Westworld : A review of most underrated show of 2016

By Vivek Singh | 1.3k | 02 Jan 2017

Based on a 1973 feature film of the same name directed by Michael Crichton, Westworld is basically a sci-fi drama set in an Old West themed park. The guests in the park can interact with life-like robots (“hosts”) and can embark on different adventures and storylines. These storylines are developed and overseen by the Park’s creative and security departments. The show follows the journey of some hosts on their path to gain sentience and finally escape from the park.

The Direction

Having big name directors- Lisa Joy and Johnathan Nolan, of Burn Notice and Person of Interest respectively, Westworld has all the complexity and the mind-fuckery that one would expect. The way in which the whole plot is introduced to the viewer is quite risky, but in hindsight, it has been executed extremely well. And the way in which the story is introduced to the viewer is a big reason for Westworld’s charm.

The Cast

There was a lot of buzz prior to the airing of Westworld, chiefly due to Sir Anthony Hopkins being a part of an already amazing cast. The video below captures what Anthony Hopkins is all about in just a 5-minute scene- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kSGkGKwp9U The acting from all the cast members is laudable, but a few really stand out. Evan Rachel Wood deserves tremendous credit for making her host character, Dolores, so interesting from the start. The diversity of emotions she shows in some scenes is a thing to behold. Thandie Newton showed off her incredible acting skills as her character Maeve went through a whole journey- from discovering that she is actually a robot to finally gaining sentience by the final episode.

The Music

The soundtrack for this show is absolutely stunning. It comes from Ramin Djawadi, who’s also the music composer for Game of Thrones . The whole opening credits scene before every episode never fails to give me goosebumps. Have a look yourself- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeBik_YHBYM

The HBO factor

A major reason for Westworld’s success is down to the fact that airs on a channel like HBO. It’s no coincidence that over the years HBO has consistently brought up shows like Rome , The Wire , Game of Thrones , etc. Allowing for nudity and swearing is a very important aspect for the show since it adds a realistic feel to it.

The Verdict

Westworld took the core idea from Michael Crichton’s Westworld and developed it into a fun, mysterious and imaginative plot. The way that the plot is unfolded is unique, albiet risky, and it is a testament to the wonderful cast that they are able to pull it off so well. There are a few “Where do we go in Season 2?” questions from fans, but given the time that the writers have on their hands now (the next season comes in 2018!), I’m confident that they will be able to deliver a satisfactory second season.