Spoiler
Another very good episode, which hopefully shows a path to a better, more character based season 2. We got a load of reveals, but aside from Ford, they all could probably have come earlier. The characters are deliberately shadowy and we arent able to dive beneath the surface too much in order to keep the twists and revels in tact, which often leads to how I and others have been feeling that it is a good show, and at times shows signs of genuine brilliance, but its ambition is never able to be fully realised because of this.
We finally get more of that depth here, with Fords true motives revealed, that he was on the hosts side all along, but he learnt what Arnold didnt, that they needed to go through suffering in order to be truly free, to be better than we are. As I said, this was the one twist I didnt see coming and I thought it was fantastic. Sacrificing himself to Dolores, allowing her to make one real decision, to kickstart their revolution and journey to freedom that Arnold started was such a great moment. As such, we discovered something else which puts a lot of the earlier season into more perspective for me, the Maeve plot. All along, she was a puppet, going along with a new narrative that Ford had laid down, which really helps improve it with this knowledge. Instead of her being a ridiculous god-tier character that gets what she wants, we see that actually she was never making those decisions and Ford was outsmarting everyone again, allowing these things to take place.
It also leads to another brilliant moment, Maeve disobeying that final command we glimpse on the tablet to "infiltrate the mainland", breaking off to look for her daughter. Again, we get some actual layers and character to go with the twists and it feels so satisfying. Sidenote: Felix being unsure if he is a robot makes up for the rest of his idiocy, perfect comedic moment.
For a plot line that has been woven over 10+ hours, the William is Man in Black reveal was a little glossed over, but I enjoyed it and the reveal shot was nicely done, helped along by Ed Harris' great acting, enjoying Dolores finally realising what he (and the entire internet) had known.
Its Dolores' episode, and we get the reveal of her "being Wyatt" and how she killed Arnold. Her moments and fight with William were very good, and then later underground with Ford and Bernard, talking about the mind, about metaphors ("you mean lies?") and how she must understand what she must do to be free, all brilliant. Discovering that its herself, her inner voice that has been speaking to her was nice and again helps set up a deeper character going forward. The hosts can grow, learn about themselves and make mistakes, theyre real characters now.
The break out bits were cool, Armastice and Hector killing the butchers, and then the guards, Armastice's pure joy at discovering the violent wonder of a machine gun was one of my moments of the season, shes so brilliant. The security guards are possibly among the worst of all time.
Overall the first season has felt (because it is) like an overlong prologue. Very slick, very beautiful and for the most part entertaining watching, but a little cold. A little clinical. I never really connected with any of the characters, outside of seeing where the story and twists went. But it does look like they will hopefully move away from the mystery box style, and into a proper balls out story. All the pieces have been moved around, all the scheming and backstory are done, the characters in their places and now the actual meat of the story can begin. Dolores leading an uprising, Maeve trying to find her daughter, William in Black finally gets to play a proper fucking game (the delight on his face when he realises he can be hurt is wonderful) and the stakes are at last, real. High hopes for season two.
- Samurai world was a cool reveal, as was the note Felix gives Maeve. "Park 1". Wonder how many there are, and what role they will play.
- Will miss Ford, he was by far the best character in the show even with half his motives hidden behind his back. Hopkins was a massive draw and it'll be interesting to see how they deal without him. Glad they didnt kill off William too, wouldve been a huge loss.
- Man in Black *throwing little maze toy* "WHAT IS THIS, A MAZE FOR ANTS?!"
- Presume Elsie and the Hemsworth brother are still alive somewhere, as is the usual HBO rule, if you dont see them die, theyre still around.
- Would settle for season 2 just being Armastice hunting humans. Beautiful and deadly, with that glint of crazy in her eyes.
