Five ways Westworld could improve in season 3

The second season of Westworld has wrapped up with “The Passenger,” and it was bold and ambitious and lush and kind of a messy disaster.

I’ve had a conflicted relationship with Westworld this year (and based on the falling ratings, I don’t think I’m alone). Is it a brilliant rumination on free will, technology and what it is to be human, or an overlong, shallow slog through Philosophy 101? Are the multiple timelines a way to disorient us so we’re in the right state of mind to absorb this story, or are they an unneeded indulgence?

One thing I’ll say for the show: it is challenging. If you want to get the most out of Westworld, you need to pay attention. It’s always good to see a show — especially one as expensive and high-profile as this — unafraid to make its audience work a little. But I think Westworld takes it a bit far sometimes, and gets so concerned with designing its puzzle-box narrative that it forgets to be entertaining.

HBO has renewed Westworld for a third season. Looking back at season 2, how can they spruce up the place up going forward? We have some ideas…