Westworld's premise was intriguing from the start, and after a first season which was packed full of major twists and turns, we then got a second which only further deepened those mysteries. It also delivered a finale with game-changing consequences for the HBO series, and based on what we've seen in the first four episodes of season three, the show has made good on its promise to completely reinvent and reboot itself for a year which is finally bringing us into the real-world.
It initially felt like a shame to have moved on from the theme park concept so soon, but season three makes that somewhat easier to get past by ensuring that most of what's happening outside of that feels both intriguing and fresh. With characters like Dolores, Maeve, and Bernard now in completely new settings and given unexpected missions,
Westworld remains loyal to everything we've seen before and takes those familiar faces to places we could have never imagined. Even with this sudden shift, the progression of their respective story arcs makes sense, and furthers both them as characters and this world as a whole. There were always hints that "Westworld" was just a small piece of a much larger puzzle, and that's something season three embraces and expands on in a mostly satisfying manner.
The show remains as slow burn as ever, of course, and given past experience, the pieces likely won't fall into place until the final couple of episodes. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, and there's plenty here to keep you hooked (even if it does still demand patience). Past mysteries are addressed and new ones are introduced, all of which add up to a show that never fails to keep you on the edge of your seat. Some of those work better than others, and feeling confused or a little lost is a sensation we've grown used to with
Westworld. Regardless, there's definitely enough here to set up what should be another great year of television.
Visually, the show continues to stand out from the crowd, but even though the real-world is certainly a fascinating place to spend time in, some of the best moments come back in that familiar theme park; after all, there's an awful lot there we never got to fully delve into and explore.
Westworld may feel like a brand new show now, but it's hard not to long for the old one sometimes.
Still, Evan Rachel Wood is a magnetic and compelling presence now she's "free" and a woman with a mission, while the likes of Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, and Ed Harris remain as excellent as ever. Perhaps one of this season's highlights, however, is the fact the show is finally giving Luke Hemsworth the chance to shine. Given more to do in the space of a few episodes than ever before, the actor reminds us that he's every bit as likeable an on-screen presence as his brothers. In terms of new cast members, Vincent Cassel is an undeniably intriguing presence, and Aaron Paul's Caleb is definitely a worthy addition to the series and someone who offers a completely different viewpoint into the even more twisted world that exists outside of "Westworld." Ultimately, it's an ensemble that remains as impressive as ever, and no one's work can really be faulted.
Slow burn or not,
Westworld never fails to leave us hooked, and once those moments arrive which make you question everything you've seen up until that point, you know you're once again watching one of the best shows on television. Nothing else delivers those big reveals and twists quite as well as this series does, and while spending time in the real-world is exciting, it's going to take some getting used to. No longer exploring both "Westworld" and those other theme parks (which did look set to be the case at one point) is definitely a disappointing move on the show's part, and it's hard to say just how interesting it will be remaining away from them in the long run. For now, though, things are looking bright for fans as we continue to delve into this bleak future.
Leaving the park remains hard to come to terms with, but season three of Westworld has heaps of unique ideas and killer twists, all of which should quickly remind you why it's still one of the best shows on TV today.