Westworld is finally taking us to Shogun World–are you ready?
Sheer excitement and joy as I watch the hotly anticipated Westworld episode 5 trailer entitled: ‘Akane No Mai’, which after having done some very rudimentary research, translates to ‘dance of Akane’ in English. This is fitting as we are introduced to actress Rinko Kikuchi who plays the role of Akane.
Akane states she heard a voice (Arnold)? telling her that “This is a new world”, and it most certainly is, as we finally get to see the hotly anticipated Shogun World. The existence of it was teased towards the end of the last season, as well as in the last 2-3 episodes of season 2.
She is speaking to Maeve, who is now wearing a fetching kimono and looks every part the warrior she now is–as she questions her own reality and tries to make sense of her existential awakening while finding her own ‘new voice’.
Dolores is seen stating that “In order to grow, we need to suffer”, and judging by the cut-scenes that jump between the ‘old world’ where the show began to the new Japanese world, there is going to be much pain and suffering. Especially considering that all we see are armies assembling and heading down on a warpath.
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For me, this episode is a celebration of women, as we see two powerful and independent women calling the shots, coming together from different worlds. They are representative of all that can be achieved if they are given the freedom to be “whoever the f**k they want to be”!
This particular episode is very personal for the show’s creators due to the affinity they have for this time period. They were very keen to bring this world alive which has Japanese and English dialogue. The attention to detail of the costumes and the set appear very much in line with the previous world and are as well executed as a geisha going through her slow and deliberate movements during her dance.
Westworld season 2 episode 5 is on HBO at 9 pm on Sunday the 20th of May 2018. Missing out is not an option!