Westworld

HBO Original TV Series Review: "Westworld".  Season 1 critics rated this an 89% and users a 95% with an IMDb rating of 8.6/10.

"Westworld" isn't your typical amusement park. Intended for rich vacationers, the futuristic park which is looked after by robotic "hosts", allows its visitors to live out their fantasies through artificial consciousness. No matter how illicit the fantasy may be, there are no consequences for the park's guests, allowing for any wish to be indulged. "Westworld" which is based on the 1973 Michael Crichton movie of the same name, features an all-star cast that includes Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins and Golden Globe winner Ed Harris.

Season 1 of the American science fiction western television series "Westworld" (subtitled The Maze) premiered on HBO on October 2, 2016, and concluded on December 4, 2016. It consisted of ten episodes, each running approximately 60 minutes in length. The complete first season was released on home (HBO On-Demand) media on November 7, 2017.

Among the series' ensemble cast, it stars Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, and Jeffrey Wright.

The first season received very positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for the visuals, story, and performances. The series received seven nominations at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, including for Outstanding Drama Series.

Over thirty five years ago, Dr Robert Ford (Sir Anthony Hopkins) and Arnold Weber created a race of artificially intelligent robot hosts to populate a vast, Wild West-themed amusement park located on an island. Guests could pay through the nose to have a holiday from their morals, killing and screwing their way through pre-set narratives, using up as many hosts as they liked along the way.  Interesting concept to say the least!

Season 1's story line takes you through the trials and tribulations between Robert Ford and his so called partner (Arnold) for this enterprise.  Arnold disagreed with Ford’s plans and wanted the park hosts to achieve consciousness and become an evolutionary next step. He couldn’t face the idea of people entering the park to rape, torture and kill the hosts for their own amusement.

What makes this HBO series so intriguing has to be seen to be believed.  The uniqueness and ingenuity for how the hosts are created and given life is mind boggling.  It will cause you to dig deep within yourselves to imagine what it would be like being in this so called amusement park, where any or all of your fantasies come true.  Sounds like the ideal place to be?........not so fast.

This show will lure you in and create an ulterior world for some that is right up their alley.  It will also make you question your morals and values, thus keeping you coming back for episode after episode.  

The second season of "Westworld" premiered on HBO on April 22, 2018. It will consist of ten episodes and is scheduled to conclude on June 24, 2018.  I highly recommend that you watch season 1 before season 2.  You will miss an enormous amount of the back story if you just start out with season 2.  Its one of the complicated shows on TV and starting at the beginning is imperative!