Westworld: 5 Best and worst moments from ‘Les Ecorches’

Before we start breaking down the Westworld best and worst moments of “Les Ecorches”, let’s remember that our 5 bottom-most scenes aren’t necessarily bad in themselves, just not as connective as others. They may end up opening the very questions we need to ask to find our answers. And of course, this is opinion only, so your list will likely differ from mine.

Now, let’s dive into the 5 best and 5 worst moments of the latest episode of Westworld!

Oh and of course, SPOILERS AHEAD! 

5 Best Moments

The music

Ramin Djawadi did a fabulous job here. The Bernard-reveal music has some lovely hints, and the masterful use of Beethoven’s 7th in that gorgeous battle scene was both apt and breathtaking. What a way to capture the scene, right?

Dolores

We have to agree that Dolores storming the facility with her army behind her, flames licking at her heels, was iconic–very iconic. Dolores owns this episode in every way and Evan Rachel Wood knocks it out of the park–and we loved every single moment.

Also giving some credit to the talented costume designers—Dolores’ transformation is clear in her visual representation, which I love. Though seeing her in her true robot form is very grounding as well. All around, its one hell of a scene and the cast/crew kicked it out of the park.

The return of Ford

Anthony Hopkins is, without a doubt, one of the greatest actors to ever grace a stage. His recitation of a partial William Blake poem was not the trite, saccharine delivery you’d expect from that content juxtaposed with this storyline. Instead, it was profound, touching, and unsettling in a beautiful way. Those of you who know the rest of the poem, like me, may have noticed the parallel.

I’ve long believed that Ford and Arnold both came to the conclusion that AI are superior to humans and that the true meaning of consciousness is death—the opposite of the immortality Delos was seeking. If you go back a bit, there’s a great quote from Bernard about reality being that which is impermanent, which is clearly echoed here. This is confirmed when we discover that the park’s purpose is not to make robots more like humans, but the very opposite.

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The guests are the variables and the hosts are the control group, like in any scientific experiment. So now we have the robots losing their immortality voluntarily (casting off the “chains”, as Dolores put it), while the Delos humans frantically seek to gain that immortality for themselves. Interesting that Ford mentioned the human brain being “the last analog device in a digital world.”

But as we’ve said, everything is code. And I do mean everything. Ford should know this, given that he confirms that he did not command Dolores to kill Arnold, but merely manipulated her in a human way. It’s still just code. Also, did anyone else notice the double-shots of the actors in the glass inside the facility? Appropriate, no?

Charlotte vs. Dolores

Tessa Thompson really shows off her range as an actress in this scene, bringing new depth to her character. Dolores, of course, is Earth-shattering in every moment of this scene. This is my Dolores. This is who she needed to become. Evan Rachel Wood, please teach me how to be this badass?

Credit: HBO

Maeve

Maeve’s showdown with the Man in Black. I knew we would come to this, as this situation is where her story started. We learn that her voice power only works on non-conscious hosts, though she can clearly persuade them by bringing up memories. A new talent of hers?

It also explains why she can’t control Ghost Nation. The moment where she walks beneath the windmill, fearless and fiery, her hair in the wind and life and death in her hands, is one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever seen. That flawless confidence and simultaneous vengefulness and disdain are so much fun to watch—Thandie Newton has mastered this and it gives this character so much power.

Now we move on to my least-favorite scenes from the latest episode of Westworld. Don’t take it personally if your favorite is on the list; it’s my opinion only. Let’s dive in, shall we?

5 Worst Moments

Charlotte and Stubbs

Charlotte and Stubbs, while backed by some stunning music and accompanying visual colors, discovering the Bernards was underwhelming. Did the Delos higher-ups not know about Bernard? How much did they know? Why did no one recognize Arnold (this is, of course, assuming our photos and visions of living Arnold so far have been accurate)?

Charlotte didn’t seem to care very much, and it was a letdown for what could have been some lovely interaction between her and the Bernard she’s with, as well as developing Stubbs’s character, which really does need development at this point.

Teddy’s kill

Teddy’s violent kill of (mustache guy? Does he have a name?) fell flat. While it demonstrated what it needed to about the character, it paled in comparison to the larger violence going on around them, so it didn’t really have the impact it should have had.

Lack of Ghost Nation

Ghost Nation was essentially absent from this episode. I’ve been waiting ages for some reveals on Ghost Nation (why do they act like they’re on a loop if they’re conscious hosts?), and the trailer even teased it for this episode! And then they were barely there. 

Lawrence, the Man in Black, and Maeve

Lawrence was not the right secondary character for the scene between Maeve and the Man in Black. It’s a powerful moment, two dynamic actors facing off, and he sticks out like an awkward sore thumb. It wasn’t the right presence in the scene.

Of course, we still need a character who won’t take the focus away from Ed Harris and Thandie Newton (though, frankly, who could?), but this wasn’t the right one. It honestly took away from the scene, because some interesting questions are raised. How did the MIB survive all that? Is he a host, like many suspect? And why did he hide when the trucks came in? 

Clementine’s end. I’ve loved Angela Sarafyan in this role since Season 1. I adored the “Creepy Clementine” she eventually became. But one, I wanted to know what repercussions her alterations would eventually have (and I wanted them to be big), and two, I want to know how she went from zombie to warrior woman. Not that I didn’t love watching her kick ass, but Clementine was a good enough character that she really deserved more. 

Clementine’s end

I’ve loved Angela Sarafyan in this role since Season one. I adored the “Creepy Clementine” she eventually became. But one, I wanted to know what repercussions her alterations would eventually have (and I wanted them to be big), and two, I want to know how she went from zombie to warrior woman. Not that I didn’t love watching her kick ass, but Clementine was a good enough character that she really deserved more. 

My Good/Bad Scene

Finally, this brings us to the scene I’m torn on. I love Talulah Riley and wish she had featured more in the series. I love her performance here. The self-sacrifice of herself to destroy the Cradle and, presumably, AI immortality, was beautiful. But I wasn’t a fan of the interaction between her and the soldier.

It was a bit awkward, a little rushed, and needed some exposition if they wanted to give them a special connection. I’ve heard people saying that it’s ridiculous that a guy would fall for that right after being in battle, but honestly, have you met men? Point made. (And yeah, yeah, “not all men” and all that, but let’s not play that game today.)

Honorable Mentions for Great Moments

• That crazy-awesome dog skeleton on the table where the mysterious host body was. Love the aesthetic there!
• Jeffrey Wright generally owning this season.
• The surprise takedown of the incoming team after taking out the response team and using their clothes and weapons.

Next: Are Dolores and Teddy the Cersei and Jaime Lannister of Westworld?

• Basically every time Anthony Hopkins speaks. He’s thrown so many hints and questions at us this week that my head is spinning. And his reference to the burning of the Library of Alexandria was perfectly placed.
• Dolores’s new understanding that her “family” and her storyline were constructed to keep her there. Part of me feels like this really should have been explored much earlier, though.
• Lee Sizemore is always, always hilarious. The suspenders add to it somehow.

What were some of your favorite/least favorite moments? Share in the comments below!

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Westworld airs every Sunday on HBO at 9 PM EST!