Westworld The Podcast

The original “Blade Runner” was a big influence on “Westworld.” So you can imagine how excited we were about the sequel, “Blade Runner 2049.” Craig, Heather, and Jake discuss the stunning visuals and world building (4:29), our favorite science fiction technology (9:23), Joi (20:04), Jared Leto and architecture (25:41), the baseline (32:40), Harrison Ford and cities (34:37), the film's treatment of women (38:10), and their favorite moments (45:52).

The original “Blade Runner” is considered one of the most influential sci-fi films ever made. “Blade Runner 2049” has big shoes to fill, but the early returns are very good. Craig, Heather, and Jake preview this exciting new sequel.

Rockstar Games dropped another “Red Dead Redemption 2” trailer and it is amazing. Craig and Kit (a new voice on the podcast) talk about the game’s predecessor, the breathtaking visuals, possible storylines, and much more.

Blade Runner (1982) is a neo-noir, sci-fi classic and explores many of the same themes as Westworld. Craig, Jake, and Heather discuss facts about the film (1:42), our general impressions (6:50), how this movie is a film noir (11:11), the theme of desperation (16:26), paranoia and humanity (22:39), the treatment of women (29:21), human-robot relationships (36:28), the casting (39:32), and our favorite moments (47:54).

The neo-noir sci-fi Blade Runner is considered one of the greatest science-fiction films of all time and features many of the same themes as Westworld. In anticipation of the sequel Blade Runner 2049, we thought it would be good to visit the original. Craig, Heather, and Jake preview their discussion of the film.

So much has happened this offseason, we thought it would be good to recap everything. Craig and Heather discuss Creative Arts Emmy wins, Funko bobble heads, season 2 teasers, returning characters, and new cast members.

“Ex Machina” is one of the best new sci-fi films of the past decade. And it deals with many of the same themes as “Westworld.” Craig, Jake, and a new guest Lauren Faber discuss the background of the film (0:49), their general impressions of the film and Alicia Vikander’s performance (8:00), Domhnall Gleason as Caleb (13:47), Oscar Isaac as Nathan (16:12), the setting and how it played a part of the story (25:04), the ending (31:19), the film’s low budget being a huge benefit (37:40), the idea of sexuality (42:17), and their favorite moments (48:40).

Hector returns! Rodrigo Santoro has been confirmed for “Westworld” Season 2. Also, Dolores doesn’t have a monopoly on female robots on the verge of sentience. In “Ex Machina” (2015), Ava was kicking ass and realizing consciousness. Craig, Jake, and Lauren Faber (a new voice on the podcast) preview their discussion of the sci-fi thriller. Cover of “Chandelier” by Alex Thompson

Michael Crichton created another theme park that goes horribly awry. “Jurassic Park” (1993) is one of the greatest and most influential sci-fi films of all time. Craig and Jonathan talk about the background of the film (3:01), our memories of seeing the movie for the first time compared to what we think of it now (8:37), how “Jurassic Park” isn’t a movie about dinosaurs (15:27), the 90s nostalgia (17:53), the superb acting (21:35), the raptors as villains (25:21), the theme park (34:24), the film’s major flaw (38:11), and their favorite moments (40:36).

Exciting “Westworld” news! Jimmi Simpson announced he will be returning for season 2 and we have three new cast members joining the fold. Also Craig and Jonathan preview their discussion of another theme park gone awry, the 1993 sci-fi classic “Jurassic Park.”

“The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” is considered one of the greatest and most influential westerns of all-time and for good reason. Craig and Jake discuss the history behind the film (2:10), the music (6:41), Clint Eastwood (11:37), the costumes and sets (13:16), the details (16:01), the influence (21:10), the lack of a great villain (26:40), unnecessary scenes (30:49), the horrible dubbing and the need for more silence (32:08), and the amazing bridge scene (41:35).

Another jam-packed mini-episode, Craig and Jake talk about new cast members, interview someone who was able to attend the “Westworld” experience at Comic-Con, and preview our discussion of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.”

Dolores and Maeve aren’t the only strong female television characters in a western setting. The 90’s gave us “Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman.” Special guest Vanessa Cole from the fan site “Westworld Watchers” joins Craig and Heather to discuss the pilot episode. They talk about the history behind the show (6:46), their memories of watching it when it originally aired (10:47), themes of sexism and racism (15:45), issues of class and status (19:00),  Jane Seymour (23:48), Quinn’s plans for independence (25:22), the treatment of Native Americans (29:45), “Sullyclaus” (36:20), and our favorite moments (37:20).

The season 2 trailer for “Westworld” dropped at Comic-Con. Craig, Jake, and Brian discuss their general impressions (1:42), the bloody player piano, Bernard, and the tiger (7:11), the man hanging from the tree (9:55), Sizemore and Maeve (11:08), Dolores and Teddy mowing down guests (13:09), dead people and dune buggies (15:25), and The Man in Black (17:35).

A new cast member has joined the cast of “Westworld”! We discuss the exciting news along with the ridiculous number of Emmy nominations. We also preview next week’s discussion of the pilot episode of “Dr Quinn: Medicine Woman.”

If you love dystopian sci-fi and you haven’t watched “Black Mirror,” you need to change that immediately. A great episode to start with (and one that relates heavily to the themes of “Westworld”) is “Be Right Back.” Craig and Jake discuss the episode’s commentary on grief (3:19), how we portray ourselves online (8:59), consumerism (16:45), the problems with the androids (27:59), the brilliant foreshadowing (31:47), and the literary tradition of this episode’s premise (35:23).

A lot of “Westworld” fans are speculating about the world outside of the parks. A certain episode of “Black Mirror” provides some interesting ideas into what that might be like. Craig and Jake preview their discussion of “Be Right Back.”

Louis Herthum is the breakout star from “Westworld.” His performance as Peter Abernathy set the tone for what would be one of the best new shows on television. Craig was able to interview him and they discussed what is was like growing up in Baton Rouge (1:52), how he decided he wanted to get into acting (7:10), the original “Westworld” (12:50), how he found out about the HBO show and his preparation for the role (14:33), his time on set and his cold storage experiences (32:23), the reception from his incredible performance (43:21), praise from Ed Harris and Emmy nominations (46:52), season 2 (51:15), his experiences as a fan of the show (56:42), and a little Shakespeare (1:00:57).

Louis Herthum, otherwise known as Peter Abernathy, provided one of the biggest highlights of season one. His performance at the end of the pilot episode was the moment we knew Westworld was going to be a special show. Here’s a preview of the full-length interview coming next week.

Love Ed Harris as a cowboy in black? Then you should watch “Appaloosa” (2008). Co-written, directed, and starring Ed Harris, this western is one that subverts just about every expectation. Craig and Jake discuss their general impressions (2:02), the brilliance of Viggo Mortensen (10:32), Virgile and Alli’s relationship (21:35), and their favorite parts of the movie (37:41).