Rhymes, Shirts and Range Rovers

Sure, I could do a full, in-depth analysis of each and every episode of Westworld’s third season. But given that am yet to crack the magic key to unlocking the 26 hour day, I’m punting instead for a more short form alternative.

So if you’re looking for an in-depth breakdown of each convoluted plot detail, then you’re in the wrong place.

If instead you’re looking for a nod to an early contender for 2020’s ‘Best Shirt in a TV Series’, welcome to my highlights from episode one of the new season of Westworld.

It’s like poetry, it rhymes

First of all, Westworld season three has a very difficult job in that it’s the first time that the series has expanded outside the parks. We’re in the real world now – well, as real as a 2058 Blade Runner-esque future can be.

It’s the consistent themes that make Westworld distinct from other series’. Fortunately, the same themes that propelled us through the first two seasons had me locked in right from the outset in season three.

Now there are the deeper themes of freedom and control, but it’s the surface level details that should also be appreciated. Like the fact that we see Aaron Paul’s Caleb wakes up several times in the episode with an overhead shot in the exact orientation that pictures a Sweetwater-spec Dolores waking up in season one.

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Hmm, similarities in two characters with totally opposing views on the world of technology. Intriguing. Or perhaps Caleb’s life is an artificial simulation too…

Aaron Paul is perfect for Westworld

I’ve never watched Breaking Bad – or anything starring Aaron Paul to be honest. I’ve subconsciously assumed he’s a great actor because of, well, the apparent viewpoint of general society, I guess. Westworld S3 E1 certainly affirmed the notion that Mr.Paul is rather good at this whole acting gig.

In a season premiere where the returning characters were almost guaranteed to take the spotlight given how much has changed since we last saw our hosts, the fact that Paul’s new character was as entertaining as the familiar faces was a credit to his performance and the quality of his acting.

Heck, we don’t even know who Francis is yet – not really, anyway – but I hurt with almost every emotional beat that Caleb felt in this first hour.

This shirt

Need I say any more? It’s a shirt with words that light up to reflect the emotions of the wearer. I’m not sure I can wait until 2058 for something like this, I really need it now.

Although, I do work in retail so it could quickly send me down the rabbit hole of Complaint City if I’m baring my heart of my shirt quite like that…

Range Rover in 2058

Range Rover is a brand that endures. In a world where you can change your dress with one flick of the wrist, or have an AI CEO cast a vote to end boardroom debates, we’re still driving to those parties and debates in Range Rovers.

Sure, you’re only colour choices are black, black or black and there are more elegant options available on the market, but to be honest, I’m not sure that’s too different from 2020 anyway.

Good on ya Range Rover.

Dolores the Terminator

Don’t mess with Dolores. I mean, that’s hardly fresh news. The girl from “a little town out west” was kicking butts and taking names throughout the course of season two. The real world has simply spurred her on.

Despite being injected with three lethal doses of tranquilliser while captive in the back of one of Incite’s Range Rover’s, Dolores breaks free to ruthlessly gun down the vast majority of the security team holding her captive, before reversing into and over one of the remaining security guards, kept in shot thanks to the luxuriously large reversing camera built into the dashboard.

All of the action was filmed with one take from the backseat of the car – one glorious (albeit brutal) tracking shot.

So there are some highlights of the first episode of season three of Westworld. I’ll post one of these each and every Tuesday night – some would say a day late, but I figure I can just say that I’m living on a divergent timeline…