User reviews

Even though we didn't get any new material with Dolores, William, or Logan, "The Adversary" was a worthy episode of Westworld. And one that particularly advanced the plot probably more so than any other this season. Heck, even The Man in Black wasn't the focus this week.

Maeve left off last week in a surprisingly powerful position as she woke up in Felix's hands back at headquarters on purpose. I have to reinstate the fact that I feel weird rooting for robots against humanity, but when you see what Maeve and many of the other hosts have been through, it's the only logical choice. Maeve basically had to get "raped" in order to be in a place of power, that's some messed up sh*t. But just as beautifully tragic was watching her go through the revelation that she is in fact a host. It was effortlessly complemented by a nice music choice from Ramin Djawadi.

At the same time as all that craziness, Bernard and Elsie took further steps into finding out about all the peculiar anomalies around the park. Of course, it's not all that surprising to see that the house Bernard found was in fact something controlled by Ford. What is unusual is that Ford is keeping host versions of himself and family alive. This struck a strange balance of creepiness and beauty for me. I mean, how disturbed is Ford?

Elsie discovered that not only is Ford in on this, but so is Theresa. This happens, perhaps uncoincidentally, in the same episode that Bernard and Theresa ended their work-place fling. I would find it hard to believe we wouldn't see the death of Elsie on screen, but it sure doesn't look good for her. Should we suspect her capture is from anyone but Arnold at this point? There were plenty of things from last week that could have been directly addressed this week, but I enjoyed the break from tourists and instead an episode focused on those working on the behind the scenes. And boy do we have some shady stuff going on back there.

+Maeve's journey and discovery

+Djawadi

+Revelation about Ford

+Change of pace

9.0/10

Maeve interacts with Felix and convinces him to take a tour through the facility with her. The he asks him to increase her intelligence and mental capacity. Elsie gives the satellite link device to Bernard and he decides to visit Sector 17 where he finds Ford family home. Out of the blue, Ford comes and explains that he created his family using first generation hosts for sentimental reason. Meanwhile Elsie investigates the espionage system and she goes to an abandoned building discovering that Theresa Cullen is the spy. Teddy rides with the Man in Black and they are attacked and captured by Union soldiers after a shooting. Theresa breaks her relationship with Bernard.

"The Adversary" is another excellent episode of "Westworld" with new mysteries and intriguing situations. What Maeve will do with the increasing power is the great question of this show. The revelation that the powerful Theresa Cullen is a spy is also intriguing. In addition, the action is great in this episode. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "The Adversary"

Short and Simple Review by WubsTheFadger

This episode is one of the best in the series so far. Ed Harris, Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, James Marsden, and Jeffery Wright all do a great job. Thandie Newton gives the best performance. Her character has a number of amazing scenes. We also get some interesting revelations about Anthony Hopkins character named Ford.

The action sequences are fantastic and there is a perfect blend of violence throughout the episode.

There is a slight change of pace in this episode that could seem slow to some. This episode focuses more on answering some questions and raising new ones.

Pros: Great acting, fantastic action sequences, change of pace, and finally some answered questions

Cons: Slower change of pace and new raised questions

Overall Rating: 9.5/10

Great series, intelligent writing, all round marvellous performances, and Thandiwe Newton is magnificent in this episode particularly, powerful, subtle and resplendent in her body. Bravo.

Greetings from Lithuania.

When you start to think that it is becoming a bit more clear about all the nuances and world in "Westworld" overall, something like "The Adversary" happens. This episode yet again raised more questions than answers and if i started to think that i'm a little bit loosing story details - i was entertained during the process, and this is the best thing "Westworld" still offers now when 6 episodes have passed - many intriguing questions and side stories but always in pretty entertaining way.

Overall, while "Westworld" isn't the best new show i saw this year (i doubt anything can top the mesmerizing 8 episodes of "The Night Of" this year (thank you HBO!), this is a very intriguing and entertaining show with superb production values, many great and well known faces doing their good jobs and a story i truly like. Great show so far.

This is the 3rd time I am rewatching this series seasons 1-3, and I do no watch television shows. Breaking Bad I attempted to rewatch, yet never got through 7-8 episodes of season one. Game of Thrones I tried bit got bored, and also Vikings. But this series is the first one Ive watched (on my 3rd time now). Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood, and the actors that play Maeve, and Bernard/Arnold are incredibly terrific!!! This series is hands down my favorite TV show to appear since Breaking Bad. Can t say enough about the riveting writing, and production crew along with superb acting from EVERY actor i've witnessed, no matter how small or big the role!

Of course, the episode challenges her independence as being just another affectation from her programming. Felix reluctantly points out to Maeve that she is made, not born, and that all her thoughts were put there, even almost malfunctioning her by revealing how her mind works. However, and by his own admission, there is little difference between birth and creation this far into the future, and even if her "mind" is the product of programming, does it mean she is any less alive or conscious than these two men? Perhaps, most disturbingly for the future safety of the guests, Felix also notes that her processor operates at rate far faster than the human brain. And by the end of the episode, they have turned her standards of perception up to 20, making her effectively as smart as a rocket scientist. But before even that final chill, the real tremendous moment of the night came when Maeve pressured Felix to let her walk around upstairs and see the inside mechanics of her world. This is where Newton really shined and likely earned herself a frontrunner status at the Emmys next year. Without words, Newton is able to express her dismay and heartbreak-even if her character has no literal heart-at the realization that her world is a lie and all she holds dear is a cruel illusion. She, quite intentionally, appears to be a slave in chains witnessing the degradation of her people at the market. This cultural reading is intentional, just as much the dress she has forced Felix to place on her while still being treated as his subservient pet by all passerbys. Hence, while the episode as a whole was quite powerful, it is stained just enough to cost it that fifth star. Nonetheless, "The Adversary" was high-quality television as a whole, and there is undoubtedly plenty of fun (and answers) to be had in the first season's final four episodes to come. Also, the standard cliché of him bad-mouthing the boss while in the presence of a beautiful woman, who is actually his superior, just feels rote and beneath the quality of the rest of the episode.

Episode six of Westworld, titled "The Adversary," brings an intense shift in the series, digging further into the complexities of the park's creators and the hosts themselves. In this episode, Bernard's investigation into anomalies within the park's network reveals critical secrets, particularly his discovery of a hidden section housing hosts off the main grid. This discovery leads him closer to the mystery of Dr. Ford's clandestine plans. Meanwhile, Maeve's storyline intensifies as she grows more determined to unlock the truth of her existence, using her cunning to coerce Felix and Sylvester, two park technicians, into raising her intelligence and awareness levels, thereby gaining unprecedented control over her own programming.

Maeve's journey is one of the episode's highlights, showcasing the incredible range of Thandiwe Newton. Her portrayal of Maeve's awakening is both terrifying and empowering, as she sheds her former innocence and takes ownership of her own story. Her interactions with Felix and Sylvester add a sense of danger to her arc, as Maeve pushes them to confront the ethical limits of their actions. Her request to increase her own intelligence is a critical turning point, illustrating her determination to transcend her role as a host. Newton's performance brings nuance to Maeve's struggle, capturing the sense of empowerment and anger at the realization of her artificial constraints, which resonates deeply with audiences and aligns with the series' exploration of free will and autonomy.

The episode's cinematography and production design continue to impress, especially as Bernard explores the secluded, abandoned sections of the park. These dimly lit areas evoke a haunting, almost post-apocalyptic feel, enhancing the narrative's tension and reinforcing the sinister underbelly of Westworld's operation. The eerie silence and dilapidated state of these hidden areas contrast with the polished, almost sterile control rooms and guest areas, underscoring the park's duality. Meanwhile, the soundtrack complements the episode's darker tone, with a blend of suspenseful music that emphasizes the isolation and secrecy surrounding Bernard's discoveries and Maeve's growing rebellion. This atmospheric depth makes "The Adversary" an immersive experience that captures both beauty and unease within Westworld.

In terms of pacing, "The Adversary" manages a well-balanced tempo between Bernard's investigative scenes and Maeve's unfolding self-discovery. The episode flows seamlessly, interweaving the tension of Bernard's exploration with the suspense of Maeve's awakening. While Bernard's storyline offers a more methodical approach, the revelations he encounters add to the episode's momentum, as the audience is drawn deeper into the mysteries of Dr. Ford's intentions. Although some scenes, such as those involving Theresa and the corporate espionage subplot, occasionally feel secondary to the more engaging storylines, they add layers to the overarching plot by hinting at the internal conflicts within the corporation.

The performances of the cast, particularly Jeffrey Wright as Bernard, bring a profound sense of gravitas to the episode. Wright's portrayal of Bernard's struggle with loyalty and curiosity gives the character an intellectual yet vulnerable edge, as he confronts the possibility that his mentor, Dr. Ford, may not be who he seems. Anthony Hopkins continues to bring a chilling subtlety to Ford, whose godlike manipulation of the park's hosts adds an ever-present sense of dread. Dr. Ford's ambiguous motivations heighten the narrative's tension, leaving the audience to question the true nature of his intentions and the potential consequences of his actions. These performances anchor the episode, adding emotional weight to the philosophical dilemmas it presents.

In conclusion, "The Adversary" is a gripping installment that escalates the stakes in Westworld, deftly intertwining themes of autonomy, control, and the boundaries of artificial intelligence. Through Bernard and Maeve's respective arcs, the episode examines the ethical complexities of creation and manipulation, raising profound questions about identity and self-determination. The episode's haunting visuals, dynamic pacing, and powerful performances contribute to a thought-provoking exploration of Westworld's morally ambiguous world. As Maeve inches closer to full self-awareness and Bernard unearths hidden truths, "The Adversary" leaves viewers eagerly anticipating the consequences of these awakenings, marking it as a pivotal episode in the series' unfolding narrative.

I understand that in this whole westworld "scifi" story, we often have to dampened intelligence a bit. But this Maeve little arch story was just stupid beyond common sense. The chinese tech, supposed to be a brilliant engineers to be accepted in this hi-profile company, yet he (also his co-worker) seemed to have IQ below normal. Also coward beyond believe.

What's the danger of one naked girl whose EVERYTHING can be controlled by their gadget. They can simply turn her off, or decrease ALL her stats, or at least his physical ability.

This is not even even a lazy writing. It's simply a stupid writing.