Westworld: What was the plan for Kissy?

The pilot episode was only supposed to be the beginning for Kissy. What was the long-term plan for his character?

Westworld fans will remember Kissy from the pilot episode as the card dealer from the Mariposa Saloon. The Man in Black literally almost bleeds Kissy dry before scalping the poor fellow. Carved into Kissy’s scalp is a drawing of the Maze, the first time it is ever shown in Westworld. The Man in Black’s brutal interrogation of Kissy leads him to seek out Lawrence in his quest to find the center of the Maze.

After being tortured and scalped by the Man in Black, Kissy never appeared again on the show because of real life tragedy. Eddie Rouse–the actor who played Kissy–unexpectedly passed away shortly after filming the pilot episode in 2014.

Showrunner Jonathan Nolan confirmed that out of respect they wouldn’t recast the role, even though Kissy had a planned future beyond the pilot episode.

"“Eddie was absolutely lovely, and we were blessed and fortunate to work with him on the pilot, and had a very cool arc laid out for his character. Sadly, we weren’t able to go there, and we had to adjust that aspect of the story.”"

There’s no official word on what Kissy’s arc would’ve looked like, but there are enough clues to give several ideas of what it might have been.

Kissy’s future

Back in 2014 before the Westworld pilot was even filmed, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news about Eddie Rouse joining the cast and provided a description of the character he would play.

"Eddie Rouse (Pandorum, American Gangster) has also joined as “Kissy,” short for Kisecawchuck, the laconic American-Indian card — and contraband — dealer from the town saloon, making him an expert in games both on and off the card table."

This confirms Kissy’s identity as part Native American and the pilot reveals enough to make it clear that his expertise in games off the card table refers to the Maze. His knowledge of the Maze is why the Man in Black brutally interrogates him in the first place.

A Native American character who is an expert about the Maze shouldn’t sound new, though. In fact, it should sound similar to the character of Akecheta.

Westworld Season 2, Episode 8 — Photo Credit: Westworld/HBO Image Acquired from HBO Media Relations

Many elements of Akecheta’s arc and the season 2 episode “Kiksuya” were likely intended for Kissy in the first place. This would help explain why a character as central as Akecheta wasn’t introduced until the second season. Like Akecheta, Kissy could’ve been the first host to discover the Maze.

He may have tried to spread the Maze and its meaning as Akecheta did. His Native American identity makes it seem that also like Akecheta the spreading of that message would’ve primarily occurred among Ghost Nation. Obviously, that mission was not complete by the pilot, possibly because he lost someone or something dear to him along the way.

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While some aspects of Akecheta and “Kiksuya” were probably inspired from Kissy, many parts were likely adjusted as well. For one thing, Kissy doesn’t seem to have been as awake as Akecheta. Someone awake probably wouldn’t be as focused on cheating the house and coming away with more money than earned as Kissy showed in the pilot.

This cheap, greedy nature also makes it difficult to imagine Kissy having Akecheta’s compassion, nobility, and courage, all culminating in leading Ghost Nation and many others to the Door and the Valley Beyond. At the very least, what’s seen from Kissy in the pilot and what’s revealed in “Kiksuya” seems to confirm that in a previous build, Kissy was a member of Ghost Nation.

In “Kiksuya” Akecheta talks about dedicating himself to spreading the message and meaning of the Maze, first among his tribe and later with others. With Ghost Nation, the Maze is carved into their scalps. For the others that Akecheta spreads the message to like Maeve and her daughter, he just drew the symbol outside their house.

As far as it’s shown, the Maze was only carved into the scalps of Ghost Nation. This would explain why Kissy has it carved on his scalp. He may have been programmed to play the role of a card and contraband dealer when introduced in the pilot, but his knowledge of the Maze indicates he still remembered his days among Ghost Nation.

The long-term plan for Kissy could’ve involved seeking revenge against the Man in Black. In “Kiksuya” Akecheta wanted the Man in Black to suffer for his many crimes, particularly for murdering Maeve and her daughter. Imagine this storyline with Kissy in place of Akecheta. His motives for wanting to make the Man in Black suffer would’ve been even stronger given what was done to Kissy in the pilot.

Unfortunately, we will never see exactly what was planned for Kissy. As of now we also don’t know exactly how much of his character and arc did or did not influence the beautiful character and story of Akecheta.

We can find solace from Eddie Rouse’s performance as Kissy in the pilot, the brilliant episode that launched the show and hooked countless fans across the world.

What do you think was the ultimate plan for Kissy? Let us know in the comments below!