Westworld: In a Mirror-World ... (theory)

[@profbfc]

I will be honest here, this could POTENTIALLY the best season of westworld if they can pull of the heist that we are predicting they will.

[@wodredow]

I do think season 3 is already as good, if not better, than the first one

[@vannoo67]

I was suspicious in Ep-2 that Serac would risk his life with Maeve with only a panic button between him and a cut throat, when he could just as easily meet her in a simulation. My theory was given more weight when Host Charlotte needed to be wearing AR glasses to meet him at the end of Ep-3. This suggests to me that either Serac was tele-conferencing OR that he doesn't actually exist in the real world. Its not out of the question that he is not (and never was) a real person, and is in fact a manifestation of Rehoboam.

[@dkjoses12]

This makes sense

[@beaver6d9]

Agreed!

[@brianlucy8680]

I think he is like delos son who was like a guide in the forge.

[@rhemy1]

I think serac is not a real person as well. We have no proof that he exists. I also think Delores could be entering the mirror world looking for a weakness in rehobaom. Caleb is that weakness because he decided to do something no one else would have done. Earlier they said someone was probing the system looking for weaknesses.

[@finessence808]

Beautiful theory

[@tadzaku]

This is the excellent theory and will definitely be proved if we ever see a scene with Nathan and he doesn't have a dog. That will definitely prove it was a simulation

[@thefastmagician]

Actually Rehaboam (sp?) does not have access to park data but wants it. In the real world William painted himself as a humanitarian and a philanthropist and that’s all the data that would be accessed, making him a good person in the AI’s algorithm.

[@TheTam0613]

I really loved the first season. Season two confused the shite outta me and I'm apparently not smart enough to juggle multiple timelines. But I love your videos, and it sounds like the show is getting really deep and cool. I think I'm going to have to watch any "pre"-video you made, then watch the episode, then listen to your breakdown. I really want to be a Westworld fan! Oh Robert!

[@Leopold_33w]

I like how CEH is Charlotte’s initials. It’s also similar to abbreviation of the “Certified Ethical Hacker” certification. CEH is big on corporate network security. Hardening your network by knowing the technical aspect of your job, but you have to understand people as well. Social Engineering is another thing they touch upon in CEH because the biggest threat in technology is the human element: Disgruntled employees, careless, or simply trying to be helpful (like holding a door open for someone carrying a lot of boxes). I am CEH certified and that’s how I entered a secured building. I just find her initials to be a tongue in cheek sort of thing.

[@jbarber1016]

Robert, your videos are as good as the shows themselves. Great job, thank you.

[@briceslorene8760]

Oh here we go again on another excellent fucking video through our HOST’S eyes

[@waynerogers864]

The idea that Rehoboam cannot calculate or anticipate an "improve " human response or reaction seems highly unlikely. By now I would guess quantum computing would have been highly improved and would be computing on the probabilities of any eventualities. If Serac's personal view of humankind and its inability to change is Rehoboam's core program it will most certainly be its Achilles Heel.

[@Jamielorance]

Think of Rehoboam coming, in a different manner, but to the conclusion as The Forge/Cradel AI. Humans are in loops, and can't really change. No matter what minor changes they may make, they ultimately come to the same end.

[@kevinw712]

@@Jamielorance except it's worth noting that Rehoboam has seemingly collected and analyzed data on ALL of mankind, whereas the Forge was dealing only with Westworld customers specifically, so pretty much just the 1%'ers. That element only just hit me a couple months back, that all those "books in the library" Dolores was studying in the s2 finale were one tiny fraction of humans out in the real world. And, sure, there are plenty of things that I think would be fundamentally shared between the richest of the rich and everyone else mind mapping-wise, but also plenty not.

[@narenbaradwaj5058]

@@kevinw712 I think those 1% are more important than the remaining population and especially they're responsible for the economy and wealth so serac might need every last data on them to gain more control and a better view William for example is a good man and philanthropist in real world but in westworld he's a total sociopath and it might be same with many guests and this change in behaviour is really important

[@richardwalker6004]

I beg to differ , I think it’s def possible to create a simulation like this .... maybe not at this moment but one day ... that quantum computing is a game changer and the a.i, technically can run millions of scenarios and situations in a few seconds if not less

[@waynerogers864]

@@richardwalker6004Rich I agree with you. That was my point. Perhaps the anomaly in the S. China Sea is the boatman taking Bernard to West World or the death of the two bounty hunters that Bernard kills. Bernard is a black hole to Rehoboam. He is the catalyst for the human action but not a factor available to Rehoboam to consider.If Rehoboam's algorithm for humans is too oversimplified to see a "free will" choice it would be a huge error.

[@tadzaku]

The man in black was outwardly good in the real world. That being the case how would the machine no to run a simulation in which he would be badd? In the park he was badd but they do not have this data to go off of. this is the only question that I have about your theory

[@brianlucy8680]

Agreed they never got that data. Only dolores knows where it is.

[@sij748]

My only conclusion is that Insight has undertaken corporate espionage on Delos for years if not decades and hacked its data. Hence why it knows William is ‘bad’

[@cyberdinedog2097]

His daughter was accounted for. And she got Ford's portrait of William.

[@paranoidmage]

"Could this have scarred and shaped his understanding of human history?" You only need to open any reliable book on history to see how valid Serac's interpretation is. Human history really does seem like the ravings of a lunatic.

[@mrjxn007]

Thank you for pronouncing Rehoboam correctly! 👍🏻

[@agriperma]

Similar theme from earlier seasons, in season one, hosts, changed could become awaken (self aware ), only at a time of great pain or fear. something the MIB had attempted to do with Dolores for many years. and now this year we can see how traumatic events or situations can make humans change and become better people. As for the simulation theory, I think the writers were giving us a clue in this seasons episode 1, when a character was talking about how reality was just a simulation, he wasn't joking he was convinced, I think this is the shows writers playing with the viewers, If so, I think what we are seeing are events being simulated in the Rohabaom, it was probably able to detect some end to mankind in the future, and following it's programming of "making the world a better place" has found that the only solution, is a merging between man and machine. In other words, the Rohaboam was what triggered the self awareness of the hosts in the first place, since this supercomputer was creating the path for humanity, it's too early to guess if this was successful maybe Maeve or Dolores, of even Arnold, could be the monkey wrench in the gears that threw those plans out of whack, and the world is heading for an end. or maybe all these simulations are just the computer evaluating what it should do with host and humans in the future. in effect we are just watching the computer "think".

[@5naxalotl]

if you want to take the butterfly effect seriously, the simulations simply aren't operating at a fine enough level of granularity to prevent overwhelming divergence from accumulating very quickly

[@SunnyInLA]

Oh wowwww - this blew my mind !! I didnt really notice anything about those 2 Hale videos, but they are so diff!

[@sjsphotog]

I hit the like button and it put you at 1000 likes! :) I dont know how you do it but your theories and analysis are always SPOT ON! You rock. Great job here. I think you migth be 100% right about it all. Keep up the great work

[@mrjxn007]

Excellent analysis! Very thought provoking!

[@themusicofrose3974]

Amazing as always. I love your channel and always make sure to catch your theories! Keep up the exceptional work 👍

[@alvinlkm2011]

It reminds me when Ford said about "the mistakes" in season 1. The idea that Rahoboam planned everything in real life just contradict with Ford's theory about evolution of life. By the way, I am thinking that Serac might not be a real person. He might be Rahoboam itself.

[@sandracmyers]

Wow, really excellent analysis. A lot to think about. Thank you.

[@justinlegowsky1752]

Okay so hear me out. What if the big reveal of this season is... Two Hales. Rehoboam can't tell change. It can't understand that level of complexity. Last season Dolores sacreficed Teddy, deciding that he should make his own decision. What if the reason for all this Teddy/Hale symbolism is because in the mirror world, Teddy is Hale. Teddy was never destroyed because Dolores couldn't change. In the real world, however, Hale is someone else, and that's the big Hale reveal.

[@HeathenGeek]

hmm, good theory. Different hosts in Hales bod in the real and simulated world. You know what this means. . . you, me, and several dozen of the other people commenting on the video need to get out more :-)

[@finessence808]

Nice... I hope the reveal is as impactful as the mystery

[@thisfacebelievesyou8862]

Well, that definitely explains Dolores’ completely different reactions to being shot. In the first episode she’s shot once and becomes a limping mess who passes out in Caleb’s arms. Yet she walks away completely unscathed from multiple gunshot wounds in the 5th episode.

[@orangewarm1]

The old, 'simulation within a simulation' trope. I thought we'd already covered this with Christopher Nolan. I'm more interested in the philosophical questions the show poses at times: how do we live? how do we exist? Why are we here? 'Where are we?' seems quite insignificant, yet most reviewers focus on this. Regarding Rehoboam's understanding of humans, remember the data set has only analysed the people who have visited Westworld. This is the 1%. Not only that, this is the fraction of the 1% who would be interested in visiting a theme park where murder of realistic AI specimens is acceptable and expected.

[@namedrop721]

If you dig a little you’ll find they discuss exactly what you wish for, particularly surrounding Caleb, Charlores, and Bernard.

[@chazblank2717]

Didn’t Ford say in season one that Maeve had attempted to escape before. In fact along with his massive terraforming she was something of a distraction for Ford’s grand plan.

[@BlazerBoy1337]

Damn, that was a great conclusion! I agree.

[@Schweighsr]

Has anyone else noticed that Maeve's programming in Season 1 (escape the park, go to the mainland, infiltrate human society) is what Dolores is actually doing in Season 3? Could Dolores be Ford's back-up plan?

[@brianlucy8680]

No shes beyond Ford. She was the first perfect host made by Arnold. Arnold gave dolores consciousness not ford. Ford was also spectating while adding fuel to the flame. Arnold loved the hosts ford wanted to be their god. You can see Ford was learning about the maze scalping the indians etc . Arnold knew and couldnt bare to have living beings tortured for fun.

[@levsonc]

Maeve could be made as distraction, a decoy. Like it was shown in episode 2.

[@syrmo]

Super solid theory!! Great evidence!! Thanks for the great video :)

[@richardwalker6004]

Yea I’m Glad you did a video on the mirror world I was wondering to myself when Delores said there is a mirror world ..... do basically there is a virtual copy of everybody but how would you know if you are not the simulation

[@ShadeoftheEvening]

I don't know if Serac is in a simulation with Maeve. Even though people have pointed out nothing moved. But why have his little button? I guess I'm falling in with theory that Dolores is in Hale, and Wyatt in Dolores. I'm laying down with a migraine and still thinking about WW🤯It would explain the use of language like "turn down emotional affect", You belong to me", and all the crying and confusion, just like Dolores when something happens to Teddy or parents 💜🤖

[@tonywilliams429]

I agree with some of the other comments that maybe Serac is the computer running all the simulations.

[@sleekoduck]

I see some parallels with the 1980s movie War Games. The computer could not run an accurate prediction until it was given an additional piece of information from humans.

[@sjsphotog]

"Want to Play a Game?" And what was the final outcome of the final computer analysis to stop the Nuclear War? "The only winning move is..... to not play". Great stuff. One of my fave movies. ahead of its time back then.

[@ShadeoftheEvening]

I thought it was super screwy that the EMTs wouldn't do anything for Dolores until machine gave a diagnosis. That's scary!! Especially with my health/bad heart history!! Just fix her!! We can't depend on a machine for everything. Just part of what I'm thinking about 🤔 I said I believed Dolores was causing the 1st "disturbances" in Rehoboam 🤖

[@micdavey]

This is very good with some quite interesting ideas. Nice work!

[@unrhu]

I been saying since episode one when one of the guess at the party said something about a simulation in a simulation was foreshadowed. And this entire season will be nothing but a simulation. I might have said this on your channel on your episode 1 review

[@nigelhickman2274]

I did say this on this channel in episode 2!

[@halucynki]

Fantastic, as always!

[@portoc6663]

You really have to think about timelines. If it's 2058 lets work back. Liam said his father sketched the system out in a weekend and took 15 years to build. Serac did his first transaction with Delos 20 yrs ago, say 2038. In season one the park had been on line for 30 years, 2028. If Ford took 3 years to open the park after Arnold died that's 2025, when the nuke wasted Paris. Solomon build went online 2039, about 15 years after the nuke incident. If Serac built the system with Liam's father then that kid is not Serac. I think we need more information .

[@CPMax205]

I think Serac is an Avatar for Rehoboam itself.

[@krkoanna]

@@CPMax205 omg I just said that!

[@brianlucy8680]

Yeah he's just like james delos son inside the forge.

[@nkosimkhize7325]

And Rehoboam wants Delos so it can have the host. That way it can leave the mirror world and enter the real world

[@mikelambsworld4368]

In one of the season 3 trailers, there is a scene where William says “I’m going to save the fucking world!”

[@HeathenGeek]

oooh. a simulated version of what Rohoboam thinks is the real Charlotte and a host version of Charlotte in the real world. As if my brain wasn't having trouble keeping tabs on all the possiblilities anyway. Sounds good though. There do seem to be visual clues with identifying worlds. When we're being shown (what I think is) the simulation, that world is shown with a blue hue in the cinematography. When we're in what I think is the real world, it has a golden hue. This is reenforced by visual cues. . . Caleb getting snatched in the hospital: BLUE HUES, there are shelves arranged in the background that look like the outside of Rohoboam, characters mirrored by picture frames on the wall. The same when we see the outside of the building he's about to be thrown from, and then the view of him from behind in that scene. It looks like we're seening him inside Rohoboam, he looks like he's looking out to the walls of Rohoboam. The scene with Delores and Charlottan in the hotel: GOLDEN HUES the real world? Charlotte is a host in the real world? Something else, when Charlotte is watching the vid at her desk, we're seeing her through a screen, a litteral screen. . . as well as our screen. Does that mean Rohoboam is watching her? I fuckin need to get out more

[@chouaibbenali5201]

Woaw

[@sneha1029]

Rehoboam is basically a program. It might be evolving and gaining conscience like VICKY in I, Am, Robot. Maybe it is helping Delores. After all it's the raise of new species - AI

[@steel510rain3]

Excellent video, but what of the notion that Liam sr created rehaboam because he hated the idea of unlocked potential? This creation doesn’t work towards that end...unless...?

[@Arduinna4]

Maybe the different dates have some connection with the fact that in a simulation (as we saw in episode two) time is faster? Dont ask me what though.

[@nigelhickman2274]

10 times or so was observed by Maeve!

[@Arduinna4]

@@nigelhickman2274 So "mirror world" and "simulation" is actually the same thing?

[@marinamidori2113]

Could you clarify your two timeline theory, 2052 & 2058? When Bernard has a trimmed beard & goes back to Westworld, would that be 2052? Thanks! I love your channel & your ongoing Westworld analysis!

[@julius-stark]

Showing us 2 different timelines/realities worked great in season 1 but was a huge detriment in season 2, I hoped having that random guy blatantly say they might be in a simulation was a signal that they're not doing it because of how obvious of a twist it would be, but now I'm convinced that's exactly what they're doing.

[@kayom2000]

I have a huge problem with the replacement of Hale because she fits perfectly into a new and completely unknown environment for her. She knows everyone in the organization, she knows access data, she knows all procedures, etc. For me, this mistake is so obvious that I think that what we are supposed to see or think is not the real truth.

[@HeathenGeek]

Unless of course it's William as Hale (in what is the real world) A Delos board member, would be able to fit into the environment, would know everyone, could access data, knows all the procedures?

[@uprightape100]

I'm loving this season and don't know why anyone is whining......nobody is making you watch, and WW is far superior to all that campy Brit crap like Sherlock (oopsie, I married a hit-woman for the CIA, MI6, KGB, etc. Who hasn't done that?), Luther (my work partner murdered my estranged wifie. Who hasn't had that happen?), or the new silly champ Killing Eve. Yay Delores!

[@brianlucy8680]

Sadly viewership is dropping. We need more viewers so we get the best season possible. They need to bring anthony Hopkins back for a few flashback scenes.

[@mariannairam2218]

Brian Lucy You know that they already record it and it is finished ?

[@ralf2202]

This is a smart theory. However, from a scientific and technical view, it makes not much sense. We have to assume that Rehoboam is based on the same technology as the host brain pearls. Because of its sheer size, it has orders of magnitude more computing power than all host brains combined. So, it simply is way more intelligent in every aspect of the word. It might have had a negative view of human potential, but given just one counter-example such a super-intelligent machine would revise its assessment. Dolores, Arnold, Maeve (and William) might have intricate plans to fool Rehoboam, but it really should be ten moves ahead of them, and they would not stand a chance. Again, your idea makes a good story, and we could actually see it in season three, but it is just not how the AI singularity will play out in the coming decades.

[@sageimac3168]

I didn't even realize that Rehoboam was a giant pearl.

[@chouaibbenali5201]

Damn you cracked the season don't you ? damn it makes sense

[@pumpuppthevolume]

yep mentioning the mirror world was the most interesting part to me

[@TheRichardchaney]

While the privacy laws have curtailed the acquiring of data it seems most people have opted into Incite and freely give up their life. Security cameras, facial recognition and purchase tracking are all being feed in. Caleb has his implant turned off but Martin finds him immediately. Any theories on the contact lens Dolores puts in? Related to the hologram glasses?

[@ct2691]

Maybe that is her link to Rehoboam and/or the rest of some kind of network. I wonder how she can tap into other machines without being detected by Rehoboam.

[@brianlucy8680]

The contacts are more important .everything this show does is calculated. Something to do with the simulation. Are they all inside rehoboam ? Every season has a twist with timelines perspectives and reality. Why no talk of fidelity etc incite figured it out and that's where half the show it. I think Delores is the only one to see through it besides maeve but who knows when each even happened.

[@rusty8684]

Serac is reboam? You only see him threw glasses. Mav might have been in another simulation

[@markg.7865]

You might be right, at this point the whole show could be simulation.

[@FotoPatPat]

Check Charlotte's hairdo from 12:30 and 12:35, the next scene, in which, as Robert would say, seems ... mirrored ...

[@jbp1790]

FotoPatPat omg!,

[@shadowpuppet6707]

Interesting! Good eye for detail!

[@35wangfeng]

omg

[@breadfan_85]

No it's not lol. The part is on her left in both scenes. Only difference is that it's a bit messier at 12:35. Unless I've misunderstood you...

[@tevin-joeljoseph7104]

What if everything or a big part of what we see is inside the simulation, perhaps Bernards timeline is outside tho, like i mean, the best way to conquer the world that is controlled by AI, is by controlling and dooming the world made by the AI, and used to predict and thereby control the outside world. Thats why Caleb would seem so host-like when we first see him, mirroring Dolores, it would make sense that his mom would not know him, cause the AI would not have the full scope of their relationship, Dolores would with her powers inside of it (AI), know beforehand who Caleb was, or what his potential would be and therefore lure him into helping her. It would also make sense that Serac aint even a real human, as we see him in the show but a form that the AI has manifested itself as, an uses when we see him meet Charlotte and Maeve. Furthermore it will also be possible to play around with the timelines like this, cause we would not know what is real and simulation.....until they would reveal it like in that scene when Maeve realises she is inside a simulation. It is all a bit farfetched, but knowing Westworld and what they show and say between the lines, anything is pretty much possible

[@chouaibbenali5201]

Woaw,like this A LOT

[@TGJoeyT]

Well my brains are now scattered about the room. Wow.

[@burtan2000]

Awesome catch tying the paris thermonuclear event with Serac. That's a perfect, elegant fit. I must disagree, however, that Rehoboam only had "statis" data - yes, the incoming data flow for calibration was stopped, it obviously had years - if not decades - of data already collected. It was not a SINGLE snapshot of data taken only once. It would use big data, all the data it had available and I'd imagine that's quite a bit. Look at how much data is collected nowadays on everyone. We don't have the AI to process it yet, but we will. And by then, the Internet of Things will be almost all encompassing. EVERYTHING will have cameras and mic's. It will all be captured, categorized, and used to predict what to advertise to us next. IF a single AI had access to ALL of it, all of our SM accounts, all of our emails and texts and calls, and if that AI had the horsepower to actually process it.... well, we'd have Rehoboam. Or his predecessor: soloman build. 1

[@ShadeoftheEvening]

I don't know if Rehoboam is REALLY trying to set up everyone's future. They don't care about some people. Wrote them off. Obviously, Caleb doesn't make the cut. Him and Dolores were my fave of episode 😍

[@ct2691]

Excellent analysis (as usual). Simulation within a simulation might help us make sense of when the Man in Black steps out of the elevator and Emily gives him a fidelity interview. Didn't she say that was the real world and real time? Maybe that is the real Emily, too. Love the theme that people are capable of change for the better. I firmly believe that. It is what gives me hope. Okay, I have watched that segment with Emily and William at the end of The Passenger three more times and still don't fully understand it, but it seems unlikely that is the real Emily. She says, "The system is long gone" and "this s not a simulation. This is your world, or what's left of it." If that were true, what is she doing there? Is she only in Williams head? It looks abandoned and there is sand on the floors until they step into the circular room. Lights are on. William thinks he is in the park and doesn't know how long he has been there. Says he was trying to prove that no system can tell him who he is. He has a choice. She tells him he is back again and it has been a long time. He is still dressed in his worn and dirty black western wear with his injured hand. She is neat and clean in pale clothes. Then she proceeds with her baseline interview to determinr fidelity. Okay, she never said he wasn't a simulation. I still don't fully underxtand what is going on. Hope we get some answers next episode.

[@UpdoggWhattt]

It was the real Charlotte that killed Elsie, right? And if so, wasn’t that after she filmed the video for her son? If it was, wouldn’t that mean she didn’t actually change? If anything, she became worse, actually killing a human being to further her selfish plan. Edit: I actually think the video was dead on, just wanted to share that thought.

[@azahace]

I thought so too, but when real Charlotte says "I was trying to build a life for us" it makes me think about her past and what she got through to be where she is in this meritocracy and I can see her after recording that heartfelt message fighting fiercely to survive and get back to her son in the only way she knows how to be.

[@jiahaoxu6356]

azaelrodriguezp She obviously doesn’t have to kill Elsie, she can just have a deal with her.

[@azahace]

@@jiahaoxu6356 for what I remember, Charlotte explains Elsie she read her profile and knows she's not that kind of person and will sooner or later betray any deal.

[@jiahaoxu6356]

azaelrodriguezp But can that be a good reason to kill a person, just to reunite with your son? If so, then I guess the word “predator” quite fits her. She didn’t become better. She is and always is the predator, hunting down other for heself and the natural instinct to protect descendent. It is the very natural instinct that leads human beings into exploiting others and killing other for millions of years: - For the survival and benefit of oneself - For the survival of one’s decendent - For the survival of the bloodline - before civilization began, men used to try to rape every woman they can seen without consent from women just to carry along their genes.

[@azahace]

@@jiahaoxu6356 You are right, I never said her actions were justified nor right, but when the system is a merciless jungle everyone takes on a different approach for survival depending on multiple factors such as personality and environment, some as herbivores, others as predators, etc., I think of bonobos and chimpanzees for example: from the moment their common ancestor's community divided by rising sea levels and some were trapped on an island with few resources while others had a much more benevolent land; the first group became competitive and aggressive (chimpanzees) while the second group still surprise us with their relaxed and cooperative nature with their pairs. This translated to Westworld means that the way the system is controlling society has brought out the worst in us.

[@sweetsu3s]

Have you been able to trace the discrepancy in time lines between the real world, and Rehoboams simulated world, to ONE particular 'selfless choice to use free will' that Rehoboam did not take into consideration?

[@chouaibbenali5201]

That would explain also why Incite are after Delos data inside the park,they lack data since the privacy law so he need to buy Delos to perfectly map and run more accurate simulations,at least for the human who visited the park before

[@RichardRagan]

I think your analysis is probably correct. It is fun to think that we are switching back and forth from Rehoboam's simulations to the real world. I think the show runners have made a mistake about how AI works. AI does not work like the human mind that makes assumptions and takes short cuts to understand something. Certainly, humans can improve, and also can get much worse, but good AI would be aware of that -- it's a standard human pattern. On the other hand, AI looks at data and patterns within the data. It only makes assumptions of the data as long as the data supports it. Once there is new evidence, AI would instantly update and create a different assumption to encompass the new data. (For example, where humans can be racist all of their lives, never updating based on new data, AI would quickly to include the new update and understand that not everyone of a race fits that old idea.) AI does not take short cuts, doesn't hold on to old ideas, and does not live in the past. It would see that humans are capable of updates and changes in assumptions, and then the AI would account for that. One thing that confuses me is two personalities in one host. Hale (whose pearl I think is Teddy's) talks about the original Hale (presumably Hale's body) is trying to dig Teddy's pearl out of her body. That implies that the body has some personality and some memory/CPU that is independent of the pearl. So, the host's body has some original Hale personality and also Teddy's dominant pearl, two conflicting CPUs? Also, if we are seeing simulations within simulations, have we really even seen the real world yet? Maybe we only saw a glimpse of the real world at the end of Season 2 when we see the Man in Black in the future where all is desolate and covered in sand? Maybe Season 3 is two primary simulations: Simulation #1 -- of the potential future, desolate and covered in sand, where the hosts may take over and destroy major parts of the world, and Simulation #2 -- Serac is running this simulation to see how the real world could have kept from destroying itself. This second simulation is Rehoboam trying to understand how to prevent the future destruction when the hosts take over and destroy Earth? So, we are bouncing back and forth between these two simulations?

[@Ocean5ix]

I believe there's much more to the aspect ratio. I think they hid it in the second episode to give it a "plot twist" effect but they revealed it in the same episode. I see the aspect ratio not only as a mean for us to understand it's a simulation but also as a self imposed rule that serves transparency between the writers and spectators. I think it servers as a cue that means explicitly that not everything is a simulation so that we don't go haywire looking for simulations everywhere like a lot of theorists are right now. I also think that the sheer amount of times they mentioned the term simulation and even joked about it indicates (at least to me) that it isn't a simulation. To me your theory would be very cool but it would also feel cheap. It wouldn't make me change my opinion on the show but the writers would lose a bit of credit (with me) if they were just conveniently hiding the aspect ratio and waited 7 episodes (or much more depending on how deep we're going with the theory) to reveal instead of a few minutes like in episode 2. It's as if they're like "remember when we fooled you for 10 minutes in episode 2? We fooled you for the entire show, here's your aspect ratio HAHA, we're so smart!". And even if it ends up being like this, everybody would me expecting it because the show already used simulations before and because they mentioned it so much. It would be very bittersweet for me. I'd like it for it's narrative implications but would dislike it as a writing tool.

[@Gabriel-Tár]

The plot twist in episode 2 was nice, but I doubt it will be used a second time. Remember that in the Mirror World (Rehoboam's simulation), Dolores "and the Dominoes" don't exist, because Rehoboam doesn't take them into account and in fact sees them as anomalies. So, there is no way that what we see happening is not in the real world.

[@pauljohnson2195]

Is serac real ? And is Caleb? Did he die in that war ? He says that he was shot in the head. also did anyone notice Dolores puts in the eye divice before talking to him?

[@princeprocrastinate6485]

It could be that we're seeing a simulation, but I hope not, I don't want some reality bending twist this season, not in that way at least. I want what we're seeing to actually be happening in the show's version of the real world and I want Kaleb to be a human not a Host, any other twists outside of those two things I'm more than open to.

[@mrgabgutierrez]

Is this theory all just a jab at KZbin and it's algorithm?

[@agriperma]

KZbin's REHO is reviewing your comment

[@arcanics1971]

Hmm. No. Or yes. Maybe. I can see the reasoning and it IS the kind of thing they'd do... but believing something is true because it typical is conspiracy level fallacious. Though not necessarily wrong... Damn you! I don't know!

[@CottonCandySharks]

Love it!

[@JoniukasVader]

In Deep!

[@carl3810]

Great video ty!!

[@ecurb10]

So, with this season I gather that we've moved on from Ford's master plan or whatever? That's all done with then? So now we have ANOTHER master plan????

[@chakryand]

I don't think Serac is real, just a creation of Rehoboam and it is AI just like the hosts and wants to become fully "alive" and live freely.

[@unrhu]

I just checked back... I CALLED IT.. Check your comment section season 3 episode 1 review.

[@vincentslashmarshall]

I think delores is in the mirror world, but charlotte and maeve are not... since they seem to be running on different timelines

[@nigelhickman2274]

Welcome to party, pal!

[@markg.7865]

I bet that's Dolores in that RICO crime app.

[@CRASS2047]

Westeros is just a park inside West World. That’s what I got from the Dragon in the earlier episode. I mean WEST. EROS

[@ecurb10]

But when host-Charlotte first awakens and looks in the mirror, followed by her self-harming, this hardly seems like a Delores personality - too emotional and sentimental. She THEN changes to a psychopathic Delores-type, after which she gets sentimental again. So if she had Delores inside her all this time, that first phase of her being emotional seems out of place.

[@MrDoobla]

Serac is just a personification of Rehoboam. I’d love to hear Roberts thoughts on this theory

[@profbfc]

In that case, the most interesting person would be be someone who we have not been introduced yet...Roheboam's creator- Liam's father.

[@waltersobchak7275]

What is this? Does it have anything to do with the movie?

[@greggor07]

It's possible, I guess but, god I hope this theory is wrong, especially if it were stretched throughout the entire season, with simulation and reality only meeting at the end. I can't stand: this was all a dream-type stories, lol! They're such a cliché. Regarding Charlotte's message/s to her son, I honestly didn't perceive that as two different versions of it. I just thought she never saw the whole thing when she first came across the message and in the office, she plays all, or most of it.

[@thorstonmanderlay5010]

That's what I thought as well, the first time we just got part of the message and later the full version. Also, I wouldn't say that by showing some humanity regarding her son Charlotte demonstrated she had changed. At that moment she was facing the very real possibility of getting killed. I'm sure even the most cold hearted person will experience some genuine emotions in such a moment. We know that soon after, having survived the massacre, she very quickly reverted to her ruthless self. After all, she killed Elsie in cold blood - an act which prompted Bernard to recreate Dolores!

[@allp84]

Serac wants to transfer all men into rehaboam so that he fully controls the world and give eternal live. A better and controlled world

[@ethelthecat1]

Like these video essays, but wish they were shorter, more succinct and didn't repeat the same points multiple times.

[@andrewsmall1193]

Aren’t all these characters we know hosts, besides Caleb?

[@AnrFishbar]

Waiting for this..

[@Smartacus420]

Thank you... There's been mirrors in every other scene. Mirror world. Wtf is going on

[@TheRichardchaney]

Yes, this. Instead of letter boxing as a tell or clue we are in a simulation what if the appearance of mirrors is the clue? I would like In Deep Geek to do a break down video of mirror scenes.

[@HeathenGeek]

also in some mirror scenes, the background is set up to look like the inside of Rohoboam. . . Caleb getting snatched in the hospital, the scene where they're going to through him off the building. . . :-)

[@n8thal718]

OBSERVATION>>>> Night scenes are Mirror World DAY sceens are REAL World

[@mattgilbert7347]

The Sentient World Simulation project. "The Sentient World Simulation project (SWS) is to be based on SEAS [Synthetic Environment for Analysis and Simulations]. The ultimate goal envisioned by Alok R. Chaturvedi on March 10, 2006 was for SWS to be a "continuously running, continually updated mirror model of the real world that can be used to predict and evaluate future events and courses of action. SWS will react to actual events that occur anywhere in the world and incorporate newly sensed data from the real world. [...] As the models influence each other and the shared synthetic environment, behaviors and trends emerge in the synthetic world as they do in the real world. Analysis can be performed on the trends in the synthetic world to validate alternate worldviews. [...] Information can be easily displayed and readily transitioned from one focus to another using detailed modeling, such as engineering level modeling, to aggregated strategic, theater, or campaign-level modeling." -Wiki

[@chouaibbenali5201]

That's freaky..

[@mattgilbert7347]

@@chouaibbenali5201 Yup. Purdue University project, but I think we can all guess where the bulk of the funding for such a project came from.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

Maeve Copy or William's daughter in host form?

[@WASDxMerceless]

Or Caleb, after he kills himself and Delores remakes him in Hale's body. She's been showing signs of possible schizophrenia with her identity problems saying that Hale is trying to come out which is just not possible being that this is a new body entirely. Caleb's mother had schizophrenia and could have passed it to him as it is hereditary. Delores also told her that she was the only person she can trust. Also the parallels between her son and young Caleb being abandoned by their mothers can't be a coincidence. Now I'm just waiting for a Hale to order a strawberry milkshake and my theory will be complete XD

[@shadowpuppet6707]

@@WASDxMerceless Caleb would not have recognized the "reddish host pearl" so i don't think its him.

[@WASDxMerceless]

@@shadowpuppet6707 yeah true, but which of the hosts would know what it looked like? The only other person that saw it was Elsie? And Hale shot her...I wonder, could it be her? Would explain why she was shocked to be in Hale's body

[@shadowpuppet6707]

@@WASDxMerceless Delores = Wyatt and Hale = Delores? Yeah, im reaching but its Westworld so ya never know....LOL

[@profbfc]

@@shadowpuppet6707 thats just the most popular theory. In fact it would be more reaching if it was anything but that

[@mpalfadel2008]

Anyone else think that Rehoboam and Sarac are the same entity?

[@liferealgood]

Maybe the system knows your future but it cannot compute why humanity come to these decisions. It knows Caleb will kill himself but it doesn’t know the reason behind it. Normally most people associate suicide with depression but what if in the end he does it to save humanity.

[@justinlegowsky1752]

That scene with Dolores and Caleb on the pier also seemed a little weird to me. Him saying he saved her because she was the first real thing that happened to him seemed a little... Selfish. Hearing this theory makes it all come together, he didn't help her because of any reason besides he is a good person.

[@nigelhickman2274]

FFS, Caleb is long dead - but just doesn't know it!

[@John_Locke_108]

So the scene we saw at the end of Season 2, with William testing for fidelity. Does that scene make more sense of we think that it takes place in the mirror world?

[@StreetSoulLover]

It's all so tiresome....

[@rayv1574]

Your point is well-taken. I, too, struggle with the intelligence of the series vs. what seems to be the desire of the showrunners to create a puzzle so complex that people just stop caring. The precipitous drop in Season 3 ratings reflects the latter, I think.

[@alexandrasandu3947]

Indeed it is ... when it comes to this (unfortunately very plausible) theory. I still hope this will not be the case. Surely Nolan/Joy must know ppl can stomach only so much of "it was all a dream". One would think that the depiction of REHO's inability to predict Sizemore's true motivation, along w/ Caleb's storyline, would be enough to drive this point home. No need for depicting "failed" simulations any longer. Anything that's not "real" only makes ppl care less. The fact that REHO manipulates the real world makes the real world just one of its simulations already. Personally, I resist all theories that have Caleb=host, Serac=REHO avatar, "it's a virtual simulation ..." etc LOL

[@TheGamingEcstasy]

@@alexandrasandu3947 Having SOME scenes be part of the REHO simulation is not bad storytelling. Yeah it would be bad if the whole season was a simulation. But seing both reality and being inside the simulation is interesting.

[@SHARKVADERS]

IDG!!!

[@KinsmokeWill]

*Much* more evidence for... Caleb = Hale

[@shadowpuppet6707]

Caleb would not have recognized the "reddish host pearl" so i don't think its him.

[@KinsmokeWill]

@@shadowpuppet6707 Fair point, I still reckon a Caleb = Hale twist seems more westworld. All this mirror world speculation just seems overly convuluted imo

[@UKG_BPM_138]

Fun Fact: There Are Over 17 Mirrors In The Mirror World.

[@HeathenGeek]

I believe you

[@treznoir]

💥🤯

[@ShadeoftheEvening]

I know they're YA books, but I really enjoyed Divergent trilogy📚Author is Veronica Ross. Movies weren't good😜

[@masterxeon1001]

so basically half is a simulation and half is the real events playing out causing said divergence. See you at the end of the season. *gets back to work*

[@gypsyfirefleye7759]

!!!

[@sipypour1569]

Could Dolores be in mirrored world and Hale in actual world?