What a Westworld

Well, darn. Actually, truly, darn. Yes, for most of its run “Westworld” was an extravagant series of set pieces begging for a cohesive storyline. But I actually thought the series finally hit on a dystopian master plan that actually worked in its fourth (and now it seems final) season. All the mysterious symbolism and elaborate timeline shifting had given way to a vision that wasn’t just grandiose stalling. In short, it had just gotten kinda good. But at least the series ended on a hard (perhaps the hardest of resets for a season that was already basically a reset) of resets. I’m glad I stuck it out with this show, even if it may not have always had the expected payoffs or even comprehensible narratives. But it gave a wonderful showcase for Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Tessa Thompson, Ariana DeBose and more for four full seasons. And that definitely looks like something to me.

p.s. Oh, and everyone should VOTE today like our democracy/bodily autonomy/right to marry/Social Security/equality depends on it because, damn.

West-What In The-World

The multiverse is out, the simulation is in. Look, I have no idea what’s happening in the fourth season trailer for “Westworld” either. Honestly, I often have no idea what’s happening on the show while I’m actually watching it either. But I guess the reason I keep coming back (apart from the fact that this new season will feature three out queer actresses — Evan Rachel Wood, Tessa Thompson and Ariana DeBose), is its big swing ambition. Sure, sometimes you can’t shake the nagging feeling this show is nothing more than a series of unrelentingly extravagant setpieces in search of a coherent storyline. I appreciate the scope of this series, if its actual plots can leave you scratching your head. I also appreciate having Evan, Tessa, Ariana and Thandiwe Newton on my TV set on the regular. What I can kind of discern from the trailer is that a Not Dolores But Looks Like Dolores character is slowly realizing the world is perhaps not what it seems. Also, there are a lot of creepy flies. Honestly, if we’re all just living in a simulation, could we maybe not have as many obnoxious hatemongers and crypto-fascist billionaires around? Who made these programming decisions. I would like to speak to the manager.