Can someone explain what the hell it's about? I saw a preview for it last night, and it was so confusing, I'm not sure I even want to give it a shot.
It's a reboot of the 1973 film of the same name and subsequent TV series. Long story, short: An amusement park opens up that lets you live the wild wild west in West World (there's also Medieval World and Roman World). There are androids that play the characters for the amusement of patrons, and if you've got the cash, the androids (indistinguishable from humans) will do anything for you. Sometimes things go wrong and bad things start to happen. The androids start to go off-script. I don't remember if the original contained the idea that the androids are becoming self-aware, but the HBO reboot certainly implies this.
I didn't even know the original Westworld was by Crichton, but yes... The similarity in fundamental idea between his two stories is inarguable. I caught the first episode of the HBO reboot last night. Seems like the last (but eldest) of the Hemsworth brothers (Luke) has finally made the inevitable voyage to Hollywood.
I want to see it but I don't have HBO. Nor am I willing to pay for it because I don't watch enough TV to warrant it.
Good two episodes so far! I was really impressed with the acting of two hosts in particular. If only the scientists would tone down the cursing, it's jarring. *goes to lurk on reddit to see episode discussions*
After watching Episode 4, I am left with a question as regards management of the park and the guests. If a guest can pretty much slaughter a roomful of hosts as his/her prerogative, how do you keep this from pissing off other guests? I mean, were I to wish to patron the local brothel (looks like they cater to all inclinations according to Episode 3), and some guest came in and shot up the place, well, I'd be right cross with the guest who just messed up my plans for the evening. I know I can't shoot him and cause him in any harm, but my fists certainly still function in a very real-world sort of way. I'm left to wonder how they deal with that.
That's a good point. I think I remember one episode saying there was 1,400 guests in the park at one time? Seems like things can get out of hand pretty quickly especially since it never seems closed, guests spend nights, etc. Have they gone into more of an explanation of how guests can't die? I can't remember and its something I'm really interested in. They did show that guests can get shot and get knocked back as if getting shot with a bulletproof vest but what about other things like getting stabbed or falling off a cliff? An interesting bit from last night's episode was when another guest approached Ed Harris and thanked him for what he did out in the real world and he responded with something like, "I'm on vacation. Say another word and I'll slit your throat." An empty threat essentially, right? I'll admit I was half asleep when I watched it and will probably have to go back and watch it again (other episodes too). I'm waiting for a guest to die in the park and Hopkins and co. try to cover it up.
The only thing they've touched on so far is Westworld bullets. Like you said, yes, they'll knock you back (they seem to be somewhere between a rubber bullet and a paintball as regards impact force), but only Hosts can die from them. They've not mentioned any other sort of weapons or simple misadventure.
Haven't seen the show yet but I have another question maybe you guys can answer. If mankind has the technology to create a fictional world, complete with AI and organic seeming robots, wouldn't mankind also have the technology for near perfect VR? Wouldn't VR be cheaper, not to mention safer?
Another question, if you could be a patron of either Westworld, Roman World, or Medieval World, which would you pick (and why)?
Westworld because strangely enough I happen to prefer westerns (be it cliched, realistic, historic or fantastical) over Rome and Medieval type settings. Not knocking those, but come on western fiction just has a better vibe to it. Not to say the others aren't but western has been due for a revival. It is just overall a much more fun world...for me personally. A lot of people prefer the more swords type settings and such though. But a gunslinger is much more fun to be! Sign me up for Westworld.
From a purely story-telling aspect, I would guess because there would be no stakes in that scenario. Yes, clearly it would be cheaper, safer, and the previous issue I mentioned of one guest messing up the adventure for another guest would easily be eliminated because you could have a seperate VR running for each guest, if they so wished, or let them play together as a group, as they chose. At some point in this show the stakes have to be raised for both the guests and for the hosts (that's what they call the artificial people), else there's little point in following people on their tricked-up Disney vacations.
From these two websites the show has created, people have surmised that the hosts have a good samaritan type of directive where they are supposed to intervene if it looks like a human guest will be hurt. The park's "website" also has a TOS which does state that there have been accidents/crimes in the past, so things aren't perfect. In episode 4, pyrotechnics have to be approved to even work, so I'm guessing a lot of material in Westworld has some sort of safety built into it. As for guests messing up the enjoyment for other guests, I think the park can probably send hosts to slow them down or to try to lure them somewhere else.
In episode 5 there is a moment when Teddy Flood drops out of character very quickly when it appears that the Man in Black is threatening Dr. Ford with a knife. He reacts in a very automated way to disarm the Man in Black. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Another thing that is starting to eat at me... What do these synthetic humans run on? The story-line has a number of hosts (notably Lawrence) running continuously in their storyline without any appearance of being brought in for a "recharge". It's been made known that the hosts can "bleed out" and "die", but so can I. I need blood, but I don't run on blood. I need food. The host's need for their blood doesn't explain what they run on.
And with Episode 6 finally we're past the setup and the story seems to be getting under way. I'm loving Meave.
With belief suitably suspended—I'm well into it. There's a better balance of mystery and revelation in this most recent episode as well. I'm really hoping they don't go overboard and stretch it out to season after season after season... (remember Lost?). Yes, they should end it when it's a good and proper time to—likely when the Robonoids get the upper hand. The only thorn for me is that annoying Brit Sizemore (overcooked and obnoxious to the point of being a caricature) and hasn't he got a huge bladder!
