Should the hosts reach the outside world in Westworld season 2?

Will the hosts be happier staying in Westworld or venturing off into the outside world?

The outside world is one of the greatest sources of mystery speculation for Westworld fans. Through all the timelines, season 1 took place exclusively within the park and facilities of Westworld. There were abstract references to the outside world: Delos losing money, the Man in Black and his philanthropy, and Ford’s mention of curing diseases. Yet, guests still visited the park to seek their true nature. Fans of the show wanted to know why guests wanted to leave their reality.

Maeve’s autonomous decision to return to the park to find her daughter denied us a glimpse of the outside world. However, itt seems inevitable for at least one host to eventually reach the outside world. In fact, the shot of Maeve and Hector in the falling snow from the latest trailer possibly hints they’ll reach the outside world in season 2.

Watch Westworld FREE With a 7-Day Risk-Free HBO Trial!

Should The Hosts Reach The Outside World?

Maeve and Hector in the outside world? — ‘Westworld’ [Credit: HBO]

We’ve been so focused on wondering what life is like beyond

Westworld

, that we haven’t stopped to consider if the hosts should reach it at all. Some fans feel the concept of the hosts escaping the park will detract from the show’s overall story.

Westworld’s

biggest strength was exploring all the fantastic stories in the confines of the park.

One aspect of the show was the rich world-building. The rules that governed the hosts, guests, and all employees of Westworld were defined and explored in season 1. First we were introduced to the hosts’ loops ,then we saw the repetitive work of the Delos employees. There was a separation between man and machine. Once the rules were challenged by Ford, the Man in Black and Maeve, the world of season 1 turned on its head.

Would Seeing Hosts In The Outside World Change The Show?

Dolores In Westworld Season 2 Endgame — ‘Westworld’ [Credit: HBO]

Beyond the rules of world-building, the show’s setting is almost its own character. However, there’s a distinct aesthetic that perfectly captures the mood of the show. It’s beautiful and impressive on the outside, teeming with more complexity and secrets on the inside. All these elements lead to a distinctive personality that shapes the characters in its Old West setting.

More from Winter is Coming

Watching the hosts drive a car through an urban area would be entertaining. But wouldn’t seeing the hosts in a modern world seem like part of another show? The science fiction beneath the wild west aesthetic is a crucial component of the show’s DNA. It represents a simpler time without all the trappings of the modern world.

Still, fans deserve to know what the outside world entails. We do not need to see it for the sake of curiosity, but because it holds answers to better understanding many of the characters. It will add depth and complexity to some of our favorite characters like William, Logan, and Charlotte Hale. But how can this be reconciled with the aforementioned issues of focusing heavily on the outside world?

Would Westworld End Up Like Lost?

Another iconic, thought-provoking show with a similarly well-defined setting may hold the answer: Lost. Like Westworld, the Island was a product of intricate world-building to the point that it became its own complex character. Except for the flashbacks, the Island was the constant setting of Lost‘s first few seasons. Eventually, several characters made it off the Island while other core characters were still there. The show created an effective balance of character and plot through portraying events on and off the Island. The off-Island characters introduced new stories. However, showing what was happening to the characters still there, the Island’s presence remained and so did the core identity of the show.

Next: Watch Jimmi Simpson Drink Tuna Water

Whenever Maeve or other hosts do finally reach the outside world, Westworld should seek a balance similar to Lost. They can dive into all the intricacies of this new world and show Maeve and others navigating it, while contrasting that with focus on characters like Dolores and Bernard reshaping the world to which fans already have a deep attachment.

We’ll begin to see what road the show takes when Westworld Season 2 premieres on HBO Sunday, April 22, 2018 9PM/EST. Until then, we will continue to speculate on anything and everything Westworld.

Make sure you follow our Twitter and Facebook pages for everything you need to know regarding Westworld Season 2.