"Westworld" had always made it easier for us to tell who is human and who are their lifelike, android hosts. This line of difference is now blurred. Will this lead to confusion?
Evan Rachel Wood, who portrays the role of a human-like host at the futuristic Western theme park, said there is little to differentiate the appearance of the hosts and guests at "Westworld."
"We settled on a place of subtlety to identify hosts," she said. "These were the things that made the difference between the hosts (and the humans). One slight little movement or freeze that throws you off completely" can reveal a host. She said at "Westworld" panel at the Television Critics Association summer press tour.
"Westworld," is narrated from the hosts' perspective and not from the viewpoint of the humans. This further makes the distinction very difficult. "Westworld" also stars Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Thandie Newton and James Marsden.
"Westworld" was inspired by the movie called by the same name which was created by Michael Crichton in 1973. The series had a 10-episode first season. It deals with themes like artificial consciousness, memory and artificial identity. It explores topics like sin via interactions between lifelike "hosts" and guests acting out fantasy storylines. The chief plot line is oriented towards sex and violence, reported USA Today.
The divide between the hosts and guests, whatsoever, seems to be diminishing further and further. It is now difficult to identify human life and artificial consciousness.
This artificial consciousness is being developed in the real world. "It's questioning: 'Where does life begin?' "executive producer Lisa Joy said. "It's a constant examination of that line. Where does consciousness begin and end?"
"Westworld" star Thandie Newton, portrays the role of a madame working in the saloon. She is a non-human host. The actor revealed that playing this role made her feel more human than she ever was. She stated that there are so many questions on existence that arises. The question that arises out of this is will the hosts reflect the humans better than an actual human?
Playing hosts is very difficult as it requires one to switch gears instantaneously. The character that Wood played switches from being one under panic attack to complete freeze in just 30 seconds. This kind of diversity is really difficult to handle.
The executive producer Jonathan Nolan said that in "Westworld" creates "a sandbox environment to play in without consequence," for the human guests.
Since the show also deals with sexual violence, the creators have been very careful in treading the path as in "Westworld" it depicts an examination of human nature. They have ensured that the violence is used to just explore the crime and the torment of the characters with dignity and not to exhibit it differently.
