Westworld - The Door

The first season of Westworld was perfect for me two years ago and fascinated me with how it is possible to spark an impressive, multi-layered spectacle from a forgotten B movie that had long run dry. Westworld was based both on ideas and value conflicts, as well as on the gripping story of five characters who relentlessly approached a clash and a dark finale. Back then, there were some criticisms that pointed out logical flaws, but I disagreed with the critical voices and argued that besides the grand set design and excellent cast, it was primarily the excellent script that balanced all the motifs and created an attractive illusion of a fictional world in which you believe, and which entertains and excites you. Although the first season left the door ajar for possible continuation, it worked on its own and closed the most important destinies accordingly, leaving enough uncertainty for the viewers' imagination elsewhere. The second season gave up on ideas and instead tried to create a false sense of a sophisticated, complex world full of mysteries and important secrets through "profound" dialogues full of vague implications that appear in dream scenes; secrets that the show's creators will (maybe) reveal in the following seasons. It also gave up on the story. For a sequel, filler and blind alleys are typical, which writers use in other projects when the original idea is exhausted and they find themselves at a dead end. A typical example in this regard is the 5th episode, which does not advance the narrative even an inch. The second season clearly relies on shocking twists and attractions. It continues the trend that was once introduced by the popular show Lost. The goal is to keep the viewer in uncertainty and anticipation of future events and to create and strengthen an online community of fans who will endlessly discuss the latest twists, mysteries, and conspiracy theories on forums. In fact, the creators play a game with the audience, which, however, only provides pleasure if you accept the functioning of the world of Westworld in the style of "it is what it is." Thoughtful viewers will soon start asking themselves how it is possible that the outside world is satisfied with vague information about the quarantine and doesn't question the heads of the board or the thousands of wealthy visitors, who also belong to the elite. None of them seem to have a mobile phone to call for help. Apparently, the park's numerous employees do not miss their families either. The powerful multinational corporation doesn't seem to at all miss its CEO or the heir of the empire. Things must be really bad if, at a moment when practically everything is at stake, they send a team of mercenaries armed with light weapons. Where are the reconnaissance drones, helicopters, and technology that are commonly available even in modern times? For mysterious reasons, the mercenaries seem to love personal fights with robots the most and let themselves be massacred in dozens. The more you ponder the motivations of the characters and the way they try to fulfill them, the more you have to shrug your shoulders because reason goes out the window when it comes to the psychological processes of the actors. What worked so well in the first season, namely the intertwining of timelines, seems nonsensical here. In my eyes, the second season of Westworld fails due to the poor script, the multitude of motifs and the inability to work with them, arrogance, and disdain for the fan base. If a grand set design, special effects, and plenty of plot twists are enough for you, feel free to add any number of stars to my rating. For me, it is the disappointment of the year in television shows and it's a pity because the first season had a lot of promise. Overall impression: 40%. (26/06/2018) (moins) (plus)