Is nobody talking about WestWorld?

It's really good and dark and interesting and I have theories!

I watched about 2/3 of the pilot, and then I bailed on it:

• I wasn't interested in any of the characters
• The mysteries disoriented me, and didn't intrigue me. (There's a difference between HSQ and WTF)
• I was kind of grossed out by it. Not just the rapey-ness, but also the whole body-horror vibe they've got going on. I was never a fan of Cronenberg.

I figured I'd give the show some time to gel to see if it was worth my time investing in.

I love it but I'm only up to episode 3! So intriguing.

I've been watching it through DH's press site, so I have no idea where I am in relation to the actual aired eps.

I've been meaning to watch, but haven't found the time yet.

I kind of hated the pilot, but then thought ep 2 was much better, aside from continuing reservations about the body horror. Haven't had a chance to get to the next couple of eps yet, so I guess I'll either get further into it or it'll become one of those shows I started and didn't quite get further into.

So, here's my main source of intrigue about WestWorld. Which is speculation but not spoiler.

They seem to be developing multiple timelines of the characters at the same time. That is, I think we're seeing Delores' story over a period of 34 years. I think they'll tip their hand to this soon.

But basically they started the show with a Flash Forward built into it.

Second, they've hit upon a lot of intriguing notions about identity and self-hood and artificial intelligence so I'm getting echoes of: Blade Runner, Ex-Machina, Dollhouse, Battlestar Galactica (reboot).

Finally, the show really seems to be digging into a lot of issues with rape culture, PTSD and gaslighting. Finding a metaphorical base for engaging those issues.

The implication of this theory is that William (nice guy with Delores) is Man in Black (Ed Harris) thirty some years ago.

Oh, and that there is no labyrinth per se, but that it's Delores' path as she loops through time and multiple memory wipes trying to put her own story together.

Which has some credence since this show is being run by the guy who co-wrote Memento.

I am loving the performances in Westworld. Evan Rachel Wood's Delores is fantastic! And Thandie Newton is also knocking it out of the park. Jeffrey Wright. Anthony Hopkins doing his reliably creepy creepiness. I don't know the woman playing the QA head, but she's great as well. So many good performances. For that reason, more than for the story itself, I've been really enjoying the show. The story itself has yet to really grab me. I'm finding it a little bit pretentious, like it's taking itself way too seriously.

I concur on the acting. The three you note in particular stand out. Of those three, Jeffrey Wright was the known quantity. I knew he could do this kind of performance. But Thandie, and especially Evan Rachel Wood have been revelations.