Five reasons why Game of Thrones fans will love Westworld

Game of Thrones and Westworld both take place in fantastical, richly imagined worlds

Westworld is a science fiction show and Game of Thrones a fantasy show, but they’re both genre entertainment, and as such, take place in imagined worlds. A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin is famous for his detailed world-building. Westeros is chock-full of invented cities, tows and castles, each with their own rich history. Westworld isn’t quite there yet, having only been around for a year, but it’s on its way. The park itself is full of interesting places, from the bucolic burg of Sweetwater to the decadent border town of Pariah, with the Mesa Hub hanging over all. And in season 2, it looks like things will expand into a whole new park: Shogun World. How big is this world going to get?

Then there’s the important role of history in building a world. On Game of Thrones, the events of the story proper are heavily influenced by things that happened years before the first episode, including Jaime Lannister’s murder of King Aerys, Rhaegar Targaryen’s secret marriage to Lyanna Stark, and many more. We don’t see those events happen in real time, but they shape the story nonetheless.

The past plays an important role in Westworld, too. Knowing what transpired between Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins) and his deceased partner Arnold when they were building the park in their youth is hugely important to understanding what happens to it in the present day.

In short, the worlds of both Game of Thrones and Westworld have texture and weight. George R.R. Martin even pitched the idea of “Westerosworld” to the show’s creators, Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. And while we’re probably never gonna see that, it’s good to know he appreciates the place.