Westworld The Podcast

“Wild Wild West” was the western/scif-fi/action/comedy/steampunk mashup we never knew we needed. Craig, Heather, and Jake review the 1999 classic. They discuss 60s tv show upon which it is based (1:25), differences between the show and movie (3:48), facts about the movie (11:56), where they all were during the summer of 1999 (29:59), the film’s needless exposition and lack of physics or continuity (35:55), crossdressing Kevin Klein (42:27), how the movie was likely made for 13-year-old boys (44:47), the largely useless female characters (47:35), the amazing and terrible special FX (53:51), how long it actually takes to go west (59:29), Kevin Smith and the giant spider (1:00:34), why there hasn’t been a great steampunk movie yet (1:06:39), the brilliance of Kenneth Branagh (1:12:50), and why we still love the movie (1:18:59).  

What would you think if you heard we were going to review a western/sci-fi mashup based on something from over 40 years ago? If you thought Westworld, you thought wrong! We're reviewing the 1999 steampunk classic Wild Wild West. Craig, Jake, and Heather give you a preview.  

Scholar of religious studies Andrew Aghapour joins the podcast to talk about the religious symbolism present throughout the first season of “Westworld.” Craig and Andrew discuss the bicameral mind (3:48), Ford, Nietzsche, and the death of God (15:08), Dolores and Maeve as prophets (38:15), and what we may learn about the religion of the Hosts and the world outside of the park in season two.  

Happy New Year, everyone! Today marks the first episode of our offseason. For all of 2017, we'll be having full-length episodes every other Wednesday. On odd weeks, you'll get a mini-episode giving a preview of the following week. This week, get a preview of our discussion about all of the religious symbolism present in Westworld. Also, an exciting announcement: the podcast is now on SoundCloud!  

The piano player covers were such a big part of the first season of “Westworld.” Craig and Heather couldn’t wait until 2018 to hear the next group of songs to be covered in season two. So they got the help of the musician behind our podcast theme music to help compose a hypothetical season two soundtrack. Alex Thompson joins Craig and Heather to play 10 amazing songs from all different genres in the piano player style. You'll hear piano player versions of: Into the West (6:39), Hurt (10:34), Rolling in the Deep (17:51), Jolene (21:07), Chandelier (25:11), Time in a Bottle (29:54), Mad World (34:23), Idioteque (38:14), Send in the Clowns (43:27), and I Say a Little Prayer (48:52). And Craig, Heather, and Alex discuss each one and how they might fit into the show.  

This is the most exciting thing to happen since the finale of “Westworld!” Craig and Heather share a project that has been in the works for quite some time. We got the creator of our honky tonk theme music to help us imagine what the music might be like in season 2. Here’s a preview of what’s to come.

The whole gang is here for this one. Craig talks with Jake, Brian, Heather, and Jonathan about the first season of “Westworld,” what they liked, didn't like, and their thoughts on the podcast in general.  

Craig had trouble coming to grips with the end of the season. Luckily Jake and Brian were there to help him along. The entire team behind Westworld The Podcast is going to reflect on the first season of “Westworld.” Here’s a taste of what you’ll be getting this Wednesday.  

Craig, Jake, and Brian wrap up their discussion of episode 10 of “Westworld,” “The Bicameral Mind.” In part two of our two-part series on the season finale, they discuss Dolores’ journey to find herself, William becoming The Man in Black, Ford’s master plan, and much more. 

Craig, Jake, and Brian dive deep into episode 10 and the season one finale of “Westworld,” “The Bicameral Mind.” In part one of a two-part series, they discuss Maeve’s escape, the value of Hector and Armistice as sidekicks, Felix’s redemption, Delos security, and the possibility of other parks. 

Craig and Heather react to the powerful Rolling Stone interview with Evan Rachel Wood. They discuss her personal demons and how they impacted her role on “Westworld.”

We watched the finale and it was amazing! Craig, Heather, and Jonathan talk about a few of their favorite moments from episode ten of “Westworld,” “The Bicameral Mind.” They discuss Jonathan’s crazy theory (1:24), Maeve’s secret code (2:28), Samuraiworld? (6:59), Dolores 1.0 (9:59), and Felix questioning his reality (16:14). 

Craig Carter and Brian Sutorious dive deep into the ninth and penultimate episode of “Westworld,” “The Well-Tempered Clavier.” They discuss Stubbs’ run-in with the Ghost Nation (4:02), Maeve’s journey to hell and back (9:59), The Man in Black inching ever so close to the end of the maze (20:38), William, Logan, and Dolores partying Confederado style (38:26), Bernard’s journey of self-discovery (55:19), and Dolores and Arnold finding each other (1:07:16). Also stay tuned after the ending theme music for our theory of the week section (1:32:01). 

Craig and Jake have a quick review about episode nine of “Westworld,” “The Well-Tempered Clavier.” They begin with a general discussion of the episode and the huge reveal and then talk about their favorite moments: Maeve’s puppeteering skills (7:02) and the photo of Logan’s sister (12:52). 

Craig and Heather dive deep into the eighth episode of “Westworld,” “Trace Decay.” They discuss Ford’s continued machinations and their wide-reaching effects (3:27), Dolores traveling through time (32:21), The Man in Black’s true nature (45:15), Maeve’s escape attempt (57:07), and the theory of the week (1:22:51). 

Craig, Heather, and Jonathan talk about a few of their favorite moments from episode eight of “Westworld,” “Trace Decay.” They discuss Maeve’s Jedi mind tricks (1:05), Bernard’s tortured existence (6:03), and The Man in Black bearing his soul for all to hear (11:48). 

Craig and Heather dive deep into episode seven of “Westworld,” “Trompe L’oeil.” They discuss William and Dolores’ journey into Ghost Nation (2:37), Maeve taking control of her destiny (24:58), and deception and betrayal in Delos (45:24). 

Craig, Heather, and Jake talk about their favorite parts of episode seven of “Westworld,” “Trompe L’oeil.” They discuss Theresa and Charlotte’s “demonstration” (3:37), the chase into Ghost Nation (7:35), and the twist we’ve all been waiting for (10:10). 

Craig, Heather, and Brian dive deep into episode six of “Westworld,” “The Adversary.” This episode we're changing up the format a bit. It's still chronological, but we’re covering entire story threads in separate sections. We discuss The Man in Black, Teddy, and the Union soldiers (2:56), Maeve and the surgery cats, Felix and Sylvester (17:14), and all the weird and wonderful developments of the Delos employees (46:53).

Craig and Jonathan have a quick review of season one episode six of “Westworld,” “The Adversary.” They discuss Ford’s secret family (2:33) and detective Elsie (9:52).