Westworld (TV Series) Trace Decay (2016) User Reviews

The House Always Wins

[ThomasDrufke · 9/10 · 21 November 2016]

If anyone thought Westworld would slow down after last week's big reveal, I think this episode shut down those thoughts. Not only did we get serious development within Maeve's storyline, the timelines theory was confirmed (for the most part).

I think it's been widely assumed that there were two timelines for a long time now, but it was debatable whether those timelines would result in William and Man in Black (Mib) being the same person. We didn't get a flat-out confirmation that was the case, but the imagery and dialogue throughout the night seemed to indicate that. Both William and MiB have been on a trek through the outskirts of Westworld for a few episodes now, and both trips came to a halt.

There's reason to believe now that maybe William isn't really with Dolores at all, or at least, Dolores' memory seems to lead her down that route. She continues to see things that aren't there and have mental breakdown's when things go bad. If only Dolores can meet up with present day Maeve and figure her sh*t out, because you know the latter would help. Meanwhile, MiB and Teddy's trip to the maze/Wyatt got interrupted a few times. Teddy, like Dolores and Maeve, is having flashes of his previous narrative. You have to wonder if Teddy's death could spell the end for his character this season, I'm not sure what else this guy is eating up screen time for. The two also ran into what I can only assume is a bunch of Wyatt's men?

Maeve is the best character on the show at this point. She has terrified Sylvester to the point of near death, and manipulated Felix to give her god-like powers inside the park. Seriously, how cool was it to see her control other hosts inside the park? As much as I would love to see her do that to some of the maniacal humans back at Westworld headquarters, this will have to do for now. Also, who will join her army? Will she succeed in leaving? Or will her ultimate plan fall as flat as Dolores' plan in the past?

So we got progress in all story lines without revealing everything, I'd say that's one smart episode by way of HBO. But I'm going to need more than just a story from The Man in Black next week, I would like a William reveal.

+Two timelines

+Maeve controlling hosts

+Progress everywhere

9.0/10

As some grow closer to the maze, you realize it isn't just this mystical place in the park but it may just be the park itself.

[Amari-Sali · 8/10 · 21 November 2016]

After watching this episode and not rushing into the recap/ review and just letting my thoughts simmer, I realize what my issue is with this show and maybe even Humans. They aren't so much about their characters as they are prepping for twists. With that, the characters, while developed in terms of backstory, it is hard to get an emotional connection. Add on the focus is split so widely and it makes it so all you can focus on is the general story. Which, while there are constant attempts to freshen it up utilizing the talent on the show, I must admit I still don't get the hype.

For more on episode 8 "Trace Decay" look below.

Main Plot (with Commentary)

Dolores & William

As Ford has told us, Dolores was one of the originals. Now, whether or not she was one of Arnold's originals or Ford's, that I can't say. What is known, though, and as we also see with Maeve and Teddy, is that old memories may have become faded through formatting, but they are still there. With that, Dolores sees an old town, one in which, like Teddy, she finds herself to be the Wyatt of the town murdering indiscriminately and though these visions aren't clear or absolute, it scares the hell out of her.

Though all things considered, The Man In Black told Ford what their world lacked was a true villain. So who better to play that role than the woman you'd never suspect?

The Man In Black & Teddy

Teddy's memories return of watching The Man In Black drag Dolores to a barn and he puts the pieces together from there. With that, he knocks MIB out and so begins the confessions of Mr. Flood (assuming that is his name based on what Ford says in episode 5). Which leads to perhaps the most boring and tired song and dance of his impression that he was a good man but his wife knew otherwise. For, if you remember from episode 4, Mr. Flood noted he is a philanthropist and we are told his organization has saved lives. Yet it seems the villain of Sweetwater is his true nature and the reason his wife killed herself and daughter refuses to see him.

But whether or not this is BS is hard to tell. For while the hosts can't kill him until they are in the far outer ring, where Ford's game ends and Arnold's begins, Mr. Flood doesn't seem like the type who likes being in a submissive position. Perhaps why it seems the main people we see him towering over and tormenting are women.

Ford, Bernard, and Maeve

It's unclear how many people Bernard has killed for his master, but as universally it seems the memory wipes are losing their effect, it seems the formerly dependable Bernard may one day turn on his master. Though it remains unclear if even those conscious can break past hearing Ford's commands. However, considering Maeve now has a similar power, thanks to Felix, it seems the god of Sweetwater and Westworld may have to deal with an up and coming goddess.

Highlights

It's Trying To Bring Deeper Meaning To Things

To me, this is mindless entertainment but I think part of the reason I'm thinking such is because I'm hearing vs. listening. For Ford's words dealing with how man is as much as in a loop as the hosts, while not on the level of a Mr. Robot monologue, at the same time it did have me thinking. Leaving me to wonder as I sort of just watched this program because I enjoy the actors did I miss more than I picked up on?

Criticism

Can't Connect

As some of the movie reviews show, I can be a blubbering mess especially if it comes to broken families, rejection, losing the one thing worth living for and etc. So between Maeve and Mr. Flood (we're just going to stick with that for now and likely forget it next Monday), you'd think between Maeve reliving her losing her child to Mr. Flood talking about losing his family, it would have some sort of effect. Especially since Maeve's daughter was murdered. Yet, there comes that issue noted in the intro. We learn these bits of backstory but even with the talent of the actors, with things spread so thin and details thrown to us like scraps, it's hard to get the emotional investment needed to feel something. You may feel sad, recognize how horrible something is, but to weep and get a real emotional reaction? I'm finding it hard with each and every character no matter their tale.

Less Action than Usual

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 21 January 2018]

Bernard discusses with Dr. Ford asking why he forced him to kill his beloved Theresa. Later her body is found as if she had had an accident and Dr. Ford confronts Charlotte, telling that Theresa and a technician had altered Clementine´s code and Bernard assumes an important position in Westworld. Dolores and William arrive at a town where she has strange daydreams. He decides to take her back to Sweetwater but they stumble upon Logan and a group of Confederate soldiers. Meanwhile Teddy and the Man in Black continue their dangerous search for Wyatt.

"Trace Decay" is an episode with less action than usual, but still it is great. Dr. Ford is a manipulative and dangerous man. Dolores raises more questions with her intriguing moments. Where the journey of Teddy and the Man in Black will lead them? My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Trace Decay"

Those who vote Westworld as awful (1) should be deleted

[kataleja-martyr · 10/10 · 21 November 2016]

If the majority voted the episodes with 10(exellent) how could those who voted 1(awful) be taken seriously. It's obviously they have some other reason rather than be objective about the Westworld episodes. I would understand if the average grade is between 3 or 4 but this isn't the case here. We are talking one of the best series EVER. Awful(1) voters are simply haters which votes should be deleted. Do someone honestly believe the Westworld series is awful. I don't think so. I never voted any movie or episode as awful. Is there any series at all with the majority of awful(1) votes? I thought so. Send this haters home. They don't belong here.

Westworld: Trace Decay

[WubsTheFadger · 9/10 · 5 January 2018]

Short and Simple Review by WubsTheFadger

Once again, Westworld delivers a great episode. Thandie Newton, Anthony Hopkins, James Marsden, and Evan Rachel Wood all perform perfectly.

The pacing is a little slow but this episode furthers Maeve's story line even further. Ed Harris' character also gets more screen time which is awesome.

Pros: Great acting, Maeve's story line and Ed Harris' story line

Cons: Slower pacing

Overall Rating: 9.0/10

"How would you like me to proceed?"

[big_brother_1984 · 21 November 2016]

Westworld has excellent story writing with the whole season in mind. With only three eps to go, this means that things have to get wrapped up. Even in the golden age of TV and with the bliss of a 10-hour story instead of just 45mins, this is bound to happen.

And like the end of a holiday, this feels sad, now you know what's around that mountain and there's less to imagine. But what's the alternative - watching paint dry in endless mystery until cancellation (like Carnivale) or end-of-the-season rush with everything crammed into the last ep (like some of GoT)?

With a lot of revelations done, we're bound to see some "Westworld movie" carnage - and it shows the writers' self-confidence to delay it for so long. But the remaining eps now have enough time for what's so amazing about the series: the story of how to be be truly alive.

Last not least, there's brilliant acting apart from the clever "flagship" choice Anthony Hopkins. While Yul Brynner simply had the job to look robotic, former backbench actors like Thandie Newton excel at making the whole range of emotions credible. Go, Arnold, go!

Time to rewrite my real f*king story

[mgidb · 8/10 · 25 August 2019]

It's time to recruit my army Maeve said so there will be more robots with multiple malfunctioning. War is coming between dumb human beings and AI human made Arnold's game deeper more than For

Good episode

[851222 · 9/10 · 28 November 2016]

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Trace Decay" was another good episode of "Westworld", but which yet again revealed so little, and with each small revelations comes new questions. Yet i do enjoy this show not so much for a mystery, but more for a great settings, involving story overall, great actor doing their good jobs. Script nevertheless isn't that great, and sometimes this show suffers from a bit repetitive exchanges or even some filler scenes.

That said, i do enjoy this show overall, as well as i enjoyed this episode, which ended very intriguingly and with a kinda cliffhanger. Good episode overall.

Good, but too much explaining of what's going on

[cherold · 8/10 · 21 November 2016]

One of the things I have really liked about Westworld is it gives you this complex system and a bunch of possibilities and lets you do the world of figuring out what's going on and what the author's intent is. Very little was made explicit.

That changed with this episode. There's a very specific discussion of the nature of consciousness and Ford's views, and the Man in Black tells his story.

For some people, it's probably nice to get some answers, but for me there were too many answers too quickly. Yes, there are still puzzling things, we still don't know what the maze is, Dolores seems to be going off the deep end and Maeve has a moment of glory.

So there was a lot of good in the episode, but for me it was less satisfying because too much was freely given, making it the least challenging episode of the season.

Excellent episode

[Alexa_123 · 9/10 · 25 November 2016]

That was a good episode. Lots of information explained and we get to know Man in Black's story. For a little while now Maeve steals the show. She manipulates, she charms and she reveals what a host can really do when he/she is out of human control. I can't wait for developments on Bernard and Ford. A relationship that changed dramatically after learning Bernard was a host himself. Is he going to follow Maeve?

NEGATIVE PART (and the reason there's no 10 here): Dolores's memory was the first interesting thing we see about her in a while. Besides that there's nothing interesting about her in the last episodes.

I didn't expect that! (possible spoiler warning)

[junebug1701 · 9/10 · 21 November 2016]

After watching this episode (Trace Decay) I felt it brought up more questions than it did answers. If Delores is seeing a thriving town in the past, and the ruins of a church steeple in the present, then is she in the past or the present? We know the old steeple is in the present because Ford was showing it to others as part of a new narrative he was writing. But what I didn't expect was the spoiler listed under the PLOT heading on the episode page. Here is what caught my eye: Bernard accesses the rules of Arnold's game and makes some modifications of his own as he teams up with Maeve in an attempt to become co-rulers of the park. Dr. Ford, attempts to transfer his consciousness into a host. Full summary » OOPS! That doesn't sound like the episode I watched. Obviously, this must be the plot summary for the next episode! Or perhaps the season finale? Thanks for the spoiler, eye em Dee bee!

Nice

[pablomrtp · 8/10 · 24 March 2021]

The weakest of the latest episode of the season still being good for isn't comparable to episodes 6,7,9,10 it is pretty good though

Security decay

[tenshi_ippikiookami · 7/10 · 11 December 2016]

This eight episode centers on Maeve and the work 'she' is doing to make 'its' revolution happen. Thandie Newton is doing a great job in the show, but again, the security of the place just plainly (and sadly) points to the wholes in the plot and the writing in "Westworld". It just doesn't make sense, even if you have Ford or Bernard or someone working on the lines erasing security videos and helping Maeve (not that the show hints that this is what is happening, but it could be). It just takes the viewer from the story that there is so little consistency in respect to this point.

The rest of the story-lines take a step back. We still have Dolores and William trying to get wherever Dolores wants to get, Teddy and Man In Black on their wanderings searching for Wyatt, and Ford and Bernard conversations. All interesting enough, but a little bit slow-paced. There is a problem with shows that pile mystery over mystery, and play with the timeline and what's real and not, and it's that sometimes it's hard to keep the level and to answer questions instead of just putting more and more questions one on top of another till it all becomes a big bloated mess.

For now, "Westworld", though, is still delivering the goods.

Starting to lose my belief in this show

[mitchbestenlehner · 3/10 · 27 July 2022]

All shows or movies have one thing to do. That is to suspend our disbelief. Most of the story lines are great and I can see it, with one exception:

The plot line with Maeve is just ridiculous. I like all the other plot lines going, but i started to notice a ton of cracks in the story with Maeve

1- she just knows from the iPad exactly where to go?

2- she threatened to kill both the techs but there are so many instances where they could over power her or shut her down. The threat is empty handed. They could always go report it when she's at the park.

3- her code gives her all these new abilities? Etc.

4 - how is there no cameras or anyone else notice that she's malfunctioning? I would think that if these things are so valuable that the analysts would notice something. Etc.

Show, don't tell

[TheDonaldofDoom · 25 December 2019]

Okay, one issue I have to admit exists here is that the rule mentioned to Lee Sizemore - show, don't tell - is violated by the episode itself. On one level, I can see why. In Bernard's case, now that we have found out who he is it would make sense to hear more of his backstory. But there could have been a more subtle way of telling it, and we didn't need to see him attacking Elsie when we could guess he had done it. In the Man in Black's case, the monologue he gives about his backstory is linked to Teddy's newfound ability to commit violence, as it's only when under threat that he explains. But still, it feels a bit cheap that hid backstory was held back like this until this point, to make him more intriguing, and only now does he explain. Yes, there is the bigger, more shocking reveal in episode 10, but still. And yet, finding out his backstory works in creating sympathy for him, and while it reveals some cards it leaves others hidden, making it possible to work out who he really is but not making obvious. The MiB's reaction to seeing Angela is a neat, massive hint though. The kind that is easy to miss the first time but stares you in the face the second time. With Bernard too, the amount of his backstory revealed is limited, and there is more to discover. So in the scheme of things, this isn't a big issue but a nitpick.

William and Dolores don't get loads of screentime in this episode, but what they do get is significant. We notice William's subtle progression towards the Man in Black in his unconvincing response to Dolores's belief that suffering should always be alleviated, no matter what. And it's just plain fun to spend time with them, in the beautiful wilderness of the park.

Maeve, too, gets good development. She's becoming more brutal and she's using her powers to her advantage; the scene in which she controls the hosts around her to achieve what she wants is incredible.

NEVER FAILS TO DISAPPOINT!!!

[williamwarfielddavis · 10/10 · 8 February 2021]

Maeve's self-discovery continues, and Ed Harris vs. Anthony Hopkins helps make this so exciting as you can tell with this being the last of three episodes in the first season it is starting to HEAT UP! You can tell is starting to build to a crescendo or climax, and I doubt anyone binge watching at this point would be able to stop until the end of season one!!! I sure was not able!

Slow but deep

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 23 December 2022]

Another slower episode, building to the climax by this point. It's interesting to see the Ed Harris and Jeffrey Wright characters presented in a different light to how we've usually been seeing them in this series. Things slow down to a crawl at this point, but this allows for some further plans to take shape, particularly Thandie Newton's sub-plot which continues to impress and entertain. The western action scenes still seem to me to be a little incongruous, but they in no way hurt the show. The depth and character detail remains strong even if the sense of urgency is missing at this point. More please!

Mucky Build-Up

[theminorityreporter · 16 June 2019]

The repair techs just giving the brothel madam administrative privileges to the computer system and then hatching a belated plan to wipe her out, followed by the 'humane' tech assisting her still against the urging of his coworker are all implausible (she's still just a naked robot who could be overpowered and dismantled at the first opportunity, and all of the scenes in which they assisted her in the past were unsupported by logic just as these scenes are). And having given her administrative privileges, either one of them could simply undo her changes at any convenient time. Her cutting the throat of one of the repair techs is supposed to validate the whole thing by finally proving how 'impressive' she is, even against humans, but it's just the display of a violent act that she shouldn't have any capacity for to begin with, except owing to that same long stream of bad logic. Before cutting the tech's throat she says that even at a 14 (for intelligence) he was never a match for her - an attempt by the authors to 'prove' her superiority after illegitimately plotting it; having her simply just claim that she's in a position to judge (unless she's describing his emotional age, in which case she's still half wrong because they're about equal). Adding to the falsehood, the player is very often wearing color contacts - her eyes may be different colors from one scene to the next or even from one shot to the next. It's still just a gimmicky, distracting veneer over the player's eyes that gives an impression of vacuous monotony. The flimsiness of the premise, the pretense in the writing, and the gimmicky production tactics in all of these scenes will undermine my acceptance of the character's story going forward.

We revisit the Sub-level 83 necro-nude robot repository for an 'apology': "this shouldn't make you uncomfortable... even the dead fulfill a purpose" alluding here to loading a dead person up with something (data). Dead bodies don't fulfill a purpose to the living and the concept is indefensible. It's also not plausible that the sick-minded script writer would be uncomfortable to begin with; he's been gross from the start and although the unease that he's evidently feeling is warranted, it's radically out of character for him. We're supposed to believe that this is where he draws the line because it's an appropriate line to draw, but it's just not likely that someone who's been shown drawing up scenarios of self-cannibalism would have much moral trepidation here.

In a languidly overdramatized scene designed to be an emotionally harrowing show of a woman's dedication to her child, the brothel madam's more wholesome 'Madonna' identity runs with her child into their ranch home - a bloody cut across her forehead after escaping being scalped. Hunkering down to the floor with a shotgun, her hair forms a smear on the wall above her as they wait, watching the door. The man in black ominously enters the room and deeply stabs the woman with his big knife and then shoots her little girl with his absurdly big gun. The little girl is shown graphically in a pool of blood (insultingly, we're supposed to believe we were spared because we didn't see her shot, and his narration is meant to distract with impressions about what he was feeling (or not feeling)). The woman then pulls the knife excruciatingly from her abdomen and cuts the man's throat fairly superficially with it, running desperately then with the child in her arms before dropping to the ground. Reminiscing about the scene, the man in black says the woman was truly alive during this experience, but this reflective notion is false. All of the action here still falls within given parameters of the robot experience in the park and the woman made no lasting impact on the man's constitution or ability to resume as he always does; she's ultimately reassigned as any host might be. Back at headquarters she is shown to suffer traumatic stress after the event, and that too is presented to the viewer as a source of fascination and dramatic authenticity, feeding into an ongoing thematic appraisal of extremely negative states as the true source of life and experience. This theme is always combined with betrayal and/or disappointment arising from any encounters or relationships that could have positive potential. Although I'd like to involve myself in the story of the woman and her child, it looks like emotional blackmail meant to bolster the dramatic credibility of the show, and I'm unlikely to have any greater appreciation for the Madonna side of the stereotyped female character than I do the Hooker; they're just two sides of the same woman being smeared. Also, anything to do with kids here is likely to go south - it always does.

In a scene in town, the brothel madam flashes-back to the experience with the child and the man in black and kills one of her prostitutes in the street. There's lots of vicious throat cutting in this show.