too close in discovering what he’s up to, you can’t deny that Westworld has laid the groundwork in expert fashion.
The previous scenes of Bernard’s conversations with his wife, his strange conversations with Dr Harris (their condescending nature becomes clear now) and the events of last week’s episode, in which he was unable to control the hosts in Harris’s family home, all contributed to this cohesive whole. If you were watching closely, then it was obvious – although not too obvious. If anything, it has rendered some of the other fan theories relatively inconsequential in light of the potential ramifications.
If Bernard isn’t human, then who else isn’t what they seem? Surely the vast majority of the behind-the-scenes team have to be under suspicion now. Furthermore, what are Bernard’s clandestine conversations with Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) really about, now we know what he really is? We have our theories, but we suspect we’ll have the rug pulled out from under our feet once more.
Sadly, it means we appear to be saying goodbye to Theresa (Sidse Babett Knudsen), who was unfortunate enough to serve as the stark reality of what Harris is capable of. Hopefully she’ll be back in some fashion.
Such is the shock at the finale that it puts the rest of the episode into the shade – which is the shame, as there are some great moments, with Maeve (Thandie Newton) continuing to embark on her escape plan, William (Jimmi Simpson) coming to an unsprising epihany, and Charlotte (Tessa Thompson) making an unforgettable entrance.
Finally, Westworld has set the benchmark. Let’s hope it continues to build on it.
