Westworld: Season 2 episode 8 photo analysis

Westworld is already heading into the eighth episode of the second season–and we are here to break down all the recently released photos for the episode!

This week’s episode is called ‘Kiksuya’ which in Native American language means ‘memory’ and is going to take a close look at Ghost Nation–who are distinct from the other hosts in the park. As we have all come to learn, the Ghost Nation tribe is a mysterious gang of hostile hosts that are unapproachable, and bloodthirsty.

They are feared by all and have been seen several times, crossing paths with Maeve both in season one and two. They even have their own version of the Maze, and it is possible they are trying to lure Maeve to them.

In terms of software, native code runs on one operating system, and this code can be emulated in other systems. The Ghost Nation may be true to Arnold’s native code than to Delos’ and this may be a reason why they want Maeve.

In the previous season the Ghost Nation Warrior seen above was the one who scalped Maeve, so he knows what information is printed into her skull! She sees him again in episode three of season two as she is crossing between worlds with Lee and Hector.

He approaches her to kidnap Lee, saying he does not belong in the ‘new world’. I expect he will be the one that Maeve wants to take revenge on the most. He also chased Maeve, Lee, and Hector as they headed into an elevator so he already knows that there is more to Delos than meets the eye.

Here we see Akacheta again, without his tribal paint, as we get an intimate glimpse into the life of Ghost Nation. This image depicts a scene as he makes his way towards the Valley Beyond. Ghost Nation will probably end up joining forces with Maeve and travel with her to get to the Valley Beyond.

More from Westworld

• After ChatGPT, Westworld creator thinks her show looks “like a documentary”
• HBO boss explains why they removed Westworld from HBO Max
• The Last of Us boss uses Westworld to explain Kathleen’s arc
• James Marsden still hopes they can finish Westworld
• Westworld and other HBO shows headed to Roku and Tubi

We have not seen Ghost Nation in Delos installations before, so could they go there to rescue Maeve and kidnap Lee too?! Could this path mean the Ghost Nation is trying to take down Delos too as a proxy of Arnold?

Does their path lead them to the Valley Beyond? It is likely that Akacheta has also gained a high level of awareness and that he wants to take back his ‘brain’ that is stored under the waters of the Valley Beyond, or destroy it. It is likely that the Ghost Nation are also part of the original hosts in Westworld and therefore not under the control of Delos.

Julia Jones plays the role of Kohana and is a key tribal member of Ghost Nation as well as Akacheta’s partner. Not much is known about her, as this episode is her debut appearance on the show. She is listed as a recurring cast member for Season 2.

It is likely that she is the one that will be taking care of Maeve’s daughter as they await her arrival, and will also be a sidekick for Maeve as she joins forces with the tribe. She is going to help Maeve get to the Valley Beyond, but it is hard to say at this point if the Ghost Nation tribe will survive the battles ahead.

Among the Native American nations, the horse has great symbolic meaning. Without it, territory and battles would be lost. They also symbolize war which is a fair description of events about to play out in Westworld!

Next: Westworld: 5 burning questions after season 2, episode 7

The horse also symbolizes the journey that the Ghost Nation will take to get to the Valley Beyond. Perhaps Maeve needs the Ghost Nation, as she is currently without a gang, and using their skills she has a chance to get to the Valley Beyond and destroy the installation under the water.

She can use the Ghost Nation’s knowledge to do so. It could transpire that the Ghost Nation will help her recall that her past is intrinsically linked with theirs.

Westworld airs every Sunday at 9 PM EST on HBO!