Westworld Theory: Where is Arnold and is he still alive?

The location and whether or not Ford’s former partner Arnold is  alive has led to a new Westworld theory, but we think Arnold’s real fate might be even surprising than anyone has guessed.

SPOILER WARNING: SOME OF THE THINGS IN THIS ARTICLE MAY SPOIL RECENT EPISODES OF WESTWORLD AND SOME OF THE CONJECTURE MAY SPOIL FUTURE EPISODES AS WELL.

Many Westworld fans seem to think that Ford’s former partner Arnold may be alive and in the park somewhere. Arnold could be in a cave somewhere hiding out in the park for thirty years, but it seems highly unlikely. The Westworld management doesn’t see everything, but they see most things. It would be hard to be in the park for thirty years and not be caught.

We also don’t subscribe to the Westworld theory that Arnold is the man in black. The man in black might have some history with Ford, and he’s surely a VIP guest, but if he was Arnold he would know more about the park than he does.

Then there’s the Westworld theory that Bernard is a host version of Arnold. While we think this theory might be on the right track, we doubt it. Bernard has a son and a family, including an ex-wife or partner who he communicates with on occasion. Yes all this could just be his backstory, but if Bernard is a host the real question is why? The hosts who great guests at the trainstation know they are hosts. If all of management is a host why not let them know they are hosts, it doesn’t really make sense.

LAST CHANCE TO TURN BACK BEFORE OUR POSSIBLE SPOILER WESTWORLD THEORY.

So where is Arnold? We think Arnold is dead, just like Ford said. Perhaps he died when the hosts went crazy and gained consciousness, we don’t know for sure yet. How he died isn’t really as important as the fact that he is dead though.

But just because he’s physically dead doesn’t mean that Arnold doesn’t live on. Perhaps where Arnold resides is in the minds of the hosts. We’ve been told that Westworld management wants something more from the park than the guests or investors, so what could that be?

Maybe what management wants is immortality. The ability to put themselves, or their minds into a host. When you visit the Westworld website you get asked this question…

"“You were in a car accident and unfortunately there is nothing left in the wreckage. Luckily you planned ahead and had your entire anatomy measured and mapped, and all of your memories logged and saved. An exact replica is constructed from all this information – is this you?”"

Maybe Arnold achieved some part of this before his death. Maybe when the hosts who “malfunction” speak to an invisible Arnold they are hearing him respond in their minds. Arnold did believe that hearing the voice of God was one of the traits of consciousness didn’t he?

NEXT: Breaking Down The Westworld Terms And Conditions

What do you think? Is Arnold alive in the minds of the hosts? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments below.