Westworld: 4 burning questions after ‘Kiksuya’

‘Kiksuya’ answered many of Westworld’s biggest mysteries, but it inevitably left fans with new burning questions.

Let’s take a look at 4 of the most pressing questions left in the wake of one of Westworld season 2’s best episodes.

Warning: Spoilers will follow for Westworld season 2, episode 8. 

Did Arnold have a hand in Akecheta discovering the Maze?

Akecheta’s journey to self-awareness and autonomy began many years ago in the wake of Arnold’s death. After wading through corpses, Akecheta discovered a physical embodiment of the Maze. This sparked his whole journey and the essential discoveries that would follow.

Many years later when his actions caught Ford’s attention and the man himself decided to speak openly with Akecheta, Ford seems genuinely curious about how Akecheta has transcended his programming all these years and how he’s allowed the symbol of the Maze to endure.

This indicates that Ford played no role in Akecheta’s self-discovery, though no doubt he learned from the host’s experiences in order to help Maeve and Dolores complete the Maze.

That still doesn’t change the fact that Akecheta was running neatly through his loops until Arnold’s death until he first saw the symbol of the Maze. It seems like too great of a coincidence for Akecheta’s crucial discovery to have happened at the same time Arnold was trying to free the hosts in his own misguided way.

It is possible that before his death Arnold made sure that Akecheta would learn of the Maze. This would ensure that the Maze and what it represented would live on, regardless of what happened with Dolores.

Arnold having a hand in Akecheta’s discovery doesn’t take away from the host’s incredible accomplishments and development. It will be intriguing to see if it’s ever revealed whether that was all Akecheta’s doing, or if Arnold played a role in it.

How far along were Ford’s plans when he confronted Akecheta?

As already established, Ford is genuinely curious about Akecheta’s remarkable feats over the years. Early in their conversation, it almost seems like Ford is realizing for the first time what the hosts are really capable of as if Akecheta is the one opening his eyes to what the hosts really deserve and need. Through Akecheta, Ford would reflect back on what happened with Arnold, and use the experiences of both to drive forward his master plans.

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By the end of their conversation, this is clearly not the case, though. While Ford appears genuinely impressed, surprised and grateful all at once for what Akecheta has achieved, his plans were already in motion. He was already planning the nature of his death and an aftermath in which the hosts would have free will.

It’s not until this moment that he realizes Akecheta is going to be a valuable piece of that aftermath as he helps lead his fellow hosts to freedom. He decides on Akecheta’s role at this moment, but his plans were already underway.

This begs the question of how far along Ford’s plans were when he met with Akecheta, and how long before Ford’s death in the season 1 finale did their meeting take place.

What are Emily’s plans for her father?

Emily–initially introduced to fans as Grace–rode into Ghost Nation’s camp to retrieve her father. With years of unique memories and understanding, Akecheta knows all to well who William is and the despicable things he’s done.

This includes the knowledge that William once murdered Maeve’s daughter, who Akecheta is rather fond of and has protected and watched over from afar.

Akecheta tells Emily he prevented William from dying because he wants to make him hurt. Emily says she has her own plans for that, and everything about the way she says it indicates she means business. Akecheta certainly buys it and lets Emily ride away with her father.

The question remains what she intends to do with him and how she’ll make him suffer. Despite the reveal that she’s William’s daughter and a formidable guest in her own right, there’s still quite a lot fans don’t know about Emily or her motives. Next episode looks like it’ll reveal some of those answers, but for now, there’s only speculation about what she intends for daddy dearest.

How is Maeve getting out of her current predicament?

There are few individuals more resourceful than Maeve, but even she is going to have a tough time getting out of her current predicament. She’s still heavily wounded physically. With the right technology, that can be fixed fairly quickly.

The bigger issue is that she’s in the custody of the ruthless Charlotte Hale. Charlotte now knows Maeve has the ability to use the mesh network to communicate with and command hosts using her mind alone.

Maeve’s greatest weapon is now known by the enemy and she’s in no physical condition to fight back.

Even so, she’s still using her ability to communicate with and command other hosts. This advantage–along with aid from the increasingly empathetic Lee Sizemore–will likely be the ticket to Maeve’s escape. She can use hosts nearby against Charlotte and her allies.

What’s even more likely is that she will contact her own allies, Hector and Armistice, who haven’t been seen since Ghost Nation descended moments after Maeve’s reunion with her daughter. With Felix and a reluctant Sylvester coming along as well, Maeve could be in good hands.

Next: Westworld: Bernard’s interrogation may have given us a clue!

Still, it’s a difficult situation even for Maeve, especially with Charlotte–a woman who should never be underestimated–as her enemy. Charlotte is likely going to try to use Maeve’s abilities within the mesh network to take back control of the park and the hosts.

Akecheta’s promise to Maeve can give her peace of mind that her daughter is safe, or at least as safe as can be given current circumstances. Now Maeve has to figure out how to reach both of them.

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