Westworld S2E08 Explained

How does Akecheta’s journey fit with the timeline of Westworld, and Ford’s plans? What is the door? How will Emily hurt William? How might Charlotte use Maeve?
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Images and video from Westworld used here under fair use.
Orpheus image: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
References / further reading:
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Special thanks to Patrons Reverend Xandria, Cameron Weiss, Michael Appell, Jason Rattray, Ryan Steele, Eric Louis-Dreyfus, Fred Petty, Matthew Elisha Williams, Triangle Wine Company, Harry, Jake Burling, Chris Cole, Chris Amolsch, Alex Kirkendall, Paul Lesiak, Hank Lero, Zach Gordon, DscoDan, DylanGeekozoid, Jon Levin, Jesus Tagle Jr, jeff morgan, Julien Marchand, Shane Veglia, Marc Pierre Louis, I think a Faceless Man ran up and said 'Valar Morghulus' before running off?

[@AltShiftX]

Hey, to clarify - we're not doing a S2E09 video because we don't have time to make a full video next week. This isn't a dastardly plan to get Patrons. The Finale video will wrap everything up!

[@Mikeyiwrites]

We all appreciate the amazing videos. I'll just wander lost without your explanation for a week. :)

[@OutlawAladdin]

hey can you guys actually do some splanin' instead of recaps just sayin...

[@michelebotticelli3258]

So, 2 weeks of nonsense before youll explain to us how ww ends :((

[@NanakiPL]

Oh just admit it! You're not doing the E09 video because you only have space for one more video at 11:41 :)

[@Romartus]

That's a shame. Your videos were always worth the wait. Like a weekly review.

[@Zillycakes]

“Take my heart when you go.” Akane did this literally with Sakura’s heart!

[@ramonalejandrosuare]

Finally, a well written character driven episode for Season 2. It really is amazing how this series is improved when it narrows down its wide scope and confines the story to a focused examination of the characters. The irony is that in doing so, Westworld ends up exploring its very ambitious themes on free will, determinism, and the contingent nature of reality with more care, nuance and depth than when the story jumps all over the place with unconventional narrative techniques or long-winded monologues about the human condition.

[@siddiqsmouse5004]

Yes.

[@AmazingJayB51]

I started losing interest but this episode has brought me back in!

[@EternalDensity]

You didn't mention the important detail that's key to understanding this episode: Akecheta speaks Lakota when he's speaking to Maeve through her daughter, and changes to English when speaking to the daughter.

[@JJbones88]

no

[@MegaKamil5]

@@JJbones88 why not?

[@johnboylan3832]

@@MegaKamil5 Just no.

[@unflexian]

i thought it was more that like sizemore said all the hosts have the code needed to understand languages buried inside.

[@eapackersla]

Facts

[@egalomon]

"The maze is not meant for you." makes so much sense now. William just stumbled into some lore that the hosts pretty much made up by themselves and projected some meaning to it, that it was specifically made for him. Poor William. What a fool

[@bgdddyweave77]

This was probably my favorite episode yet. Gorgeous cinematography, fantastic acting, and a storyline that is deeply emotional, yet still full of information regarding the true nature and intentions of hosts (and their creator).

[@danhamjam]

An exception episode. My wife who had never even seen a single episode was hooked and understood what West world was about after this episode. It was like a mini movie and stood completely on its own.

[@jl9554]

This episode was really beautiful!

[@GeekRaj]

It was the best episode of season 2 so far for me. It was linear, no time jumps, no confusion, straight up emotion packed. Unravelled a bit of story. To the point, without any riddles. Unlike other episodes of season 2 which were tedious and hectic to watch. Season 1> season 2

[@jacksoningraham5788]

Easily one of the best episodes in storytelling on TV

[@kefkapalazzo1]

Jackson Ingraham stop

[@senjuguy]

Tranquil he can be easy to entertain and he'd still be right

[@Skabanis]

I thought it was boring as hell...

[@ArreSidu]

Tranquil r/iamverysmart

[@BiscuitAWitch]

I don't know about that; there are hundreds of hours of better storytelling.

[@TheSniperUltimate]

Can we appreciate the fucking beautiful piano version of heart shaped box

[@Americassweetheart23]

Agreed. It was a beautiful rendition.

[@shegocrazy]

I did. Who'd have thought they would incorporate a song like that?

[@piratewhoisquiet]

That whole scene drove me crazy trying to place the tune haha, I had to hum it to myself for two minutes just to remember enough lyrics to google. It *was* fucking beautiful though.

[@avatarwan6174]

Simon Vercoe when ? Which ep?

[@DuncanWLievi]

@@avatarwan6174 episode 8 of season 2, played during Ake's search for Kohana in the mesa

[@Seventy_Monocle]

Sad there will be no episode 9 but appreciate all your work none the less

[@pascald67]

What do you mean there will be no episode 9? I found trailers and stuff for it :O Edit: Just watched till the end, totally my bad : /

[@wonderguardstalker]

He's talking about this channel doing an explanation episode of it. He's doing a patreon livestream instead. Gotta get them patreon bux

[@kefkapalazzo1]

He wants you t appreciate him with your wallet lol

[@system0fadowner251]

kefkapalazzo1 thank God there's like 20 other channels that do awesome recaps so I won't miss it.

[@rsheltonib]

They aren't as good, though, nor do they have dat voice doe

[@tikikcila]

This episode was one of the best in a long time. A truly beautiful and heartbreaking story, and some light has finally been shed on the elusive Ghost Nation!

[@TheBodyOnPC]

Probably the best episode so far

[@mierrozerote]

TheBodyOnPC I totally agree!

[@JM-us3fr]

Definitely. Ake went from a strange brute-like character to a messianic role-model in a single episode.

[@joelock7079]

Best episode was the James D. trying to live forever. That was brilliant TV. This was a generous B-

[@nickolasredbear132]

I said exactly that. Had me tearing up..

[@zfoska]

It's very brave of Westworld story writers/director to introduce a major character like this. Loved the way they played with him till now... Ake will be as important as Dolores by the end.

[@shannail4533]

i cried like crazy when the end credit was rolling

[@giovanimans4ni]

*This episode give me chills*

[@wendyc1902]

Yes...Very well done

[@-vermin-]

I watched a good portion of this episode without the centre channel (mostly the dialogue) on my 5.1 home theatre setup before I realised something was wrong. It was even eerier.

[@mihajlo961x]

I felt all the emotion building throughout the episode. And then, at the end, when Maeve said that like, I broke down. So well done.

[@Tmathh]

the music was incredible in this episode the acting was on point it was so well told and focused

[@davincerica7232]

Plebmeister best episode imho

[@kheo]

after watching Ep 9: Us: Yayy great episode cant wait for Alt Shift X explanation video! Alt Shift X: It doesnt look like anything to me.

[@jmchez]

I like how Joy and Nolan explicitly made Akecheta live the “life” of the three major Indian stereotypes. A peaceful primitive living with nature, no horses, no wheel. A blood thirsty savage killing mercilessly and opposed to progress. An enlightened mythical figure with deep understanding that has much to teach.

[@alanpennie8013]

jmchez Hey all these lousy stereotypes are totally down to the writers Delos hires. Nothing to do with HBO.

[@jmchez]

Alan Pennie Oh, no. After I wrote my posting, I read that Joy and Nolan have stated that they wanted to portray Indian streotypes in Akecheta's life.

[@desmondregan7499]

well technically the natives didnt have horses or the wheel and most of the tribes were warlike

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

@@desmondregan7499 You're really talking out of your ass with this one. First of all - you're committing the biggest sin when it comes to understanding American Indians, treating them like a monolithic culture. They weren't. Different tribes and groups were markedly different - the second biggest sin is lumping American Indian cultures into the same stage of development - that they remained static despite centuries of interaction - peaceful, violent, ambivalent, or otherwise - with European settlers. There were tribes that used horses for centuries and adopted the culture of a 'horse nomads/warriors' while others stuck to the hills and didn't have this same experience - this is just talking about the history of American Indians post-arrival of Europeans - going back before this date reveals even more history and even more drastic differences between the different culture groups. You're obviously not a fucking expert on the subject so you shouldn't act like one with such concrete statements that are abjectly false due to how sweeping and vague they are at face value.

[@kevincarter2020]

I'm just still shocked that we haven't heard a paranoid android cover yet

[@dustyalbones-reendust4385]

I hope they delivered it on the finale.

[@Zenene-ok5el]

I'm crossing my fingers for a cover of Björk's "All is Full of Love".

[@alextromagnetic]

Probably too on the nose

[@rooftopsignals7313]

'Holy fucking shit 40,000' would be fitting, but probably won't be featured in any soundtrack any time soon

[@tiphmiller_sacred_ink]

Yh but they did do that song from kid A Can’t remember what it’s called but it’s starts “ white wine and sleeping pills help me get where I belong , it’s not like the movies , they fed us on Little white lies, I think your crazy , maybe I will see you In the Next liiiiiiiiiiiiiiife ......... Amazing song and cover from WW, also radio head do a song called

[@vickeyross]

Alt shift x is definitely the superior channel in this genre

[@Sylviala2009]

Yep! I guess I will be a patre on member to see the live stream, I hope the $1.00 a month patreon members can take part in the Ep9 live stream

[@josephloera4964]

Sylvia Wilson have you figured out whether we can view it at 1$?

[@TMV420]

For sure Vickey!

[@josemarlp]

It's a pity we won't have episode 9 explained. Anyway, thanks for the job you take doing every video!

[@jacobanderson5767]

Somehow the more bottled episodes of this season have felt the strongest and most character based. This episode being a prime example.

[@DavidNunezPNW]

When he said no Episode 9 Explained 😢💔😭

[@mrmjdza]

Dude... Your dry humour is just THE BEST!!! Please make more videos about more things... I'd happily watch hours of your content every day :)

[@RajPatel-mv9ez]

I really don't understand why people are not ok with Alt doing a live stream on his Patreon. I wish he'd do a video since I am not on his Patreon but I completely understand why he's not. The man has given us super high-quality videos for every episode FOR FREE yet you can't handle him rewarding those who support him financially for 1 episode? That's sad, learn how to appreciate others for fuck's sake.

[@RajPatel-mv9ez]

are you paying him in any way? no, you're just sitting back on your ass waiting for his videos that took days to complete to show up in your sub box for FREE. Yeah, he makes some money off ads but obviously it's not enough to sustain himself and the channel so he has a patreon and he has to reward those people.

[@nikolascoffey6453]

Akecheta= the host's Charles Xavier Dolores= Magneto

[@leoteal7161]

Who's Maeve then?

[@nikolascoffey6453]

Jean Grey

[@mobilizedpanda3795]

The first time Akecheta had his character redone the head tech instructed the others to just "unaddress" a lot of his code / memories. This goes in line with the reveries we see in the first season. "The memories are still in there, waiting to be overridden." I think when he saw Kohana the for the first time after his rework it triggered a kind of reverie and "woke" him up.

[@thestritch6050]

You're absolutely incredible. Your understanding of the meaning of that episode was more than I could imagine but so on point. Keep it up

[@rawlespringer3917]

Im a simple man. I wake up log onto my macbook, click on alt shift x channel, check for latest westworld video. Nothing there, let off a big sigh become very sad....repeat

[@hopesimpson5822]

Definitely one of the best episodes, packed an emotional punch that was lacking most of the season.

[@mikeymegamega]

Great work as ever!

[@aashishpokharel007]

This was probably the most easy to understand episode in Westworld till today :D :D

[@irfanmuhmmed1014]

The maeve akecheta thing flew over me, also i didnt care about dolores this season, she seems to run on her crazy ideas but the evolution of maeve have been amazing. Thanks for the whole biblical and mythological references.. Keep up the good work alt.

[@geremynakhone826]

take my heart when you go (for the week) Alt shift X

[@ashknoecklein]

The more I think about the maze scalping, the more I wonder--can hosts heal? If they get a minor abrasion, do they have to wait for a tech to fix it? If so, it seems like a lot of extra work for the techs. And how would Akecheta have fared for a decade? If hosts *can* heal, perhaps the intention is to survive the scalping without going below for a patch up.

[@qb984]

If you have to make theories like this it shows how bad the writing is. In season 1 when ever a host went off of their loop the techs were quick to monitor them and fix them all of a sudden the entire ghost nation is able to scalp each other and put in hidden mazes? Not to mention they magically put the scalpes back on lol! Did they sew them back on because none of the ghost nation had scalp scars maybe Ake took another adventure in the facility and stole one of those flesh healing heat guns

[@callofduty611]

Ford made it clear in his intentions at this point, as to what he intended. To allow the hosts to be free. Perhaps he hid it or commanded otherwise from his employees at the time. When Akecheta was restored back to Westworld, employees objected but according to the commands of their superior (I believe, whom Ford was in command of), they just updated him and let him be which I found suspicious. Update code only that I believe only Ford at the time, would have had to the ability the authorize his employees to perform instead of a full reset as per protocol instead of updating/replacing the host. Ford wasn't opposed to bloodshed of his own kind, humans, in order to achieve his goals. This to me, seems like a simple thing Ford would have done to achieve his ultimate goal. As he said himself, he'd been watching Akecheta for a long time before they actually met. I wouldn't call it bad writing by far but just requires a certain suspsention of disbelief and imagination.

[@RobinK]

Excellent recap. Too bad there won't be an episode 9 analysis though, but I'm sure you have your reasons. Thanks for creating these videos.

[@DrGanjameister]

$$$$ is the reason.

[@sharkyprodiver4904]

there won't be an episode 9 analysis?

[@00LXS00]

This was my favorite episode yet!! Thank you for the awesome work.

[@AnthonyWithlove]

This was my favorite episode in the entire series, and rivaled some of the best episode of Game of Thrones. At least to me it did.

[@misterpoo7584]

I just love your videos. Thanks for the awesome work, I'm sure a ton goes into every episode.

[@Alexdlsc87]

The predictions were so spot on. Bravo!

[@MattTheriot]

This was such a good episode. It told a great story while explaining so much unexplained actions in the past.

[@nimityaka]

Dude I swear your breakdowns are the best!

[@TheNeeenha]

This was my favorite episode so far, loved it

[@Juanfire]

I have been waiting for your vid bro all week thanks

[@JotaP1n]

I thought The riddle of the Sphinx would be the best episode but...nope, Kiksuya was. The way the writer and the director have used Orpheo's myth, the native americans culture to guide Akecheta in his awakening, and the acting is in one word majestic.

[@jianwen5760321]

Your post episode explanation is the best on youtube. I get it that it takes time to produce this pure gold, but no content for episode 9?

[@philrobichaud3063]

Still catching up on my Westworld episodes, thanks for these amazing recap/analysis videos! When i finished watching this episode i was like "Huh, a fully contained story, with nothing moving forward in the overall narrative of the series, almost like it was a "filler" episode". But as i unpacked it, I realized it was such an important part of the story, this episode felt a lot like what season 1 felt like - seeing Westworld (the theme park) through the eyes of the hosts.

[@defrte]

Hands down, the best episode this season.

[@lockedin6699]

Not Visible I would argue eps 7 was the best thus far.

[@Darkstar13r]

You are the only KZbinr that I dont regret subscribing! Great work as always!

[@MackMorrisMeteorologist]

Your videos are amazing. Keep up the good work.

[@nakkadu]

The work that goes into these videos is impressive and appreciated

[@AltShiftX]

Thank you! We try.

[@emilyy-vs5wo]

Very good, detailed, but straight-forward well-thought-out review. Thank you!!

[@NichSchoepfer]

Another great video. By far the best episode of the show so far.

[@WisecrackEDU]

Thank you SO SO much for the shoutout!

[@zacharycalabrese3232]

Wisecrack you guys make dope videos

[@BenOnFifa]

Thanks for making westworld in all its confusion more understanding for us!

[@denizyldrm580]

Thank you so much for sharing these details. Westworld is definitely one of the best series.

[@TheFox52130]

Keep up the good work my man

[@KelsieHuff]

Your channel is amazing. That is all. Keep up the good work!

[@MissDanaSophia]

This episode fucked me up so bad that I can't even watch your video without sobbing. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Great videos thanks so much, really enhance our enjoyment of the show.

[@thiabreu]

awesome video as always!

[@KismetBP]

Such a fantastic video. Top notch stuff. 👍

[@xemmyQ]

aw :( i use your episodes to better understand and recap the week before's episode..but i understand. Thank you so much for your content 🙏

[@mthomas73]

Brilliant clear video..thanks

[@jens2049]

Such a beautiful episode. Wish we had more like it

[@VincoMalus]

Amazing analysis/&dissection 🙏🏿👏🏿

[@MidnightStorker]

Been watching your videos for a while now; this is the one that made me hunt down the subscribe button. Good shit!

[@dan.de.andrade]

Never expected this much for a KZbin video

[@aSiriusThoth]

Good Lord... you're videos are AWESOME!!

[@casiash]

I was waiting 4 u guys video xD i can no longer understand episodes until i see this

[@kramer311]

This was my all time favorite West world episode both seasons, loved it

[@kevinw712]

There's a William/Emily sort of theory thing I've heard about, and I wanted to share it here to hopefully get further input. In their campfire scene from I think, 2 eps ago, was it? When William recounts the memory of the fear of elephants from when Emily was little, that when he gets the memory wrong. Now, I've seen others suggest this is a clue to the fact that William, as we're currently seeing him now, is a host himself. But I don't think that's correct. In fact, that hadn't even remotely occurred to me until I saw another bring it up, and I HOPE it's not going to be case. Rather, the way I perceived that moment, it was William running one more check on the validity of it really being Emily. Because remember when William and Emily finally saw each other face to face? William didn't think it was really her, he'd thought that Ford had "stooped so low" to have created a host version of his daughter just to fuck with him. Thus, cut to later when they're having that conversation at the campfire, I think that William described that memory incorrectly ON PURPOSE, that the whole point was to see if Emily would correct him. I mean you see this basic same thing done in con man stories all the time. Say a family has a kid disappear, someone shows back up decades later and (especially if there's money involved) the family worries about it being an imposter trying to scam them, so you talk about something from the kid's childhood but you get a detail wrong on purpose, cause if it's the real person, they would know what the truth is.

[@josephloera4964]

Kevin W From what I've read and how I took it, I think the idea that MIB was in fact checking Emily's "fidelity"/memory IS the most accepted idea. It's only a few outliers who want to believe MIB/William is a host, not the majority of people. So you're most likely right.

[@Babyfaceless]

Really bummed to hear you won’t be here on KZbin for episode 9 but excited to look back on the finale with you.

[@cv0669]

loved this episode...I love every episode

[@LaRusso]

Great episode, loved hearing Heart Shaped Box on there too.

[@HaxDogma]

Alt Shift X, I am a huge fan and I am so grateful for the shout-out! I will do right by your subscribers and won't let you down boss! You're an inspiration of mine and I hope we cross paths at some nerdy convention one day! haha

[@QLTEQ]

Now kiss

[@naregkarekinian1685]

What a nice act. U both (altahiftx And haxdogma) are not only explaining videos but also u r inspiring ur audience to have good values).

[@Nycrolieben]

HaxDogma I'm a recent subscriber to you because of a previous shout-out by this channel. Your content has been wonderful, and your theory videos are the absolute best!

[@AltShiftX]

HaxDogma Cheers mate! It's great to see a new voice with cool ideas (:

[@Tytytytyty1776]

Take his heart when you go

[@mrd8104]

subscribed! Awesome video

[@simoling]

Reaching a million subscribers! Well deserved rise.

[@DrLinden]

best westworld vids

[@dragos-lucian]

My favourite episode so far. It made me cry.

[@SteveCancel78]

Has!!! It’s here!! :) my favorite part of Friday’s!

[@petito2547]

This was a very good episode of westworld! Really enjoyed the storyline and the actors performances!

[@michaelschmidt3251]

My favorite episode yet!

[@brwahussen]

I just watched this episode, went to KZbin, and saw this.... amazing!!!

[@kk00106]

This episode was a pleasure to watch

[@tymo7777]

Best S2 episode yet by far.

[@Kyle-kc1ny]

Best episode in the entire series

[@khalidalnafisi6060]

Thanks for you and your team at this channel, best explain show for our tv shows game of thrones and westworld ❤️

[@rayboogie8171]

This is a great episode.

[@RizztrainingOrder]

Hell ya! When that notification pops up my day is made knowing a giant wet knowledge bomb of Truth is about to be dropped on my simple mind! Thank you for your articulated explanation of this show, is the best around!

[@Dfreeear]

Favourite episode yet

[@spencergadoury]

Rlly liked this episode very good, especially the Heart Shaped Box Montage where he discovers the park

[@hogee7]

Amazing episode. Best of the series. Another awesome video Alt X, really enjoy them. Keep up the great work!

[@Amazatastic]

Defs one of my favourite episodes. Loved it so glad we got to see into the ghost nation. (Also I KNEW they'd been sentient for a while!!!)

[@Ignasimp]

Well, they has some king of religion centered around real humans. Something was clearly going on. And I'm glad this was it, because this episode has been great.

[@randomyoutubeuser6171]

A Decoding Westworld shoutout! Best podcast for people confused about the show

[@aisudhfabisdrh]

The best episode of the whole show by far

[@ttrenchmiranda]

Where's EP 10?! WE NEED YOU ALT SHIFT X!! Love the channel

[@MrChopstsicks]

Favorite episode at this time.

[@nadafaleh8589]

I'm so sad that there wouldn't be ep.9 I get so excited to see your videos as much as I do to the original show

[@diego42297]

This episode was so good.