Westworld: Fan theories we love to think about from season 2

It’s been 14 weeks since the Westworld season 2 finale and as many more weeks lie ahead, we’re taking the time to revisit some of the fan-favorite theories to come out of the second season.

Westworld is known for sparking debate over where the show is headed which results in some of the best theories fans and the internet can come up with. Most likely, the series isn’t due back until 2020, so we have a lot of time on our hands to dive into some of the mysteries of season 2.

Whether it’s questioning who Dolores took along with her outside of Westworld, what season 3’s location will primarily be, or what the season finale post-credit scene means, we have so much to ponder and wonder about.

Season 2 introduced a whole new world of confusion, multiple timelines, and a glitching Bernard and exposed Delos’ intentions. We fell further and further down the rabbit hole and by the end of the season, we weren’t quite sure what to make of all of it.

Let’s revisit some of the best fan theories to come out of the second season–because it was one hell of a season that left us questioning everything and understanding very little. Are you ready for it?

A whole new world…in the future

This one is a given with how season 2 of Westworld ended as Halores left the park to head to the mainland. Even co-creator Lisa Joy Nolan alluded to the wonders that lie outside of the park in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter:

"“It’s going to be a whole new world… We’ll come to see who’s really there and what that character is in the future. This series is about reinvention and scope. The first season was a more intimate look at the park from within the loops. In the second season, the hosts broke out of their loops and were able to explore more of the park. In the third season, they’ve broken out of the park itself. We’re in terra incognita.”"

We’re curious to learn what the world outside of Westworld will be like including what year it is, what the world is like, and what technology exists in this world. Is it possible that we will be far into the future? Or will we come to learn that the time period matches that of our own?

Lisa Joy Nolan stated in an interview that the post-credits scene with William/Man in Black is indeed in the far, far future. But whether or not that will tie into the same timeline as the one Halores and Bernard are remains a mystery.

And if there’s anything Westworld loves to do, it’s giving us multiple timelines to make sense of. Time will certainly play a big role in season 3 so all the questions and theories we have for where everything is taking place will hopefully be answered then.

There’s also the question of whether not we will see other parks. We’ve been introduced to Raj World and Shogun World, but some popular fan theories include Roman World and Medieval World.

Based on Nolan’s comments and insight from the Westworld movies, it’s safe to assume that we’re headed back to the future. How exciting does that sound?

The hosts will be back

Have you seen Black Mirror? If so, then you’ll recall fan-favorite episode “San Junipero” in which people lived in a virtual afterlife and fulfill their lives in a way they couldn’t when they were alive. Redditor PickleFlavordPopcorn made a connection between the world of “San Junipero” and the Valley Beyond from season 2 of Westworld.

Could season 3 be a world where hosts are rid of their human masters and be a part of a world where they answer to no one but themselves? The San Junipero theory sounds pretty intriguing and accurate, and if this does turn out to be the case then it might not be the last we’ve seen of Teddy, Akecheta, and the others.

What goes around, comes around

Is it possible that William is stuck in place of Dolores’ design made just to torture William? Perhaps, he believes he’s a host and this belief is what perpetually tortures him until the end of time, or whatever time means in this world, anyway.

This makes sense considering the bad blood between the two characters and this would guarantee that William would have to relive his worst memories over and over again, only to learn that it was all part of a cycle.

It would be a pretty brutal punishment but given the new Dolores from season 2, it’s definitely not out of the realm of possibilities. The post-credits scene also alludes to the idea that William may be the first successful human/host hybrid, given the amount of damage he endured and still survived in season 2.

These are all interesting theories to ponder over, and just barely scratching the surface of the many that emerged from season 2. What are some of your favorites? Share them in the comments below or on our Twitter, @BeyondWestworld.