'Westworld' Season One Trailer: "How Many Times Have You Died?"
After a long and rocky production process, Westworld finally made its long-awaited debut on HBO last night... and from here, it looks like it was worth the wait. Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy's sci-fi drama got off to an intriguing start with its series premiere, setting up an expansive and intricate universe filled with fascinating characters who promise to explore some big questions about technology and humanity. So, what's next? Where do we go from here?
HBO's Westworld season 1 trailer provides some clues without giving away too many of the upcoming twists and turns.
The first episode of Westworld was mostly devoted to setting up this universe and the rules that guide everyone in it. We learn that Westworld is populated by android "hosts" who repeat the same scripts day after day, with no idea that their lives aren't real or that their true purpose is to serve as entertainment to the "newcomers" (paying guests) who visit the park. We also discover that while the park has been running more or less smoothly for decades, something weird is going on with the "hosts." They seem to be changing somehow, gaining self-awareness and deviating from their programming.
The motives of Westworld creative director Ford (Anthony Hopkins) remain a mystery, but his worldview seems like it could be kind of warped. "Their lives are blissful, purer than ours," he says of the hosts. "The hosts are the ones who are free. Here, under my control." The hosts themselves, however, seem to disagree. Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood), the park's oldest host, confesses, "I think there's something wrong with this world, or there's something wrong with me."
And Maeve (Thandie Newton) looks ready to fight back — something she isn't even supposed to be able to do, as the hosts are programmed never to hurt living things. "You think I'm scared of death?" she smirks. "I've done it a million times. I'm great at it. How many times have you died?" Judging by the violence in the trailer, it looks like more than a few humans might find themselves face to face with death before the season is out.
Westworld airs Sundays at 9 PM on HBO.