Another week down, another day closer to the next episode of Westworld! While we wait, we have a few new interviews to share. Thandie Newton explains what’s driving Maeve this season, costume designer Sharen Davis explains her clothing choices for each character, and Katja Herbers shares her experience playing William’s daughter, Emily.
We are more than halfway through season two of Westworld, and it seems the excitement – and the stakes – increase each week. The next episode looks to be no exception, and we have new photos courtesy of HBO for to get us hyped for “Les Écorchés.” It’s written by Jordan Goldberg and Ron Fitzgerald, and directed by Nicole Kassell; the synopsis is “Strike the match.” Above, we have a fantastic shot of the reunion of Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins) and Bernard (Jeffrey Wright). Take a look at the rest of the photos below the cut!
“Hello, old friend.”
Those three words, uttered by none other than Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins) at the end of Westworld‘s last episode, “Phase Space”, are still giving me goosebumps. It was rumored that we would see the return of Dr. Ford in some form, but no one knew for sure if Hopkins would be returning to reprise his role. While, of course, Ford isn’t technically back, given that we see him through the lens of Bernard’s (Jeffrey Wright) mind while he’s in The Cradle, his return to the screen is no less satisfying and exciting.
Along with this cliffhanger, the last episode introduces us to the newly programmed Teddy (James Marsden), shows the beginning of a short-lived alliance between the MIB (Ed Harris) and his daughter Emily (Katja Herbers), and finally reunites Maeve (Thandie Newton) with her daughter (Jasmyn Rae) in bittersweet fashion.
As per usual, interviews and articles have surfaced that comment on the last episode, so let’s dive on in and check them out!
Another Westworld episode down, and once again we are given a few answers but left with even more questions. We were left to ponder the ramifications of Dolores’ versus Maeve’s methods of obtaining freedom, and to question the nature of our reality (well, Bernard’s anyway). Let’s board the train as we take a trip through “Phase Space!”
The episode opens with a longer version of the Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) and Arnold? (Jeffrey Wright) conversation we saw in the season two premiere – where Dolores asks why he would ever be frightened of her. Arnold expresses concern over who she might become and appears to weigh his options, as Dolores interrupts to inform him he said the wrong line. She is testing him for “fidelity” and has done it countless times. What are we actually seeing here? We’ll come back to this later…
Westworld Season 2, Episode 6 “Phase Space”
Writer: Carly Wray
Director: Tarik Saleh
Runtime: 58 minutes
Content Warnings: TV-MA: Adult Content, Adult Language, Graphic Violence
Synopsis: We each deserve to choose our own fate.
In an episode featuring a few firsts, like the first look at the Japanese Edo-era-themed park Shogun World, Westworld‘s fifth episode, “Akane No Mai,” gave us a surprising and emotional first in the form of Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) turning against her longtime lover Teddy (James Marsden). Although the act of trapping Teddy and forcing the alteration of his code is meant to be seen, at least in part, as a merciful gesture, the scene still brings a sense of betrayal and heartbreak for both the viewers and, as it turns out, the actors as well.
Wood recently opened up about the twist during a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, and how difficult it was for her and Marsden to act out such a sad turning point after years of building up their characters’ love for one another.
It’s hard to believe Westworld’s second season is half over, but at least we have another exciting episode to look forward to this week! HBO has also released new photos for episode six, titled “Phase Space.” It is written by Carly Wray and directed by Tarik Saleh, and the synopsis is “We each deserve to choose our own fate.” Take a look at photo number one above and head below the cut for the rest!
It’s no secret that many of the actors on Westworld work incredibly hard to perfect the subtle nuances of their human and android characters. Actions and dialogue are the main vehicles that push a scene from start to finish, but it’s the small, almost invisible facial looks and physical actions that really build out the true emotion behind it.
As someone tasked with playing multiple characters on the show, it can be argued that Jeffrey Wright (Bernard/Arnold) puts in more work than most to develop each of his characters. The process from words on a script to dialogue and actions from an actor is incredibly complex, consuming, and no doubt fascinating, and now, you can be in attendance to listen to Wright explain his creative process in-person!
With Westworld‘s groundbreaking fifth episode of the season, “Akane No Mai”, officially behind us, we once again take a look at all the subsequent cast and crew interviews and videos that have come out in the last couple days. Of course, before jumping in, I have to take a moment to bring up the realization that we’re now halfway through the show’s sophomore season. How has this show already flown by so quickly?? Ok breathe, just breathe…
With the mini freakout now behind us, let’s get started!
A primary function of white supremacy is the “otherization” of cultures that do not fit within its defining parameters of superiority. The more pervasive and normalized the otherization, the easier it becomes for individuals of those cultures to be deemed inferior and, well, history and reality offer a plethora of examples as to the varied consequences that follow.
Orientalism is such a function and as time has gone on, the memory of the usage of the term has shifted markedly in the Western imagination. While modern references to the slur “oriental” as primarily referencing peoples from Eastern Asia and China, the slur has been used as a reference point for peoples from the Middle East to South Asia to Japan. The slur is the foundational reasoning for the stereotypes of the submissive and exotic Asian women-identifying individuals and the meek and docile Asian men-identifying individuals.
Copyright © 2016 Westworld Watchers
Vanessa Cole
Dylan Moir
Akash
