Westworld Initial Thoughts

I was talking with a family friend I have known literally since I was born and he suggested I review this show. Like he always tells me, this is the golden age of television. He has worked in the industry for so long and knows so much about it that I can't help but take his advice to heart. I haven't been watching too many drama shows but Westworld on HBO is really intriguing. I probably won't review every single episode but just post my thoughts on a chunk of them so I can talk about more overarching things without spoilers. With that said, let's get to my thoughts. I am really liking this show and each episode so far has been strong in its own way. The pilot was definitely a little slow and a lot of setup but I could tell we needed that for where this show is heading. So... looking at it through that lens, I enjoyed it a lot. In my opinion, it's just been getting stronger with every episode and the thing I absolutely love about it is it opens up so many moral questions that you could discuss for hours and hours. Even if we are a ways off, a lot of the questions it opens about improving technologies and AI feel very applicable today. Its other strength, is all the different plot elements and storylines it keeps opening up. You keep getting transitioned from what other characters are up to and it keeps feeling fresh. It's hard to get bored because you are not watching one story for too long. You get little bits of what everyone is up to. Then, you have the stuff outside the park which raises a whole new set of questions. By far the best thing in this show for me is its perspective on what's happening behind the scenes of the park. When are these interviews with the AI's happening? Who in the park can kill who? I'm hoping all these questions are carried out well and I have a feeling they will be. The criticism I have with the show is the investment I feel with the characters. I don't feel attached to any of them besides maybe Anthony Hopkin's character. Even that is more just interest in his background and motivations. I'm not emotionally attached to his journey. This is pretty minor though because I am sure as the show goes on, I will get to know these people more and more. This brings me to my next point, which is the future of the show. I believe HBO said they are planning more seasons and I heard someone suggest that each season will follow a new world/park. For example, Roman World or French Revolution World. I'm not sure if they will do that but it could be awesome. I just hope they can keep the storylines fresh and not just keep following the basic AI's gaining intelligence and revolting plot-line. Another little thing, is the musical score. It is amazing and adds so much to the tension of the events being played out! Shout out to Ramin Djawadi for his great music! To close up, I'm invested in Westworld and am extremely intrigued to see where it goes and how things are answered. I'd definitely recommend this one!