Westworld and William

Westworld episode 4 Kenny p.

Roger gene Ashley and Big D.

Listened to the deep dive and I had an epiphany I want to share. I am rushing to get it to you so pardon any mistakes. I wrote in with a lighter email on Monday night as I just wasn’t totally enthused about this episode. Until I began thinking of all this..

So I too, had this feeling with the show. Of a brief unsettling let down. But then I recalled feeling this in season 2 as well. I can’t help but wonder if this is how im supposed to feel, how we are supposed to feel. season’s 1&2 story of William, his journey through the park to the uprising, and presently, always had a hint of this let down. From season 1s reveal of the maze being a child’s puzzle box, to season 2s sobering empty reveal for William ultimately killing his daughter. For real I guess???

So let’s bring it to right now, s3, and I no longer have this affinity for the character. It’s largely a hollow feeling. Almost like a terrible architecture akin to Yosemite Sam, or Elmer fudds endless pursuit of bugs bunny.

So how can I continue to be upset, when this seems to have been the constant answer that I refused to accept?

Moreover, listen to that previous line, refuse to accept….. that lies at the heart of most transformative things. Grief, depression, addiction.

I know what it’s like to lose someone important to me. Whether it’s death, or someone I loved rejecting me. Think of how you felt in those moments, how long that feeling stays with you. Until you ultimately accept what you cannot change.

that person is gone, or dead, and they aren’t coming back.

How does all of this relate to Westworld and William?

Well William, in season 1, like us as viewers, was so caught up in his pursuit of the maze, trying to figure out the meaning.

What a deep cutting metaphor.

Season 2, the minute his daughter Emily first appeared, we were wavering back and forth at every twist and turn, human or host? Again, to a detriment, William was over-analyzing every single step in order to beat the game. So were we….

Perhaps a deep seeded feeling of emptiness and regret is the underlying problem William is facing.

He can’t accept that his wife committed suicide, and his pursuit of deeper meaning left his family in shambles. He put up a hard outer shell of himself, because he feels guilty for his wife’s death. Even if it is not his fault. He plays the black hat to disguise his vulnerability. To LOCK it inside, and throw away the key.. neglecting his daughter as a result.

I came to this conclusion or theory…

I don’t think Delores is punishing William at all. Initially I did. On first watch I felt mostly nothing for him, except that he was Elmer Fudd, cursed to hunt and lose every time in various ways.

After re-watching, now i think she’s actively trying to help him, in the only way she can…. BECAUSE SHE READ HIS BOOK.

(I can’t remember who posited this on the podcast….) someone asked why she would leave William alive?

The answer is, she wouldn’t…. think about it, she knows William so well, she knows he would never stop in his pursuit of her, and the deeper meaning. As we saw at the end of season 2 where Delores knew exactly what William would do, and how to stop him. There’s no reason to believe it’s any different now. (*think Dr Strange’s only 1 successful outcome in a billion*) let’s not kid ourselves, Delores would easily be able to accomplish whatever she’s doing if she killed William. She’s more than capable…

Basically

I think Delores wants to get William back to the white hat. Him asking if he is real, is I believe, the first step towards his acceptance.

-Which gene, her getting William to get all dressed up in that black suit and hat, I believe was not out of vindictiveness, but to help him understand that character he plays and created was and is HIS MAZE.

Stripping away William’s Facade in the park. He’s vulnerable. No black hat, no black clothes… deeply metaphorical in nature. Delores allows him to observe the transition he’s done many times throughout the years one more time. From deeply vulnerable (*not caring about anything, haunted and deeply troubled) puts on black, now he’s all the sudden confident, tough and the character he created to hide his true self.

Delores effectively, killed the man in black as a character, paving the way for William to finally confront everything he’s put aside.

I’m not entirely sure what role Delores has for him. But I am thinking, it’s not going to be punishment. He is punished by himself already.

I already wrote too much and I apologize. I had such a strong reaction to this upon second watch. You’re conversation on the deep dive, sparked this. There is so much mystery still here to be revealed.

Stay safe,

Friend and devoted listener,
Kenny p

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