Friday 3 August 2018

Westworld — Series 1 — Episodes 1 and 2: The Original and Chestnut

2nd August, 2018.


Right … 

I’ve got to admit to spending a frantic minutes, there: posting to Apple’s community support forums.

I’m having an issue.

For the past few hours, and using Safari 11.1.2, on a recent model iMac, running macOS High Sierra, 10.13.6?

Every time I go near Facebook, I get a message telling me “This webpage is using significant memory.   Closing it may improve your Mac’s responsiveness.”

Yes, before you ask: I’ve cleared both my caches and my history.

And no, it doesn’t happen when I use the ever reliable Firefox.

I’m blowed If I know what’s happening.

If there’s anyone out there who’s got at least half a clue, I’d appreciate hearing about it!



It’s mildly frustrating.

~≈§≈~

That aside?

You’ve possibly realised — or possibly haven’t — that I’ve had a day off, today.

I’ve got a few bits done around the house.

Although less than I’d like.

One disadvantage of being single?

Is there’s no-one around to help do the chores.

To be frank, I thin I’d possibly hire a cleaner … if I had the dosh.

There is always that last bit you can’t be bothered to wipe, frankly.

At ANY rate?

I will probably have a chance to do more, tomorrow: as I’ve another day off.

Tonight?

I fancied catching something that’s been tempting me for a while.


The first series of the HBO series, if you’re wondering, rather than the film it takes a cue from.

Going on these two episodes?

I think tempting is the right word …

~≈§≈~

Episode 1The Original — introduces us to Westworld: an artificially created park home to ‘hosts’: artificial humanoids, designed purely to entertain.   

But programmed — by the likes of Dr Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins) and Bernard (Jeffrey Wright) — to not harm humans.

There’s problems.

One of the hosts, Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) who seems to be learning how to dream.

And a mysterious Man in Black — (Ed Harris) — who seems to be after … something

Episode 2Chestnut — sees first time visitor, William and Logan, a veteran guest (Jimmi Simpson and Ben Barnes) visiting the park.

Logan is keen to … get heavily involved with the sex And drugs and rock and roll, whilst William?   More keen to explore.

Dolores, meanwhile?  Is having flashback to earlier loops.

Including ones where the park’s operators set up a massacre in Sweetwater, to remove malfunctioning hosts.

And?   Manages to whisper a phrase to Mæve (Thandiwe Newton) … 

That give Mæve flashbacks, too … 

~≈§≈~

Now … tempted

Tempted, I hear you ask … 

“What ARE you blathering about?”

Going on these first too episodes, I’m am tempted to watch more.

We’re looking at a fascinating drama that treats artificial humanoids much as Humans.

Except, where Humans treats Synths as domestic servants, Westworld treats them as entertainment: doomed to repeat themselves, and only becoming sentient, when they start to remember.

Frankly?

I’m tempted to watch more: Westworld seems to have more meat on its bones that a lot of what I’ve been watching.

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