Westworld S3 E7 Theory: Sick Family = Happy Rehoboam

Published April 28, 2020 · Updated July 6, 2022

Hi,

While watching episode 7 for a second time, a seemingly meaningless line of dialogue from Francis struck me as the huge clue to Rehoboam’s machinations. As he and Caleb drink coffee before they begin their RICO mission, Francis mentions that his daughter seems to always be sick and constantly in need of medical tests. Then it dawned on me: Rehoboam manipulates the health of the outliers’ family to strain them financially and force them to make money through the RICO app.

In concert with the restrictions Rehoboam places on their employment opportunities, this would be a genius way to force outliers to continue to complete RICO missions. This also explains why Caleb’s mom is not “missing” in cryostorage. As a person with schizophrenia, Rehoboam most likely would have identified her as an outlier and subjected her to the “re-education” protocols. However, I suspect that she is being maintained in a drug-induced state (through her limbic implant) which both renders her harmless to interfere with Rehoboam’s predictions but also the perfect motivation for Caleb to serve as Rehoboam’s unwitting enforcer via the RICO app. Another small piece of information in support of this theory is Whitman’s comment to Caleb that Rehoboam likely sent the RICO hit offer to whichever person had the most to lose (i.e. the most leverage for Rehoboam to exploit).

Thanks for keeping me entertained throughout the lockdown. I’m a physician and clinical researcher so this show and your podcast have been a welcomed distraction from COVID19.

Daniel E from North Carolina

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