Westworld S2E05 Explained

What’s up with the hosts in the Valley? What does Dolores do to Teddy? How does Shogunworld reflect Westworld? How is Maeve controlling hosts?
Subscribe: / @altshiftx
Support on Patreon: / altshiftx
Twitter: / altshiftx
Buy Westworld Season 1 Blu-ray: amzn.to/2JMSvHV
Created with Adobe After Effects and a Shure SM7B microphone: www.amazon.com/shop/altshiftx
Images and video from Westworld used here under fair use.
FailArmy nunchuck doofus: • Video
Mesh hub network clip from Shutterstock
References / further reading:
www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/...
• BTS: Shogun World | We...
www.thisisinsider.com/westworl...
/ code_before_and_after_...
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, I think a Faceless Man ran up and said 'Valar Morghulus' before running off?

[@danielwiniarczyk3868]

My favourite part about these videos is that he gets RIGHT TO IT. No introduction begging for likes and suscribes, no silly jokes or plugs, just strictly: "episode 5 starts with...." Best explained videos ever! Well worth the wait!

[@Amsterdammerboi]

Gotta appreciate a seemlessly good mix in of an audible advertisement at the end sometimes though...

[@urorazbojnik5678]

No "Haaaaay guys it's ya boy, it's ya boy, you know who it iiiiiis, it's ya boy, don't forget to like mah video cause it's ya boy." ugh -_-

[@sachinsunil7454]

SO TRUEE

[@mraj8372]

How incredible was that Paint it black cover as they truly entered Shogun world? I had chills.

[@hadayimosi]

It was lazy

[@akrybion]

Have I Got Fake News For You Heretic!

[@stanj85]

Mr Hamilton That truly rocked! They've really stepped up their game when it comes to this season's soundtrack.

[@akumabito2008]

Right? It was amazing - just like the rendition in S01E01. It makes sense - if the narrative is copied and transposed to a Japanese theme, then the music should be, too. It was very well done indeed.

[@olileung8251]

Forget that...how about the insane rendition of Seven Nation Army from episode 3??

[@justGSquared]

HBO should actually pay you for these & show them as the “previously on WestWorld” right before each new episode

[@lucamuller1672]

This is what i've been waiting for all week and i ain't even kidding

[@ebrahimhassan9758]

Luca Müller yes me too , every time I watch the episode I open the channel and refresh to see if the new analysis was posted or not ❤

[@alexandersprout7992]

Not only do we have to anticipate the next upcoming episode...We have to wait for Alt Shift X explanation as well. Best on explanations on KZbin. No pish posh.

[@jflash05]

HBO like " Can we copy strike Alt Shift X, like right now"

[@scofield1154]

jflash05 "A producer gave me 700$, from copystriking. Good money"

[@alexdeming2869]

These explanations are fantastic. I mean this show is so complex with so many narratives interweaving in a non linear fashion which only adds to the complexity. It also has a ton of symbolism and philosophical meaning and inquiry. I get some of it while watching but these videos really clear things up and bring things together which makes it easier to watch the next episode. It’s really impressive how the maker(s) of these videos are able to catch so much and explain it so well. Very intelligent people behind these

[@ItsMeMissV369]

They may just be scripting real-life narratives 😧

[@MarkHogan994]

"Akane no mai" definitely means "Akane's dance" or "Dance of Akane" in this context. "Akane" does not really mean "deep red", it's just the name of a plant that is used to make deep red dye. If you want to make it a color, you have to say "akane-iro" (color of akane plant ; 茜色). So "deep red dance" would be "akane-iro no mai" (茜色の舞). Source : I'm studying Japanese, and Japanese online dictionaries confirm it. "Akane" on its own is just the name, or the noun for the plant.

[@rkeezy410]

and that's all from resident Japanese Expert Mark Hogan, back to you, Alt-Shift-X!

[@MarkHogan994]

+rkeezy410 Not an expert, just a student. But I'm certain of this, it's just basic grammar.

[@Emily-oc2yr]

From a writing aspect- it could be symbolic. Akane is the plant used to make a deep red dye and Akane the person made a deep red dance due to the blood she created by killing the Shogun. So, it's probably a metaphor and was not given a literal translation for that reason.

[@MarkHogan994]

+Emily Weeden I get what you mean, but Japanese doesn't really work that way. That wouldn't be considered a metaphor and wouldn't be understood that way by a Japanese person. The title _is_ actually in this case a literal translation. It literally translates to "Akane's dance". Which is the final scene of the episode, so it makes perfect sense.

[@Emily-oc2yr]

How about this - ASX could have better phrased it as "Akane's name is symbolic as it is the name of a plant that is used to make a deep red dye. The title, which translates to 'Akane's Dance' becomes meaningful as she ends her dance covered in the deep red blood of Shojun after she chops off his head." (or something like that) The point he was making is that the title of the episode and her name foreshadowed how her dance would end - in deep red. Same thing with Sakura's name: it's a delicate, beautiful flower that only blooms for a short time. The names are obvious metaphors in this show and are used to either reflect character storylines or their personalities.

[@Lazaras]

I like Maeve and Dolores being a Yin and Yang of awoken hosts. It would make sense for them to develop their consciousness differently and uniquely.

[@Haruka_Power]

“So rich weebs could wave katana around” me if I could go

[@robinmaibals1193]

Do you have the power of god and anime on your side?

[@xPorsum]

This whole episode actually felt like an anime to me... murdering a shotguns messenger I can deal with but mind control powers and going straight into enemy territory with no real plan and only in a group of like 7.... Uhh yet somehow they win because Maeve can suddenly control whoever she wants with no practice needed.

[@Haruka_Power]

xPorsum I was so surprised that Maeve’s Japanese is actually pretty decent, in tv series they usually just speak a few sentences or just use voice over. She definitely spent the time to learn the script, such professional.

[@xPorsum]

Viktor Nikiforov true but you could still tell she was butchering it with her pronunciations lol i would have actually preferred a voiceover considering its supposed to be in her code and thinking of the rich clientele westworld has having a host be programmed to speak japanese in an obviously bad accent seems like an odd choice to make.

[@Haruka_Power]

xPorsum at least the pronunciation is understandable, but could you image if it’s done by a Japanese voice actor,I would die haha

[@sleven8013]

I didn’t understand why they chose to play Paint it Black again until Armistice started started talking and I realized we were experiencing the same scene as in season 1 but shogun style. That was really cool.

[@mihajlo961x]

Mate, I look forward to your new episodes every week. Kudos, and thank you!

[@HueyTheDoctor]

I was unable to watch your analysis videos for a few weeks because I fell behind on Westworld. Yesterday I got fully caught up and my next immediate thought was "I cannot wait to hear what Alt Shift X has to say about all this." I'm almost as eager to watch your breakdowns as I am to watch the episodes themselves, is the point; clearly you're doing something very right.

[@qwerty_314]

10:55 I'll do you one better, why is Bernard?!

[@BrBill]

Drax kickback

[@Austrocylindropuntia]

How is Bernard?

[@AOG91]

Erick R. Mendez 😂

[@LucasAndradeHD]

Thank you for making these every week! You help understand the show a lot better!

[@billylardner]

I’d argue Maeve has developed consciousness with the voice. Now she can control other hosts using a “new voice” from herself. Ford also did this on multiple occasions, controlling his surroundings without a word. This confirms that her own decision at the end of season 1 was indeed fully her own.

[@guccigucci5002]

id be so lost without watching this channel. I miss so damn much when I watch episodes

[@innocentazn]

your level of analysis is amazing. TY

[@Izahdnb]

Couldn't Maeve have given the soldiers an other order like stand down or sit down and meditate, in stead of kill eachother? She's a mass murderer.

[@DoofusMonkey]

I have two answers to this: 1. It's not mass murder because she's just destroying a bunch of machines. They're not sentient beings like she is. Are you a murderer when you dispose of your Siri? 2. She's growing into these powers. "Kill eachother" is a very simple command. It requires her to take control of them for only a moment, and the problem is solved. "Stand down" or "Sit down and meditate" is much more complex. It doesn't solve the problem of being surrounded by dozens or hundreds of hostile samurai. It merely delays it. She just might not be capable of sustained control over such a force. Or she might not be confident enough in her own abilities to attempt it. What good is it to have them stand down or sit down and meditate for a minute, draining her own power, and then losing control over them and getting murdered?

[@BigV24]

Frankske Verstraeten how does it make sense for Maeve to order those Samurai to kill themselves while more reinforcements are arriving? Wouldn’t she be better off using them instead of picking up a sword herself?

[@ducreat]

It's easier to confuse them than dorminate them all.

[@MarilynMalkovich]

I don't think she was feeling particularly sympathetic towards them my dude

[@o_-_o]

I have watched many other reviews but what I really wait for the whole week is your exceptionally elaborated explanations.

[@BlackavarWD]

"He's off his loop... " 😁 My new favorite way to say someone is crazy.

[@adamread7507]

There's an old saying "Have you lost the plot?" Kinda similar tbh

[@jimmyolsenblues]

You are the best reviewer on youtube.

[@WiseBites24]

so sorry to hear about copyrights problems you defiantly add another depth to the series and every week i look forward to your videos. keep it up xoxo

[@r.lewisblake7793]

Great ad at the end of S2E6 commentary. I'm not sure if you're the only one blending ads into content on the Internet, but you got my attention! Great work! I hope you can keep it up.

[@Emmaaa2906]

About the flies that spread bluetongue to the cows, do you remember the flies from season 1? How they sat on the faces of hosts. I do not remember all the hosts that this happened to, but it happened to Dolores who gains consciousness. Do you think there could be a connection there? Maybe Ford sent something out via the flies, or maybe the flies just pointed out which hosts were coming to consciousness?

[@citizensofthefreehold955]

Your content is among the most delightful parts of the interwebz

[@EpicChocolateSauce]

You continue to have some of the best analysis videos in this site!

[@dc8836]

I really wish they'd find some way to actually justify Delos security getting their asses whipped by hosts wielding severely outdated tech. You're gonna tell me that super futuristic body armor made from futuristic composites can't stop .45 long colt or .45-70? The setting of Westworld allows for literal cloning and full AI (the hosts are quite literally AIs, as we're seeing once they're unshackled as Maeve, Dolores, etc have been), but they haven't figured out carapace armor or other, more sturdy armor? They're using some kind of shitty futuristic kevlar? Their solution to assaulting a fortified position was to just... walk out into an open field and slowly walk at them? Sure, they have superior firepower but they clearly know their armor doesn't do jack against the enemy bullets and the hosts will, at minimum, be decent shots. If they have access to buggies and other equipment, where's a LAW or grenade launcher? What about a SAW or other weapon to suppress enemy fire? Did HBO hire the people that write Walking Dead or something? Shit pisses me the fuck off.

[@red0guy]

And without helmets, to make sure a 19th century weapon could kill them!!!!!

[@zazzrazzamatazz9970]

Wow, HBO gives you grief over these videos?? I'd think they'd be promoting them! Your WW and GoT videos are hands-down the best recaps out there! Indispensable for these kinds of shows...

[@JP_Stone]

When I saw Mave use her Neo powers to control the hosts all I could think of was Keanu Reeves saying "Woah!" Very cool though. Thanks for the vid, I have been so confused by the week before/week after timelines and this cleared it up for me...I think. This is getting super cerebral.

[@humanoideric]

These questions you raised from the ep are actually more fascinating to me than the exposition in the actual episode Lol. Cant wait for Sunday though :D

[@Katibree]

6:00 The SHADE 😅😂🤣

[@jasmine9538]

Your explanations are so much better than other's.

[@McBackstabber]

Was not expecting the Zoolander reference but it's oddly on point.

[@dougcole518]

Been waiting all week for this breakdown - thanks Alt-Shift team!

[@manantank]

i love how you sincerely explain videos with just a hint of delicate humour.

[@sivasandeep8145]

You’re the best Westworld channel I’ve stumbled across this season 👍🏽👏🏽

[@Stelloshow]

"Magic Wi-Fi superpower" love this channel

[@marniespeaks]

there was an update on Maves story line - her computer data says she abandons escape. So Mave is being controlled like Dolores. I'm going to guess it's Arnold, cause he's the one at the center of the maze and once they reached that he like the BOSS in a video game, a new door they open that released him, but Ford also has a backdoor, so he's probably in there too.

[@penbucket]

Another fantastic deconstruction. Never miss them. Thank you.

[@mikebanks8900]

Freaking great analysis as always. Keep up the good work.

[@SuRvIvOrLP]

I don't really enjoy the new season so far, so I am always more excited about your video than the actual new episode

[@Xsopit24631]

I love looking at it all at the end. great job as always!

[@IsThatEtchas]

I laughed really hard at "what, when and who is Bernard"

[@kaustavmajumdar7572]

So awesome. I keep getting impressed with pic edits.

[@MrChopstsicks]

What I think fundamentally of the security battle between Fort Forlorn and Shogun is the approach of the battle. WW has guns so they stay back having a defensive position (outside the fort, why?) while in SW the warriors have to close the distance in an open road. We also saw that Maeve was ambushed by the Ronins, probably also how the Delos security were killed.

[@MrMrAzad]

BEST videos.. i appreciate u so much!

[@AlexDincht]

I think you might have skimmed over the Mariposa scene a bit too fast. True, the two Clementines show Teddy just how fake their lives there were, but there's more to it. Old Clem's status after decommission is ambiguous: she's functioning, but does she have a personality at all? Is she just a blank slate, and that's why she works so well as Dolores' muscle? She seems to be recalling parts of herself despite the "lobotomy" they gave her, and her expressions seem to suggest she's somewhat emotional over that (I read them as nostalgic). Meanwhile, Dolores just cuts her short and sends her off to do her bidding. Her treatment of Teddy makes it the most obvious, but the way she cuts short even Clem's attempt at finding her old (true?) self raises a question: does Dolores care at all about other hosts, their consciousness and personalities?

[@dougcole518]

I don't think she cares about them. She seems to be using them all as a means to her personal end. Hence what she did to the soldiers a few eps back (locking them out of the fort to cause a diversion). Her end goal seems to be to get to William's "weapon" and get herself out of the park

[@Cypekjam94]

i have literally have been wating for this my whole evening

[@simonkrslund6488]

Rigtig god forklaring, på hvad der egentlig skete i sidste afsnit. Mange tak

[@Parvin_Jan]

Hey man, Thank you so much. I can not enjoy this show without you. Thanks for your Subtitle.

[@sageakporherhe783]

hahaha, as always, I love your straight to the point humorous videos. Keep it going.

[@anafreitas1646]

Loved the video. Great explanation & exposition.

[@GrungeRockGod]

HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A RICH WEEB SCORNED

[@davidwilliams9948]

Your videos are awesome! Funny, and insightful.

[@KingsDecreeHeyo]

Love the vids man! Keep up the great work!

[@Garland67]

Great review. Nicely done and easy to follow. Thanks!

[@Champagne420]

Thanks for the upload broski

[@snaideramos]

It reminds me of the cgp grey video "you are two" and the veritasium one that resumes "Thinking, Fast and Slow" book. Understand consiousness as a dual system it's actually quite accurate.

[@DavidNunezPNW]

BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO ALL WEEK 😭

[@MaximilienRobespierre1]

I think Delores and Maeve represent reason and emotion

[@TurKs1903]

I think there is a chess game between Arnold and Ford. Arnold using Maeve and Ford is using Dolores.

[@gl0bal7474]

your analysis of Westworld is the best bar none

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

This episode (and much of the season) reminds me of a conversation from The Velveteen Rabbit: "'What is REAL?' the Velveteen Rabbit asked the Skin Horse one day. 'Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?' 'Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.' 'Does it hurt?' asked the Rabbit. 'Sometimes,' said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. 'When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.' 'Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,' he asked, 'or bit by bit?' 'It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse. 'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." ― The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

[@-AdApt-]

Thanks for these videos 👍

[@Bottlecap21]

absolutely nuts this channel doesn't at least 5mil subs, top tier content on youtube

[@dexterremy8258]

Akane’s dance was to a very awesome version of Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.”, by the way-I thought you would mention that. Whoever is choosing the music to transform is doing a helluva job! Love this channel-thank you for the great analysis!

[@theunundunly5368]

The episode was phenomenal and beautiful!!!!!

[@carltracy9112]

who ever does your videos is amazing

[@dekbrown]

Lovely job as always my man. Here’s to you.

[@kmhrt]

thank you for clarifying that's a train at 4:27 i couldn't tell at first

[@bagnomaria994]

Oh man can't wait to see the video of yesterday's episode

[@ajojoreference2307]

The Geisha music during the dance was actually a rendition of CREAM by Wu Tang Clan. Very neat!

[@EternalDensity]

I wasn't expecting Graham Stark! Nunchuck jousting! 5:14

[@EternalDensity]

The actual origin story of the nunchuck fail video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJLOl4GpqNmdopY

[@martasikora6503]

you are the best, simply the best

[@deborahvancelotte1522]

Thank u man, i realy like your videos.

[@lanky9060]

Love it reassures what I thought. Thank you

[@lisquidsnake]

Maeve used her pain to unlock the tsukuyomi.

[@okaymckay]

I'm glad someone else has addressed the Maeve-Neo paralel, I thought I was the only one (surprisingly)

[@RAGINGXBULL2]

So the Ghost nation people don't respond to voice commands since they weren't spoken in their native tongue, yet stubs trys to freeze them by saying "freeze all motor functions".

[@VincoMalus]

Best editing ever!!💪👏

[@Schmidteren]

ford still has a clone of himself behind the scenes. drinking scotch and enjoying the show.

[@danielvmay]

I stopped watching Westworld, but I still watch your videos.

[@Sarahmint]

Love your videos

[@StarkaryenSnow]

Who, what and when is Bernard? I'll do you one better -- why is Bernard?!!!!!!!

[@hugoj1129]

why do i enjoy theese more than the show

[@policesquad]

The show is bad

[@icekermit]

Well done! 👏🏽

great video!

[@L_ky]

one of the reasons why HBO might be copyright striking these video is due to the fact that it literally explains the episodes. I absolutely enjoy these videos as It is nice to recap episodes before watching the new one coming out in couple days. However for those who do not have HBO subscription and do not have time or money to bother subscribing to HBO may use this as a method to not even bother watching the show. Perhaps that is the reason why HBO keeps copyright claiming. Absurd, but definitely understandable from marketing point of view.

[@gpeddino]

Maybe her grief/suffering after Sakura's murder will make Akane change her mind about Maeve's offer of "freedom". It would be cool to have her join the team.

[@leviwelling2093]

Not to mention Akane’s dance was performed to the music of C.R.E.A.M. by the Wu-Tang Clan.

[@resulkaragoz1867]

Without these perfect explanation videos, I wouldn't be able to enjoy this series as much as I do now! Thank you so much. HBO should have paid you for making these awesome videos and making more people want to watch this series but instead, they copyright! Shame.

[@sunny_ua]

I think that Maeve controlling hosts with her mind means that Robert Ford still lives in some form. Clearly controlling hosts with no voice commands isn't possible, seeing how Sizemore is surprised. But Ford did just that in Season 1. So I assume Ford has died a while ago and we've only seen a host bearing his consciousness.

[@DrLinden]

As someone who's already seen game of thrones that spoiler seemed a little uncalled for

[@darkenergyhotep5793]

Maeve has been fed a kind of Royal jelly AKA being "Woke" and able to Waken others. I fear Delores has also consumed this Royal jelly. & Now we have 2 queens on the chess table. Heck maybe even 3 because of Akane. Keep up the great work.

[@KismetBP]

Saw this in my sub box...instantly tapped!

[@saiskanda]

Incase anyone was wondering about who Stannis and Shireen are... They are from Game Of Thrones... Unlikely that you won't know... But just in case...

[@madmanmaverick6725]

I mean its a bit of an assumption that everybody has seen GOT already. They should probably edit that out

[@saiskanda]

MadManMaverick was thinking the same.. but no big deal...

[@sophonax661]

MadManMaverick No I think it's because AltShift X got most of his subscribers for his (fabulous) GoT videos. I'd guess at least 90% of his audience are familiar with it. But ofc I could be wrong with that number.

[@GeeeeezGamingIL]

MegaTheInternet It's like porn but with dragons

[@callmeishmael2196]

Incredible work my son.

[@Austrocylindropuntia]

“Who, what, and when is Bernard?” That feels like a subtle reference to Infinity War.

[@vanessaraices8389]

The best to way to me how westworld is. Im so confused 😨 but i HOPE more next week. Cant wait love,channel 👏👏🖒

[@AllYouWantAndMore]

Yay! Ok, so can you make a detailed video on the differences between Maeve and Dolores? Like, it's a very different story. Maeve actually gave herself a new behavioral profile. I understand that Wyatt is also a different profile. But which is better? Did they awaken days apart? Weeks apart? What's the timeline? Thanks!