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Westworld: Why another season is great for TV fans

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There’s a solid argument to say Westworld is 2016′s most exciting new show. Its pilot was full of intrigue and the thrill of a brand-spanking fresh series that hinted at its potential was there for all to see.

Thankfully it didn’t disappoint.

In truth, we’d not seen anything quite like this since Lost hit our screens back in 2004. In that 12 years since, a lot has changed in the world of TV. Sure, there’s always been great shows both here in the UK and across the pond in the US, but the trend of Hollywood’s elite transitioning from silver screen to small screen became a frequent and preferable occurrence over the past few years.

And whilst we may only be seven episodes in, we’ve been gifted a group of fascinating characters, a slow-burning and engaging narrative, as well as some sharply written dialogue. I’ll to presume you’re fully up-to-date (hint, hint, spoiler to follow): there’s been a few brilliant twists thrown into the latter stages; one in particular, the revelation that Bernard is one of the park’s AI creations, could certainly be considered a game-changer. So with confirmation that season two will happen, albeit not until 2018, I’m convinced it’ll be something worth looking forward to.

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Credit: HBO

It’s apt that I mention Westworld’s impact being akin to how Lost mesmerised us all those years ago, because it’s no coincidence that J.J.Abrams is involved. Granted, he’s an exec producer here but the notion that he co-created Lost speaks volumes. I’ve always had great faith in Abrams and with his work over the years, so Westworld’s ability to grab your attention, make you constantly think about what’s happening and preempt what’s going to happen is one of those special experiences, much like recent phenomenon Breaking Bad.

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We’ve essentially seen the best bits of Lost extrapolated and adapted into the Westworld model. It’s the well-paced, character driven narratives laced with plenty of mystery. Ongoing questions we’re always trying to unravel, theorise, and put together to form some sort of coherency. These are the the things we as viewers can try to process and properly engage with.

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Credit: HBO

But it’s this uncertainty about where the narrative will take us, similar in theory to Game of Thrones, that is its precise intention. We’re often meant to be confused and ill-informed and to be second guessing a character’s motive, how the next scene or indeed episode will play out, and that’s its beauty.

Westworld is that new slice of sci-fi-mystery-drama I’ve been craving ever since Lost ended, and so far it’s living up to the buzz that strange, black mist inhabiting island generated… only with robots.

Are you a fan of Westworld? Do you think it’s as important as Lost or even Game of Thrones? Share your comments below…

Mike P Williams is a freelance TV, film, music and entertainment writer, with an unhealthy obsession for Game of Thrones. Over the years he’s written for MTV, Total Film, BuzzFeed, GoThinkBig, HexJam, Loaded, and regularly scribbles for Yahoo Movies and BBC Radio 1.