Westworld – The MIB Is Proof The Transfer Works

Published May 14, 2018 · Updated July 6, 2022

Hey guys,

Great podcast. Let’s step into analysis:

In the sequence with William testing the James Delos host, he concludes the 149th (and final) attempt by stating the engineers are about a “year or two” away from breaking through the cognitive plateau. He, of course, has instead come to the conclusion the “enterprise was a mistake” and decides not to continue testing.

This conversation must have occurred at least a year before the current events of the show. We learn in season 1 that the fallout from his wife’s suicide (specifically his daughter blaming him for the suicide) is what drove him into the park on his quest that led him to murder Maeve and her daughter, discover the maze, etc. Importantly, he has been in the park this entire time. We are told that Maeve was converted from the homestead role to her current role about one year ago. This implies that the Man in Black has been in the park at least a year at the start of season 1.

Given his projected timeline for cracking the transfer of consciousness (1-2 years) and the fact he has been in the park at least 1 year since that statement, it is plausible the technology gap has closed. Furthermore, Ford’s interest in this technology (as implied by robot Bernard’s theft/murder memory of the red ball of consciousness) may also suggest the technology is ready. Perhaps Ford even had a hand in finishing the final steps. We can also debate whose consciousness he’s stealing (*cough* Arnold).

Love to hear your thoughts. Keep up the great work.

Best,

Daniel E.
Durham, NC

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