Westworld: 6 questions we had from ‘Phase Space’
By Leigh White
Wow. And wow. Episode 6 of season 2, Phase Space, is insane. But as always, I have questions. Just when you think you have a handle on storylines, Westworld throws you off that wacky mechanical bull and you must do the darn walk of shame. Won’t be the first time; won’t be the last time. Let’s bring on the question party and redeem ourselves.
SPOILERS ARE AHEAD. BE ADVISED!
How cool was it to see Ford again?!
Yes, I sound like a giddy teenager, but I have no shame! It was Ford! And not superimposed young Ford’s face on another person’s body; it was the real deal. Only last week I was thinking that Anthony Hopkins left a huge hole in the show. Now, he is back and at the piano with his childhood greyhound by his side.
He’s playing music on the blood covered player piano in the Mariposa. I jumped off my couch when I saw him in episode 6. Is that the opposite of pulling a Tom Cruise? I saw what I thought was his reflection and got my expectations super high. Then Ford’s face appeared. I lost it. Apparently, he is alive in the Cradle.
That would explain how post-mortem Ford kept speaking to the Man in Black via the little girl and the child Ford host. What else does Ford have in store for us? Ford and Bernard are reunited in the ever-evolving and mysterious Cradle. How much interaction will we get to see?
How does Ford “live” in code? Is he constantly awake? As always, he seems very much in control when he encounters Bernard. As usual, Bernard is shocked, confused, and needs a hug. Someone find a way to hug him! What will happen next?
Will Bernard return from the Cradle to Elsie and cognitively be okay? Will he have any other physical effects from his Cradle visit? Will Bernard be a hat guy from now on?
What is Emily’s agenda?
After the revealing and lovie-dovie campfire chat with Emily and her father (the Man in Black), I wonder what’s her agenda. She claimed to have let her father off the hook for her mother’s tragic suicide. But is he really off the hook? It doesn’t seem feasible. They both seemed to declare a truce at the end of the night over swigs from the same whiskey bottle but sadly no s’mores.
They agree to find safety at the beach with QA at daybreak. But in the morning, the Man in Black leaves Emily behind. She wakes up to find him gone and she is not having it. The throwback saying to our buddy Lawrence is an infinite gift. Was she trying to support her father only to seek her revenge along their way?
The Man in Black is not so trusting. At first, he thought Emily could be a host created by Ford to taunt him. And she might just fit the bill. With the gumballs and cradle, this is a distinct possibility. Did he leave her stranded only to die? I don’t think so.
He knows she is extremely park-savvy. She made it this far after the reckoning. But this I know for sure. He is not getting a handmade Father’s Day card, necktie, or Olive Garden lunch.
What is Phase Space?
The title of Episode 6, Phase Space, seemed pedestrian to me. It wasn’t necessarily provocative or exotic. Upon investigation, the concept is pretty darn intricate. Pretty much mind-blowing. It wouldn’t be Westworld if you didn’t have to Google something after watching it!
Apparently, it is a physics concept with mathematical components. It’s very confusing to me. My specialty is art, not physics. I did date a physicist but being physicist adjacent ain’t going to get me answers now. What do you think it is? My guess is that it has something to do with the current state or dimension relating to the complete state (Cradle and all.)
Perhaps it is the way to understand balance and symmetry within all worlds. In season 1, we learned that there is older code (elegant structures) and newer code in hosts. Sometimes they get along. Other times, it’s not no nice.
In Westworld’s Phase Space, the Cradle adds even more problems. Will the Cradle harmonize with all of the programming? Neil deGrasse Tyson, I once again make an impassioned plea for your guidance!
Did Dolores shoot herself in the foot?
So, Dolores gave herself a gift that keeps on giving. She maxed out Teddy’s propensity for violence and decision making. Dolores felt thoughtful, cuddly, heartfelt Teddy was not going to coincide with her Wyatt squad goals. After seeing him impulsively kill the tech by the train after his transformation, Dolores is visibly shaken.
Does she have buyer’s remorse? Did she go too far with Teddy? Will he seek revenge upon her? Will he stop her from her mission? He is very self-aware of the drastic changes she made to his personality matrix yet still is aware of his previous build. He even has sympathy for the frightened tech trapped in the train car when he gives him a gun and one bullet before locking him in the train car.
Do you think Teddy is resentful? You bet he is! There’s nothing like quiet resentment in a relationship to build up and find a way to express itself very loudly. It’s never good. Would a date night help them? Couples massage? Couples therapy? No on all counts. What’s done is done.
What exactly is Teddy capable of now? All I know is he looks awesome in the episode seven trailer in the Delos security gear.
How much more religious symbolism?
In season 1, Dolores refers to one of the cattle as Judas steer. The confessional booth at the church leads to the secret lab. Michelangelo’s God painting is featured prominently in Ford’s lab in the season one finale. Earlier in the season, we find the Confererados having dinner in a very intentional Last Supper configuration.
Is the burning heart in episode 5 in Shogun World, symbolic of anything religious-wise? What other religious symbolism will the showrunners sneak in? A crown of thorns? Three wise men? A burning bush?
In the opening montage of season 2, we see a host mother and baby. Is this a Mary and Jesus reference? Then there’s poor Peter Abernathy in season 2. He gets crucified by Charlotte’s trolls in episode 6. I know it isn’t real, but you got to be kidding me! Louis Herthum once again kicked major acting butt without saying a word! I felt horrible for him. Did they really have to bolt Abernathy down?
Even Stubbs was like, “Hey, um, isn’t this a bit excessive?” Thank you Ashley. And BTW, I love your name (insert Scarlett O’Hara crying “Oh Ashley!” here.) Ashley, you’re a good guy, or host, or guy host. The Cradle was allegedly destroyed in previous timelines.
Is Abernathy’s data the only hope Delos has at retrieving billions and billions of dollars’ worth of programming? Who the heck would willing go to the park after this monumental disaster? Will Delos be forced to show their hand and sell eternal life?
What does Les Ecorches mean?
The titles of Westworld episodes are carefully crafted. They are little poems. Episode 7’s title, Les Ecorches, sounds intriguing. I think it’s going to be something gruesome. Yes, I think things will get even gorier across all timelines.
Next: Westworld: ‘Phase Space’ Part 3 in-depth review
My initial findings for this title from Collins Dictionary translate it to flayed alive. Flayed as in skinless. A secondary definition is a drawing with cutouts. So, I’m guessing more flesh will be exposed.
Or more vulnerability will be exposed. Maybe both. Perhaps the drone hosts will return in this episode and do something more than loiter and take human fluid samples. Let’s see if there are answers in the next episode.
Watch Westworld every Sunday at 9 pm EST on HBO