Westworld: The Podcast

‘Westworld‘ Season 3 | Top 10 Moments (Ep. 124) May 13, 2020

It’s been a heck of a ride partners, but we’ve reached the end of the ‘ole dusty trail. Craig, Jess, and Meredith discuss their feelings about Season 3 (2:25), unanswered questions (10:52), honorable mentions for best moments (17:17), and our official top 10 (22:04).

Artwork by Stuart O’Neil

‘Westworld’ S3E8 “Crisis Theory” Deep Dive (Ep. 123) May 06, 2020

It’s just a story about robots, but it made us cry again. We discuss the poster that foreshadowed everything (2:48), William’s end and beginning (5:37), Bernard’s quest to save the world (16:31), and Dolores’ ultimate sacrifice (35:09).

Artwork by Husein Aziz from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E8 “Crisis Theory” First Impressions (Ep. 122) May 04, 2020

The Season 3 finale was everything we hoped it would be and more. It touched our hearts and blew our minds. Craig and Meredith discuss the thrilling conclusion.

Artwork by Alina Oleynik

‘Westworld’ S3E7 “Passed Pawn” Deep Dive (Ep. 121) Apr 28, 2020

In “Passed Pawn” Westworld treated us like kings and queens. We discuss what episode’s title means (3:12), Maeve scheming and slicing (7:01), William’s new calling (13:51), Caleb’s flashbacks (27:34), and Dolores’ arms race (37:38).

Artwork by Lluisa Iborra, ES from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E7 “Passed Pawn” First Impressions (Ep. 120) Apr 27, 2020

Another fantastic episode of Westworld in the books. Craig, Jess, and Meredith discuss Caleb discovering his past, a sassy AI, and the epic Maeve-Dolores fight.

Artwork by DinosoftLab from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E6 “Decoherence“ Deep Dive (Ep. 119) Apr 22, 2020

We were blown away by the explosive ending of “Decoherence.” We had a blast recording our latest dynamite episode. Craig and Jess discuss Maeve’s troubles (4:07), William’s doubles (19:58), and Charlotte’s rubble (39:14).

Artwork by Aldric Rodríguez from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E6 “Decoherence” First Impressions (Ep. 118) Apr 20, 2020

Maeve is still fighting Nazis, Williams is still fighting himself, and Dolores is fighting exploding cars. Craig and Jake discuss the latest episode of Westworld.

Artwork by Flatart, PK from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E5 “Genre” Deep Dive (Ep. 117) Apr 15, 2020

Craig and Jess discuss what happened (2:39), fun details (17:00), and our feelings about the episode (33:40).

Artwork by Andy Selimov, PL from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E5 “Genre” (Ep. 116) Apr 13, 2020

Caleb is on a trip, Dolores is on a mission, and Serac is losing control. Craig and Meredith give their first impressions of “Genre”.

Artwork by Anatolii Babii from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E4 “The Mother of Exiles” Deep Dive (Ep. 115) Apr 08, 2020

A woman is trying to replace all the evil people and an old man is going insane. Westworld really is the perfect show for 2020. Craig and Jess discuss Bernard and Stubbs getting creative (4:24), Maeve rediscovering her powers (12:19), Caleb and Dolores playing dress up (31:18), and William losing his mind (45:49) in our latest deep dive.

Artwork by Sergey Demushkin, RU from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E4 “The Mother of Exiles” (Ep. 114) Apr 06, 2020

If there’s anything we learned from this episode, it’s that you don’t mess with Dolores… or Dolores… or Dolores! Listen to our first impressions of Episode 4 “The Mother of Exiles.”

Artwork by monkik from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E3 “The Absence of Field” Deep Dive (Ep. 113) Apr 01, 2020

There might be an absence of field, but there’s no absence of theories of who Charlotte is. Craig and Jess discuss all the possible hosts (2:28), Caleb’s awakening (11:38), and Charlotte struggling to adapt (31:34).

Artwork by Sergey Demushkin, RU from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E3 “The Absence of Field” (Ep. 112) Mar 30, 2020

Who is Charlotte? How is Charlotte? Why is Charlotte? Meredith and Craig attempt to answer these questions and more in our latest episode.

Artwork by Igé Maulana, ID from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E2 “The Winter Line” Deep Dive (Ep. 111) Mar 25, 2020

Bernard needs help stopping Dolores (3:08), and Maeve is trapped in Nazi-occupied Italy in a virtual world… in the real world (23:57). The layers! Craig and Jess dive deep into “The Winter Line.”

Artwork by iconcheese from The Noun Project

'Westworld' S3E2 "The Winter Line" (Ep. 110) Mar 23, 2020

Maeve‘s fighting Nazis, Bernard‘s meeting an old friend, and we’re stuck in a fake park in a fake world… in another world? Craig and Meredith give their instant reaction to The Winter Line.

Artwork by priyanka from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E1 “Parce Domine” Deep Dive (Ep. 109) Mar 18, 2020

We dive even deeper into “Parce Domine.” Craig and Jess discuss Rohoboam (3:09), Maeve in Nazi-occupied France (6:22), CEO Charlotte (9:29), farmer Bernard (15:04), construction worker Caleb (22:00), and badass Dolores (40:00).

Artwork by Rutmer Zijlstra from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ S3E1 “Parce Domine” (Ep. 108) Mar 16, 2020

Yeeeehaawwww! We’re back for another season of Westworld. The first episode was the future-filled delight we’d hoped it would be. Listen to Craig and Jess’ first impressions of what is sure to be an incredible season.

Artwork by Pawinee from The Noun Project

'Westworld' Season 2 Recap (Ep. 107) Mar 13, 2020

Season 2 was filled with twists, turns, and some of the best episodes of television we’ve ever seen. Craig and Jess recap the chaos for you. Artwork by Smalllike from the Noun Project

'Westworld' Season 1 Recap! (Ep. 106) Mar 11, 2020

Season 3 of Westworld is just days away! We thought it would be a good idea to refresh our memories with another loop through Season 1. Join Craig and Jess as they relive one of the best seasons of sci-fi television.

Support us on Patreon

Artwork by lastspark from The Noun Project

A Brand New Season 3 Trailer! (Ep. 105) Feb 21, 2020

We’re less than one month away from the Season 3 premiere and we’ve got a brand new surprise! Craig and Jess discuss Aaron Paul’s character, Dolores, Maeve, robots, dystopia and so much more!

Become a patron on Patreon

Artwork by Made by Made from The Noun Project

Season 3 Official Trailer! (Ep. 104) Jul 22, 2019

The official Westworld Season 3 trailer dropped at the San Diego Comic-con. Craig and Brian discuss some interesting developments from a recent Entertainment Weekly article. Then they break down the amazing new trailer.

Support our podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

Artwork by Eucalyp from the Noun Project

Season 3 Teaser Trailer! (Ep. 103) May 21, 2019

We were pleasantly surprised by a new teaser trailer for Season 3 of Westworld! Craig and Meredith talk about their first impressions (1:47), new cast members (7:50), rumors (11:47), and our hopes for Season 3 (17:35).

Support us on Patreon

Artwork by Chunk Icons, IN

Thandie Newton Wins an Emmy and Aaron Paul Joins the Cast Sep 18, 2018

We’re back for a surprise episode! Craig and Meredith discuss how Westworld faired in the 2018 Emmy Awards including the fashion and Thandie Newton. Then they talk about the announcement that Aaron Paul is joining the cast for season three.

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

Irene Bedard (aka Wichapi and Pocahontas) Interview (Ep. 101) Aug 15, 2018

Wichapi was the matriarch of the village in “Kiksuya.” It was a small part, but quite essential to Akecheta’s journey. We spoke to the actress behind the part, Irene Bedard who is also the voice actor of Disney’s “Pocahontas.” We spoke with Irene about her heritage, her experiences on the show, and of course, what it’s like being Pocahontas.

Suppor the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

Patrick Cage (aka Phil) and Timothy V Murphy (aka Coughlin) Interview (Ep. 100) Aug 08, 2018

It’s our 100th episode and we’ve got a great one for you. We interview Patrick Cage (Phil the tech who went on the worst train ride ever) and Timothy V Murphy (Coughlin the badass soldier who wouldn’t stop making fun of Stubbs). Check out Craig and Meredith’s discussion in this jam-packed episode!

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

Patrick Cage (aka Phil) and Timothy V Murphy (aka Coughlin) Preview (Mini-episode) Aug 01, 2018

We’re taking a break this week, but we’re coming back strong with two interviews in one episode. Craig interviewed Patrick Cage (Phil) and Timothy V Murphy (Coughlin). Here’s a preview.

Zahn McClarnon (aka Akecheta) Interview (Ep. 99) Jul 25, 2018

Zahn McClarnon’s performance as Akecheta in “Westworld” was one of the highlights of season two. We got the chance to interview him and spoke with him about how he got started in acting (2:38), how he ended up on “Westworld” (8:06), his Native American culture (13:16), the makeup (32:49), horseback riding (37:26), filming in stunning locations (40:53), his role in “Reunion” and a fun behind-the-scenes story (44:16), the brilliance of “Kiksuya” (51:22), and much more!

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

Artwork by Chamaquito pan de dulce from The Noun Project

The Religion of ‘Westworld’ | Season 2 (Ep. 98) Jul 18, 2018

Season two of Westworld was rich with religious symbolism and commentary. Scholar of religion Andrew Aghapour joins us to discuss Dolores and Bernard as prophets (5:29), free will and choice (12:03), James Delos and resurrection (18:33), Akecheta and the Ghost Nation (27:39), the concept of multiple worlds (33:34), and looking forward to season three (41:19).

Louis Herthum (aka Peter Abernathy) Interview (Ep. 97) Jul 11, 2018

Louis Herthum plays our favorite glitching host Peter Abernathy. We discuss his thoughts on season two and the finale (2:26), his role as a major plot point (12:36), what goes into the part (15:07), how he was bolted to the chair (25:00), his chemistry with Evan Rachel Wood (29:59), the possibility of him in season three (36:25), his favorite moment as a viewer (41:22), and more!

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

Artwork by Aiden Icons from The Noun Project

‘Westworld’ Season 2 Review (Ep. 96) Jul 06, 2018

Craig Carter and Meredith Fowler take a moment to review the incredible season two of Westworld. They discuss the Teddy and Stubbs twists (2:22), themes of privacy and choice (5:31), lingering questions (11:28), podcast milestones (15:15), our favorite blooper (20:04), the music (25:38), things we didn’t like (31:52), and our favorite moments (42:07).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

See Craig's quote in The Washington Post

Offseason Preview Jul 04, 2018

Season two of Westworld might be over, but we’ve still got some great episodes of our podcast coming up. Craig Carter gives you a preview of the exciting episodes we have in store.

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

'Westworld' S2E10: "The Passenger" Deep Dive Part II (Ep. 95) Jun 28, 2018

There was so much to talk about in “The Passenger,” we had to break up our deep dive into two parts. Craig Carter and Brian Sutorious have a few more notes about the Man in Black (1:41) before discussing Jeffrey Wright’s AMA (7:27), Bernard and Dolores’ journey to the Forge (12:32), and the creation of Charlores and the season’s resolution (59:12).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Artwork by Juan Pablo Bravo from The Noun Project

'Westworld' S2E10: "The Passenger" Deep Dive Part I (Ep. 94) Jun 27, 2018

The finale of season two left us overjoyed and a little confused. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. Craig Carter and Brian Sutorious dive deep in to “The Passenger.” General discussion (1:00), Maeve’s journey to save her daughter (9:56) and the Man in Black’s journey to his own personal hell (32:26).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

‘The Passenger’ S2E10 Quick Review (Ep. 93) Jun 25, 2018

Sweet, fancy Moses. That was one hell of a season finale. “The Passenger” gave us a ton of answers and a ton of questions. After talking about the episode in general (2:10), hosts Craig Carter and Jess Bowers discuss Maeve’s sacrifice (7:11), Dolores’ body switching (13:15), the Man in Black being... somewhere (24:01), and our favorite moments in the Westworld finale (31:37).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

A Chronological Breakdown of ‘Westworld’ (Ep. 92) Jun 22, 2018

To help make sense of everything that’s happened in the almost two seasons of Westworld, Kim Renfro and Jenny Cheng of Insider have created a chronological breakdown of the major events of the show. Craig Carter and Jess Bowers go through the timeline and discuss the early days of the park (2:31) and the events after the reverie update (20:25).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

‘Vanishing Point’ S2E9 Deep Dive (Ep. 91) Jun 20, 2018

Well, that episode wrecked us emotionally. But we’re here for you. We’ll hold you gently until the pain goes away while we dive deep into “Vanishing Point.” Craig Carter and Brian Sutorious discuss some cool things from last week’s episode (2:12) before talking about Ford meddling with Bernard and Maeve (8:38), Dolores and Teddy’s tragic journey (38:37), and the Man in Black winning the father of the year award (53:49).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

‘Vanishing Point’ S2E9 Quick Review (Ep. 90) Jun 18, 2018

In a season of emotional episodes, this may very well have been the most emotional. “Vanishing Point” played with our heartstrings like the London Philharmonic. Craig Carter and Jess Bowers discuss the episode (3:20) before talking about their favorite moments (17:38).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

‘Kiksuya’ S2E8 Deep Dive (Ep. 89) Jun 13, 2018

“Westworld” surprised us again with an emotional and intense episode. Craig Carter and Jess Bowers dive deep into “Kiksuya.” After giving their general thoughts on the episode (1:35), they discuss Akecheta’s beginnings (6:50), his quest to find Kohana (17:52), sharing his knowledge with his people (59:10), and a fun theory or two (1:21:20).

‘Kiksuya’ S2E8 Quick Review (Ep. 88) Jun 11, 2018

This week “Westworld” took a fascinating turn focusing almost entirely on the Native American tribes present in the park. And it was breathtaking. Craig Carter and Meredith Fowler react to “Kiksuya,” one of the best episodes yet, before discussing their favorite moments (18:18).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch on Society6

‘Les Écorchés’ S2E7 Deep Dive (Ep. 87) Jun 06, 2018

Les écorchés literally translated means “the tormented.” That turned out to be very appropriate with all the torment we saw in the latest episode of “Westworld.” Craig Carter and Ashley Melzer give their general thoughts on “Les Écorchés” (1:24) before discussing the attack on the Mesa part I (24:42), the Man in Black and Maeve (43:08), and the attack on the Mesa part II (54:50).

Become a supporter on Partreon

Check out our merch on Society6

‘Les Écorchés’ S2E7 Quick Review (Ep. 86) Jun 04, 2018

This streak of fantastic Westworld episodes just keeps going! “Les Écorches” was magnifique! Craig Carter and Jess Bowers discuss the explosive episode (3:27) before talking about their favorite moments (16:51).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out merch on Society6

‘Phase Space’ S2E6 Deep Dive (Ep. 85) May 30, 2018

“Phase Space” promptly removed our minds from our skulls and put them in a dreamlike state. Craig and Jess discuss “Previously on Westworld” (2:29), the happenings of Delos (3:42), Dolores and Teddy on the crazy train (13:32), the Man in Black reconnecting with his daughter (27:58), Maeve slicing and dicing her way to freedom (48:09), and Bernard in the cradle (1:07:01).

Support us on Patreon

Check out our merch!

‘Phase Space’ S2E6 Quick Review (Ep. 84) May 28, 2018

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, “Phase Space” blew away our expectations yet again! Craig and Meredith discuss this fantastic, surprise-filled episode (0:35) before talking about their favorite moments (20:26).

Support us on Patreon

Check out our merch!

‘Akane No Mai’ S2E5 Deep Dive (Ep. 83) May 23, 2018

Samurai and ninja and impalings, oh my! “Akane No Mai” was an incredible introduction to Shogunworld. Craig and Brian discuss the Delos cleanup crew (3:58), Dolores and Teddy’s heartbreaking journey back to Sweetwater (11:42), and Maeve and company’s journey through feudal Japan (35:43).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch!

‘Akane no Mai’ S2E5 Quick Review (Ep. 82) May 21, 2018

Shogunworld was everything we’d hoped it would be and more. Craig and Jess discuss the beautiful and brutal ‘Akane no Mai’ (3:23) before talking about their favorite moments (24:48).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch!

‘The Riddle of the Sphinx’ S2E4 Deep Dive (Ep. 81) May 16, 2018

We’re still recovering from what might be the best episode yet (we feel like we’re saying that a lot these days). After a brief discussion about the episode in general, Craig and Meredith discuss Delos’ disturbing experiment (8:28), the Man in Black on the path to glory (36:29), and Bernard and Elsie’s horrific adventure (1:04:55).

Support us on Patreon

Check out our Westworld-inspired merch!

‘The Riddle of the Sphinx’ S2E4 Quick Review (Ep. 80) May 14, 2018

We’ve seen western. We’ve seen sci-fi. This time we saw “Westworld” go pure horror and it was glorious. Lisa Joy did not come to play for her directorial debut. Craig and Jake discuss “The Riddle of the Sphinx” and its many layers (2:17) before talking about their favorite moments (18:39).

‘Virtù e Fortuna’ S2E3 Deep Dive (Ep. 79) May 09, 2018

The third episode of season two was certainly full of virtue and fortune. Craig and Brian dive deep into ‘Virtù e Fortuna’ to discuss adventures in The Raj (3:19), Maeve finding new and old friends (21:12), Dolores on a warpath (42:31), and crazy theories (1:34:43).

Support us on Patreon

Check out our cool merch!

‘Virtù e Fortuna’ S2E3 Quick Review (Ep. 78) May 07, 2018

Holy crap. What an episode. Craig and Meredith discuss a fun “Westworld” conspiracy from last week’s episode (0:50). Then they recap “Virtù e Fortuna” (3:26) before discussing their favorite moments (18:25).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our sick merch!

‘Reunion’ S2E2 Deep Dive (Ep. 77) May 02, 2018

The second episode of Season 2 might be one of the best in the whole series. Craig and Jake dive deep into “Reunion” to discuss the Man in Black and Lawrence (4:47) and Dolores’ history of espionage (34:06)

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our cool merch!

‘Reunion’ S2E2 Quick Review (Ep. 76) Apr 30, 2018

That was one heck of a reunion! Craig and Meredith discuss a few things they missed from last week (0:58). Then they jump into a quick breakdown of episode two, ‘Reunion’ (5:54) before discussing their favorite moments (16:59).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our cool merch!

‘Journey Into Night’ S2E1 Deep Dive (Ep. 75) Apr 26, 2018

It’s time to dive deep into “Journey Into Night.” Craig and Meredith talk about the show’s new intro (3:56), the Man in Black starting his new journey (7:11), Dolores’ pension for violence (15:24), Maeve and Sizemore’s wacky adventures (27:47), and Bernard on a distant shore (38:50).

Support the podcast on Patreon

Check out our merch!

‘Journey Into Night’ S2E1 Quick Review (Ep. 74) Apr 23, 2018

It’s here! The premiere of Season 2 has arrived and we are so excited to talk about ‘Journey Into Night.’ Craig and Meredith give a quick recap (2:29) and then discuss a few of their favorite moments (7:58).

Support us on Patreon

Check out our merch

Binging ‘Westworld’ | ‘The Bicameral Mind’ S1E10 Rewatch (Ep. 73) Apr 20, 2018

We’re rewatching all 10 episodes of Season 1 in preparation for the Season 2 premiere. Craig and Meredith discuss the epic trolling from Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy (0:55). Then they recap “The Well-Tempered Clavier” (6:53), discuss the episode’s theme: awakening (48:18), and break out the trusty old six shooter and discuss six things you might have missed upon your first viewing (51:03).

Check out our merch!

Binging Westworld | ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’ S1E9 Rewatch (Ep. 72) Apr 19, 2018

We’re rewatching all 10 episodes of Season 1 in preparation for the Season 2 premiere. Craig and Meredith rewatched “The Well-Tempered Clavier” and after giving a synopsis (1:33), they discuss the episode’s theme: suffering (24:47), and break out the trusty old six shooter and discuss six things you might have missed upon your first viewing (31:20).

Check out our merch!

Binging Westworld | ‘Trace Decay’ S1E8 Rewatch (Ep. 71) Apr 18, 2018

We’re rewatching all 10 episodes of Season 1 in preparation for the Season 2 premiere. Craig and Meredith rewatched “Trace Decay” and after giving a synopsis (1:49), they discuss the episode’s theme: pretending (35:04), and break out the trusty old six shooter and discuss six things you might have missed upon your first viewing (39:23).

Check out our merch!

Binging Westworld | ‘Trompe L’Oeil’ S1E7 Rewatch (Ep. 70) Apr 17, 2018

We’re rewatching all 10 episodes of Season 1 in preparation for the Season 2 premiere. Craig and Meredith rewatched “Trompe L’Oeil” and after giving a synopsis (1:51), they discuss the episode’s theme: pretending (31:59), and break out the trusty old six shooter and discuss six things you might have missed upon your first viewing (34:40).

Check out our merch!

Binging Westworld | ‘The Adversary’ S1E6 Rewatch (Ep. 69) Apr 16, 2018

We’re rewatching all 10 episodes of Season 1 in preparation for the Season 2 premiere. Craig, Meredith, and Brian rewatched “The Adversary” and after giving a synopsis (1:40), they discuss the episode’s theme: secrecy (36:35), and break out the trusty old six shooter and discuss six things you might have missed upon your first viewing (39:12).

Check out our merch!

Binging Westworld | ‘Contrapasso’ S1E5 Rewatch (Ep. 68) Apr 13, 2018

We’re rewatching all 10 episodes of Season 1 in preparation for the Season 2 premiere. Craig, Meredith, and Brian rewatched “Contrapasso” and after giving a synopsis (1:41), they discuss the episode’s theme: self-realization (45:22), and break out the trusty old six shooter and discuss six things you might have missed upon your first viewing (48:33).

Check out our sick merch!

Binging Westworld | ‘Dissonance Theory’ S1E4 Rewatch (Ep. 67) Apr 12, 2018

We’re rewatching all 10 episodes of Season 1 in preparation for the Season 2 premiere. Craig, Meredith, and Brian rewatched “Dissonance Theory” and after giving a synopsis (2:24), they discuss the episode’s theme: control (33:36), and break out the trusty old six shooter and discuss six things you might have missed upon your first viewing (37:36).

Check out our exclusive Westworld-inspired merch!

Binging Westworld | ‘The Stray’ S1E3 Rewatch (Ep. 66) Apr 11, 2018

We’re rewatching all 10 episodes of Season 1 in preparation for the Season 2 premiere. Craig and Jake rewatched “The Stray” and after giving a synopsis (3:17), hey discuss the episode’s theme: identity (19:36), and break out the trusty old six shooter and discuss six things you might have missed upon your first viewing (23:51).

Check out our merch!

Binging Westworld | ‘Chestnut’ S1E2 Rewatch (Ep. 65) Apr 10, 2018

We’re rewatching all 10 episodes of Season 1 in preparation for the Season 2 premiere. Craig and Jake rewatched “Chesnut” and after giving a synopsis (1:34), they discuss the episode’s theme: revelation (17:55), and break out the trusty old six shooter and discuss six things you might have missed upon your first viewing (21:33).

Check out our merch!

Binging Westworld | ‘The Original’ S1E1 Rewatch (Ep. 64) Apr 09, 2018

Welcome to our new binge watchers series! We're recapping all ten episodes from Season One. Craig and Jake rewatched “The Original” and after giving a synopsis (3:42), they discuss the episode’s theme: Beneath the Surface (27:03), and break out the trusty old six shooter and discuss six things you might have missed upon your first viewing (30:22).

Check out our merch!

‘Journey Into Night’ S2E1 Leaked! (Ep. 63) Apr 01, 2018

The premiere of Season 2 was leaked! Craig and Jake break down this amazing episode full of incredible surprises.

Check our sick podcast merch!

Season 2 Trailer Discussion (Ep. 62) Mar 30, 2018

HBO dropped another stunning “Westworld” trailer for Season 2. Craig and Brian were excited to break it down. They talk about Bernard’s precarious position, Dolores’ revolution, Maeve looking for her daughter, different time periods, Shogun World, and more!

Check out our podcast merch: https://society6.com/westworldpod

Louis Herthum (aka Peter Abernathy) ‘Westworld’ Season 2 Interview (Ep. 61) Mar 01, 2018

Louis Herthum was one of the breakout stars of “Westworld.” He appeared on our podcast after season one and he’s back to get us excited for season two! We discuss his life since the pilot (2:08), his various projects (3:58), the Super Bowl commercial (12:08), being reunited with the cast (17:19), his “series regular” status (22:12), working with Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy (34:49), working with different directors from episode to episode (39:47), working without green screen (42:36), and more.

Super Bowl ‘Westworld’ Season 2 Trailer (Ep. 60) Feb 05, 2018

For HBO’s first Super Bowl commercial in 20 years, they chose an incredible “Westworld” trailer. Craig and Jake break it down and discuss charging bulls, the Ghost Nation, what their favorite characters are up to, and their favorite moments.

Louis Herthum aka Peter Abernathy Interview (Rebroadcast) Jan 10, 2018

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).

The Religion of ‘Westworld’ (Rebroadcast) Jan 03, 2018

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.

10 Player Piano Covers We Hope to Hear in Season 2 (Rebroadcast) Dec 27, 2017

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.

We've got merch! (Ep. 59) Dec 20, 2017

After months in the works, our merch is finally ready! Craig speaks with the artist Carra Sykes about the inspiration, the process, and the final product. Check out our new Society6 page and click around to find all the amazing products!

‘Godless’ Netflix Mini-series Review Part II (Ep. 58) Dec 13, 2017

The Netflix mini-series “Godless” was so jam-packed, we had to break our review into two parts. Craig and Jake discuss the mysterious German woman (2:46), a Mary Agnes spinoff (5:17), how to define this series (6:21), the town of Blackdom (8:43), subverted expectations (13:42), Frank Griffin and the mythology of the Wild West (15:50), and the lead-up to the final gunfight (24:04).

‘Godless’ Netflix Mini-series Review Part I (Ep. 57) Dec 06, 2017

“Godless” is a new limited series from Netflix. If you liked “Westworld,” would you definitely like “Godless.” It’s a subversive western with a diverse cast and strong, female characters. And we loved it. After making an exciting podcast announcement, Craig and Jake discuss the show’s marketing and the spectrum of female characters (2:56), Alice Fletcher and Roy Goode (22:50), and the gunfights (26:16). Stay tuned for Part II of our review next week.

‘Godless’ Netflix Mini-series Preview (Mini-episode) Nov 29, 2017

An intriguing new miniseries popped up on Netflix recently. From the trailer “Godless” seemed like a subversive new western with bold female characters. Is this a nice holdover until season two of “Westworld?” Does it live up to the billing? Craig gives a preview.

Season One Blu-ray Special Features Review (Ep. 56) Nov 22, 2017

We watched all the special features of the “Westworld” Season One Blu-ray. Craig and Heather talk about the contents of the special edition steel book (2:46), the first week of filming “Westworld” (10:33), how the show’s intro was made (14:43), the music (19:02), the director’s commentary and what they thought was missing (21:00), the inspiration for how the hosts are created (26:52), and the blooper reel (29:01).

Season One Blu-ray Special Features Preview (Mini-episode) Nov 15, 2017

We got our hands on the special edition “Westworld” Season One Ultra HD Blu-ray. One of the great things about having a physical copy of the season is the special features. We’re going to watch them and report back to you. Craig gives you a preview for next week’s full-length review.

‘Blazing Saddles’ 1974 Review (Ep. 55) Nov 08, 2017

When it comes to subverting western tropes (one of the best things about “Westworld”), it doesn't get much better than “Blazing Saddles” (1974). Craig and Jake discuss fun facts about the movie (3:42), their general thoughts on the film (16:15), their favorite moments and lines (18:41), the amazing ending (25:20), Madeline Kahn (30:22), and frontier gibberish (33:03).

This episode comes by the request of Jenna, one of our listeners in Sweden. Thanks for the suggestions, Jenna!

‘Blazing Saddles’ 1974 Preview (Mini-episode) Nov 01, 2017

“Blazing Saddles” (1974) is one of the greatest western satires of all time. Much like “Westworld” it subverts many western tropes—not to mention it’s freakin’ hilarious. This review was requested by one of our listeners from Sweden! Craig gives you a preview.

Our Halloween Special! ‘Tremors’ 1990 Review (Ep. 54) Oct 25, 2017

It's nearing the end of October and that means things are getting spooky. To celebrate the western/horror elements of “Westworld,” we decided to review “Tremors!” Craig, Heather, and Jake discuss the incredible pacing and consistency (3:42), the great characters (11:25), the clear motivations (18:11), the creatures and special FX (21:24), a fun fact (27:21), and their favorite moments (30:23).

‘Tremors’ 1990 Preview (Mini-episode) Oct 18, 2017

It’s October and that means things are getting spooky! If you love the horror western elements of Westworld, you'll love Tremors (1990). Craig, Heather, and Jake give you a preview.

‘Blade Runner 2049’ Review (Ep. 53) Oct 11, 2017

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).

‘Blade Runner 2049’ Preview (Mini-episode) Oct 04, 2017

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.

‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ Official Trailer 2 Review (Mini-episode) Sep 29, 2017

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 Review (Ep. 52) Sep 27, 2017

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).

’Blade Runner’ 1982 Preview (Mini-episode) Sep 20, 2017

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.

Season 2 ‘Westworld’ Updates (Mini-episode) Sep 13, 2017

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’ 2015 Review (Ep. 51) Sep 06, 2017

“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 and our ‘Ex Machina’ 2015 Preview (Mini-episode) Aug 30, 2017

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

‘Jurassic Park’ 1993 Review (Ep. 50) Aug 23, 2017

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).

Jimmi Simpson Returns, Even More New Cast Members, and our ‘Jurassic Park’ 1993 Preview (Mini-episode) Aug 16, 2017

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’ Review (Ep. 49) Aug 09, 2017

“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).

More New Cast Members, Comic-Con, and ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly’ Preview (Mini-episode) Aug 02, 2017

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.”

‘Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman’ Pilot Review (Ep. 48) Jul 26, 2017

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).

‘Westworld’ Season 2 Trailer Discussion (Ep. 47) Jul 24, 2017

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).

New Cast Member Joins ‘Westworld’! + Emmy Nominations and ‘Dr. Quinn’ Preview (Mini-episode) Jul 19, 2017

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.”

‘Black Mirror’ | ‘Be Right Back’ Review (Ep. 46) Jul 12, 2017

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).

Mini-episode: Black Mirror ‘Be Right Back’ Preview Jul 05, 2017

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 aka Peter Abernathy Interview (Ep. 45) Jun 28, 2017

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).

Mini-episode: Louis Herthum aka Peter Abernathy Preview Jun 21, 2017

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.

‘Appaloosa’ 2008 Review (Ep. 44) Jun 14, 2017

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).

Mini-episode: ‘Appaloosa’ 2008 Preview and Podcast Updates Jun 07, 2017

Do you like watching Ed Harris as a cowboy? Good news! There’s a whole movie where he does just that. Craig and Jake will be reviewing “Appaloosa” (2008). Here’s a quick preview along with some news about the podcast.

If you have an HBO subscription, “Appaloosa” is available in the movie library right now for free.

‘The Seven Samurai’ 1954 Review (Ep. 43) May 31, 2017

“The Seven Samurai” (1954) is considered not only one of the greatest samurai films ever but one of the greatest films ever. Craig and Jake discuss the the film’s history and Kurosawa’s brilliance (1:36), our general impressions of the movie (20:05), the use of movement and weather (27:40), the women in the movie (30:12), “13 Assassins” (36:30), their favorite moments (39:47), and Craig’s trip to Japan (43:18).

Mini-episode: ‘The Seven Samurai’ 1954 Preview May 24, 2017

One of the big surprises of the “Westworld” finale was the reveal of what may be Samuraiworld. In honor of that momentous revelation, we are going to review one of the greatest samurai films of all time: “The Seven Samurai” (1954). Here’s the preview.

Interview with Ptolemy Slocum aka Sylvester (Ep. 42) May 17, 2017

Here is our full interview with Ptolemy Slocum aka Sylvester. We discuss his improv background (2:20), how he ended up on “Westworld” and his amazing costume (9:16), his thought process behind the character of Sylvester (14:45), his off-screen friendship with Leonardo Nam (aka Felix) (23:11), what it was like being on the set (27:32), the prevalence of nudity (32:45), working with Thandie Newton (35:19), working with Billy Crystal in the “City Slickers” parody (39:43), a fun behind-the-scenes story (43:39), where he sees his character going in season 2 (46:56), and what it’s like watching as a fan (51:20).

Mini-episode: Interview with Ptolemy Slocum aka Sylvester Preview May 10, 2017

Ptolemy Slocum plays Sylvester, the ornery surgical tech in “Westworld.” Craig was able to interview him. Here’s a short preview of their discussion.

‘East of West, Vol. 1’ Review (Ep. 41) May 03, 2017

“East of West” is an amazing graphic novel series that artfully melds the science fiction and western genres. It’s a great fix if you need something to help hold you over between now and season 2. Craig along with a new voice to the podcast, Wil Heflin, review volume one of the series. They discuss the comic’s background (2:08), Death as a protagonist (9:53), their general impressions (13:22), the artwork (19:55), their favorite moments (26:07), the importance of Image Comics (30:14), and a nod to the small, independent comic shop (38:39).

Mini-episode: ‘East of West, Vol. 1’ Preview Apr 26, 2017

If you have a hankerin’ for more of the science-fiction western genre, pick up a copy of “East of West, Vol. 1.” Created by writer Jonathan Hickman and illustrator Nick Dragotta, “East of West” is an incredible graphic novel series and as soon as you’re finished with the first one, you’ll want to read the rest.

Craig Carter and Wil Heflin, a new voice on the podcast, give you a preview.

Drag Queen Western Review (Ep. 40) Apr 19, 2017

“To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar” (1995) is the drag queen western you never knew you needed. Starring Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo, this mid-90s gem is an amazing genre-bending, gender-bending western.

Craig and Jake discuss facts about the film (6:42), why this movie is a western (13:15), how incredible Swayze, Snipes, and Leguizamo are (18:36), the Robin Williams and Naomi Campbell cameos (19:56), Sherrif “Dullard” (21:58), the faults of the film (31:13), how almost no one realized they were men (41:35), the politics inherent in the film (44:52), and some fun trivia (52:24).

Mini-episode: Drag Queen Western Preview Apr 12, 2017

If you haven’t watched “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar,” do it. It’s the drag queen western you never knew you wanted. Craig and Jake give a preview.

‘Ghost in the Shell’ (2017) Review (Ep. 40) Apr 05, 2017

Craig, Heather, and Jake loved the original “Ghost in the Shell” (1995). And they were excited to see the new one. They discuss exciting Westworld news (:50), the new “Ghost in the Shell” (5:10), spoilers and “The Fate of the Furious” trailer (5:51), comparing the original with the live-action (7:29), the clarity of the film (7:58), the cybernetic enhancements (13:53), the geisha-bots and the spider tank (15:06), the depiction of “the net” (24:08), Kuze and the lack of existential crisis (25:38), Batou, Pilou Asbæk, Togusa, and the garbagemen (34:21), the advertisements (42:35), the big controversy (48:03), connections to Lost in Translation (54:05), and therm-optics and mind-comm (55:34).

‘Westworld’ Season 2 Trailer Leaked! (Ep. 38) Apr 01, 2017

The trailer for season 2 of “Westworld” was leaked! Craig, Jake, and Brian were all able to see it before HBO pulled it down. They recap what they were able to see from the exciting new teaser.

Mini-episode: ‘Ghost in the Shell’ 2017 Preview Mar 29, 2017

We watched the original “Ghost in the Shell” (1995). Now we’re going to watch the new live-action version staring Scarlet Johannson. Craig, Heather, and Jake give you a preview.

‘Ghost in the Shell’ 1995 Review (Ep. 37) Mar 22, 2017

“Ghost in the Shell” is considered one of the great science fiction anime films of all time—and for good reason. Craig, Heather, and Jake got together to review it in anticipation of the new version set to release at the end of March. They discuss facts about the movie and their general impressions (1:40), the film’s influences (8:43), the brilliant animation (14:30), the question of consciousness (19:54), sexuality and gender identity (28:10), favorite moments (36:22), and their thoughts about the 2017 version (45:07).

Mini-episode: ‘Ghost in the Shell’ 1995 Preview Mar 15, 2017

Considered one of the greatest anime films of all-time, “Ghost in the Shell” (1995) is a cyber-punk masterpiece. In anticipation of the modern reinterpretation coming out at the end of March, Craig, Heather, and Jake watched the original. Here’s a preview of their review of the movie.

‘The Revenant’ 2015 Review (Ep. 36) Mar 08, 2017

A modern western classic, “The Revenant” is a must-watch for anyone that’s a fan of the genre. Jake and Craig watched it. They discuss the film’s place among its contemporaries (2:08), the brilliance of Tom Hardy (4:07), why we'd never want to be an 1800s fur trapper (13:50), the bear attack (15:20), the amazing raid scene at the beginning of the movie (22:08), Jake’s experience during his first viewing (31:30), the film’s ridiculous beauty (38:21), the magical realism with a brief break to talk about Glass cauterizing his neck wound (45:44), the Native Americans (53:22), and what makes this movie a western (55:45).

Mini-episode: ‘The Revenant’ (2015) Preview Mar 01, 2017

“The Revenant” is one of the best westerns (no, not the hotel chain) in recent memory. Craig and Jake give a short preview of their discussion of this modern epic.

‘Deadwood’ Pilot Review (Ep. 35) Feb 22, 2017

“Westworld” isn’t HBO’s first foray into westerns. Back in 2004, “Deadwood” premiered and although it didn’t last long, it remains one of the finest western-themed television shows ever made. Craig, Heather, and Brian review the pilot. Hear them talk about the history of the real Deadwood, South Dakota (1:30), facts about the show (9:07), our general thoughts about the pilot episode (16:31), the male characters (22:27), the foul language (25:03), the female characters (27:45), and if you should you watch this show if you liked “Westworld” (37:00).

Mini-episode: ‘Deadwood’ Pilot Preview Feb 15, 2017

Did you know “Westworld” isn’t HBO’s only western series? In 2004, “Deadwood” premiered to critical acclaim. Unfortunately, it only lasted three seasons, but it remains one of the great television shows depicting the American frontier in the late 1800s. Craig, Heather, and Brian reviewed the pilot episode. Here’s a preview.

Interview with Hollywood Sculptor Nick Marra (Ep. 34) Feb 08, 2017

Remember the Yul Brynner Easter egg in episode six “The Adversary”? Nick Marra is the artist who created that statue. A special FX artist for over two decades, Nick has incredible stories and we got to hear a bunch of them. Learn how he came to create the Yul Brynner statue, how it ended up in “Westworld,” and how a love of movies shaped his career.

Mini-episode: Hollywood Sculptor Nick Marra Preview Feb 01, 2017

Remember the Yul Brynner cameo in episode six, “The Adversary?” Nick Marra made that possible.

He created an amazing sculpture of Yul Brynner’s gunslinger character from the original 1973 Westworld. Here’s a preview of our interview with him.

‘Wild Wild West’ 1999 Review (Ep. 33) Jan 25, 2017

“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).

Mini-episode: ‘Wild Wild West’ 1999 Preview Jan 18, 2017

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.

The Religion of ‘Westworld’ (Ep. 32) Jan 11, 2017

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.

Mini-episode: The Religion of ‘Westworld’ Preview Jan 04, 2017

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!

10 Player Piano Covers We Hope to Hear in Season 2 (Ep. 31) Dec 21, 2016

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.

Mini-episode: Player Piano Covers Preview Dec 19, 2016

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.

‘Westworld’ Season One in Retrospect (Ep. 30) Dec 14, 2016

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.

Mini-episode: ‘Westworld’ Season One in Retrospect Preview Dec 12, 2016

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.

‘The Bicameral Mind’ S1E10 Deep Dive Part II (Ep. 29) Dec 09, 2016

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.

‘The Bicameral Mind’ S1E10 Deep Dive Part I (Ep. 28) Dec 08, 2016

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.

Evan Rachel Wood’s Rolling Stone Interview (Ep. 27) Dec 07, 2016

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.”

‘The Bicameral Mind’ S1E10 Quick Review (Ep. 26) Dec 05, 2016

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).

‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’ S1E9 Deep Dive (Ep. 25) Dec 01, 2016

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).

‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’ Quick Review (Ep. 24) Nov 28, 2016

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).

‘Trace Decay’ S1E8 Deep Dive (Ep. 23) Nov 24, 2016

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).

‘Trace Decay’ S1E8 Quick Review (Ep. 22) Nov 21, 2016

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).

‘Trompe L’oeil’ S1E7 Deep Dive (Ep. 21) Nov 17, 2016

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).

‘Trompe L’oeil’ S1E7 Quick Review (Ep. 20) Nov 14, 2016

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).

‘The Adversary’ S1E6 Deep Dive (Ep. 19) Nov 10, 2016

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).

‘The Adversary’ S1E6 Quick Review (Ep. 18) Nov 07, 2016

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).

‘Contrapasso’ S1E5 Deep Dive Part II (Ep. 17) Nov 03, 2016

Craig, Jake, and Brian further explore episode five of “Westworld,” “Contrapasso.” In part two, they discuss El Lazo’s compelling offer (0:34), Elsie’s suspicions (1:50), the orgy and the argument (7:51), Dolores visiting the fortune teller (14:22), nitro and Confederados (20:02), the time traveling train part I (25:21), smiling Logan (27:13), the time traveling train part II (29:29), The Man in Black and Dr. Ford (30:46), the holy crap ending (36:41), and Brian’s amazing skateboarding adventure (45:46).

‘Contrapasso’ S1E5 Deep Dive Part I (Ep. 16) Nov 03, 2016

Craig, Jake, and Brian dive deep into episode five of “Westworld,” “Contrapasso.” In part one of a two-part series, they discuss Ford and Bill's little talk and the greyhound symbol (2:42), cemeteries and safety coffins (6:31), our first visit to Pariah (11:14), The Man in Black and Lawrence (14:58), the livestock department (19:41), The Man in Black and Teddy (25:57), Dolores’ vision and her visit with Ford (31:15), Felix, the bird, and the concept of blue-collar surgeons (41:51), El Lazo, timelines, and Host on guest violence (46:41), and the convoy (57:45).

‘Contrapasso’ S1E5 Quick Review (Ep. 15) Oct 31, 2016

Craig and Jake share their favorite moments from the incredible mid-season episode “Contrapasso.” They discuss Dolores writing her own story (2:56) and the heart-to-heart between Dr. Ford and The Man in Black (9:49).

‘Dissonance Theory’ S1E4 Deep Dive (Ep. 14) Oct 27, 2016

Craig, Heather, and Jake get together to dive deep into episode four of “Westworld,” “Dissonance Theory.” They discuss another one of Bernard and Dolores’ little talks (3:05), Maeve’s vision (12:40), Theresa, Elsie, and office politics (19:47), William, Logan, and the family stakes (26:10), The Man in Black and his obsession with snakes (29:22), Dolores’ flashbacks (35:29), The Man in Black and the prison break (40:33), Armistice and her amazing tattoo (51:01), Maeve and the shades (54:52), Theresa, Bernard, and body language (58:40), Ford being 10 steps ahead of everyone (1:03:08), Logan and William (1:08:04), Teddy lives! (1:08:55), Logan and William and Pariah (1:09:55), the final act and the magic bullet (1:11:43), and the theory of the week (1:20:00).

‘Dissonance Theory’ S1E4 Quick Review (Ep. 13) Oct 24, 2016

Craig, Heather, and Jonathan give their initial impressions on the fourth episode of “Westworld,” “Dissonance Theory.” They discuss the exciting jailbreak (4:00), Maeve's disturbing vision (7:49), and Ford’s power move (11:02).

‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ Trailer Review (Ep. 12) Oct 21, 2016

Sheriff Craig is back (briefly) to talk about “Red Dead Redemption 2.” The trailer was only one minute long, but that was more than enough to impress.

‘The Stray’ S1E3 Deep Dive (Ep. 11) Oct 20, 2016

We dive deep into episode three of Westworld: “The Stray.” Craig Carter, Heather Barefoot, and Jake Ratliff discuss Dolores and Bernard’s little talk (1:16), Elsie’s workplace struggles (3:23), William and Logan's relationship (5:43), a female guest with a gun (7:50), Teddy’s purpose and how it affects Dolores (8:58), loops and constellations (18:14), the Wyatt narrative (22:45), Arnold and the bicameral mind (24:32), Ford’s low blow (34:52), sending Dolores down the rabbit hole (38:24), Stubbs and strays (48:15) and the theory of the week [WARNING: potential spoilers!] (55:28).

‘The Stray’ S1E3 Quick Review (Ep. 10) Oct 17, 2016

Time for a quick review of episode three of “Westworld”: “The Stray.” Craig Carter, Jonathan Yeomans, and Heather Barefoot discuss what it must be like getting shot in the park (1:36), Dr. Robert Ford’s swanky office (4:11), and Dolores’ ability to improvise (11:30).

‘Chestnut’ S1E2 Deep Dive (Ep. 09) Oct 13, 2016

Craig Carter is joined by his friends Jake Ratliff and Heather Barefoot. They dive deep into episode two “Chestnut.” They discuss Dolores’ midnight stroll (3:20), William and Logan’s arrival at Westworld (5:17), trouble in Delos (17:43), “these violent delights...” (20:39), hats and trains (23:16), The Man in Black and Lawrence (28:20), Maeve and her “faults” (32:11), getting acquainted with the Devil (37:50), William and Logan in the park (41:45), war and historical inaccuracies (42:49), Dolores and Bernard (49:13), 20% more aggression (53:36), Theresa and Bernard and corporate (55:56), Logan stabbing things and making William uncomfortable (58:47), is sleeping with a robot cheating? (1:04:44), the workshop (1:08:25), The Man in Black and Lawrence Part II (1:12:14), Ford and mini-Ford (1:20:06), Bernard and Theresa and coitus (1:23:25), Maeve's nightmare (1:25:42), Dolores' second midnight stroll (1:36:32), Odyssey on Red River (1:37:03), and a new segment: Theory of the Week! (1:42:15).

‘Chestnut’ S1E2 Quick Reaction (Ep. 08) Oct 10, 2016

HBO released the second episode of “Westworld” early on HBO GO. That means we have an episode for you early as well! Craig and Jake give their initial thoughts on “Chestnut” (1:40), The Man in Black showing us the intricacies of the park (2:44), and Odyssey on Red River (8:22).

‘The Original’ S1E1 Deep Dive (Ep. 07) Oct 06, 2016

Craig and Jake dive deeper into the first episode of “Westworld.” They discuss Jake’s love of westerns and their impact on American culture (1:30), our introduction to Dolores, Teddy, and the park (4:15), the purpose of the hosts (13:40), the inner workings of the park (15:00), meeting Dr. Robert Ford and how they made the robots seem like robots (22:45), the small changes that have huge ripples (28:24), what it's like being a guest and empathy (33:04), park bureaucracy and Core Code (35:50), being affected by the outside world and families (41:24), the politics of Delos (45:30), programmed racism (48:28), robot errors and technological advancements (50:00), the Ford namesake (54:26), the third day (57:36), the shootout (59:42), Peter Abernathy and Shakespeare (1:01:05), what the Man in Black is up to (1:13:45), and the Delores theory (1:14:55).

‘The Original’ S1E1 Quick Reaction (Ep. 06) Oct 03, 2016

It's finally here! Craig and Jonathan talk about the series premiere of “Westworld.” They discuss their general impressions and their favorite moments.

‘Westworld’ Hype Series Part II (Ep. 05) Sep 29, 2016

It's time to get hype again! (Jamaican airhorn) In part two of our hype series, Craig, Jonathan, and Brian discuss: what exactly is Delos? (1:40), are we going to see other parks? (4:40), the cinematography (8:25), the set design (12:08), the visual effects (13:20), the music (14:13), Ed Harris as a villain (16:20), how will we know who is a robot? (20:20), and JJ Abrams Easter eggs (24:00). Also, Brian is going on a special trip so tune in after the outro to hear about it.

‘Westworld’ Hype Series Part I (Ep. 04) Sep 22, 2016

It's time to get hype about “Westworld!” (Jamaican airhorn) In part one of a two part series, Craig, Jonathan, and Brian discuss what they're most anticipating with the upcoming season. Listen to hear them talk about the most absurd HBO connected universe theory (1:40), how can HBO turn the concept into multiple seasons? (4:15), one of the most mysterious scenes from the teaser trailer (7:10), robot romance (8:20) [WARNING: there are spoilers about the movie Her from 9:10-9:25], what exactly is West World? (10:10), the potential memes and cultural impact (13:00), the breakout star we’ve never heard of (15:57), Evan Rachel Wood (19:05), Anthony Hopkins finally back in a great project (19:42), and the weird Delos Terms and Conditions (22:22).

‘Westworld’ Season One Teaser Trailer Discussion (Ep. 03) Sep 14, 2016

When we first saw the trailer for “Westworld,” we had no idea what we were watching. Now that we've seen the original 1973 movie, we have a somewhat better idea of what the show is going to be about. So we decided to go back and watch the original trailer and see if we could make sense of it.

Listen to our initial impressions when we first saw the trailer (2:30), our scene-by-scene breakdown (6:10) [Warning: Craig has theories, lots of them!], and our podcasting schedule leading up to and through the first season of the show (45:00).

‘Westworld’ 1973 Movie Review (Ep. 02) Sep 06, 2016

Craig Carter, Jonathan Yeomans, and Brian Sutorious review the 1973 film “Westworld.” We discuss the history of the film (0:52), our general thoughts (2:52), recap the movie (4:08), talk about the ground-breaking special effects (39:34), the film’s success (42:08), the deleted scenes (43:20), and the crazy ending (44:38).

Welcome to Westworld The Podcast (Ep. 01) Sep 06, 2016

Exciting times, everyone! Our very first episode of Westworld The Podcast! Meet hosts Craig Carter and Jonathan Yeomans and learn what we'll be talking about in our first full-length episode.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected