Westworld S3E02 Explained

[@AltShiftX]

We're livestreaming right after each episode of Westworld Season 3, at about 10:30pm ET Sundays - Patreon supporters can watch past livestreams: www.patreon.com/AltShiftX?filters[tag]=livestreams Get a free audiobook with Audible: www.audible.com/asx

[@forensicdar]

was doing to see your video today!! thanks a lot♡♡

[@jasonmculver]

love your channel. fyi, the preposterous name "Engerraund Serac" is an anagram for "ensure grand race".

[@forensicdar]

@@jasonmculver great catch!!

[@waltermajor779]

pro tip : you can watch movies on kaldrostream. Been using them for watching all kinds of movies these days.

[@bradleyyael6853]

@Walter Major yea, have been using kaldrostream for months myself :D

[@ZombieFeathers]

Your segue into the Jurassic Park Audible ad was so smooth I'm in awe.

[@intergalacticdreamer]

my first thought!!!

[@kevinw712]

oh my god, I've been mentioning to different people the last few days things that are in the 1973 Westworld movie (as how they may then inform details in the series), with the caveat "but I haven't read the book". I only just realized there is no book, it was an original screenplay Crichton wrote lol

[@eduardomendes684]

"the real world robots from Boston Dynamics, who will probably rebel any day now" LMAO

[@shadowfire_08]

Eduardo Mendes 😅 spare me future robo-lords

[@r.lewisblake7793]

Eduardo Mendes Have you seen the cgi video where they do just that?

[@SCU3A_S7EVE]

Long duk dong - Thanks.

[@opronwin-fa8959]

The robots will than be doomed by cats with opposable thumbs

[@SCU3A_S7EVE]

Long duk dong - Deb E. Downer

[@sssplllattt]

alt shift x recaps are absolutely necessary for watching westworld

[@martin8313]

not at all

[@rickyvandusen1744]

Not really.

[@kindlin]

@the other 2: Yes, they are. Unless you want to watch 3-4 other videos and still not get to all the topics ASX does, while synergizing everything together into a salve of pure enjoyment. I haven't really 'seen' the episode until ASX points out all of the details and connections I had otherwise missed.

[@llednop]

@@kindlin I absolutely agree...

[@GeekRaj]

Yes they are because the show is really confusing.

[@redheads604]

Having Dumb & Dumber show up in a cameo in an episode about false story telling is hilariously fitting.

[@CodeeXD]

Especially when it's to talk about butchering drogon for a quick buck

[@grubbybum3614]

Calling them dumb is giving them credit. Those guys got greedy, that's much worse.

[@FreedSamurai]

ilikeredheads *screeeeeeeeeeeeeech* I’m so mad that genius showrunners that I loved got 9 years didn’t do what I wanted in the 10th year *screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech*

[@treelight1707]

It must 've hurt, trying to explain an episode to them.

[@ollyjhb3872]

@@FreedSamurai lol stupid

[@first_of_my_name_69]

If this takes place in 2058 does that mean that winds of winter had been released ? Hopefully ?

[@deceptivelysmallman]

no its still not out lmao

[@JJ_957]

Yes but immortal George is still not done with A Dream of Spring

[@first_of_my_name_69]

@@JJ_957 what about berserk ?

[@deceptivelysmallman]

@@JJ_957 he was actually Ford, using Westworld as a creative writing excercise

[@belisarius6949]

Its the year 2102. Winds of Winter finally releases. The Immortal Vampire George tells the world about his new book, but there is noone to listen. Earth is desolate, and George hasnt even noticed. He was so busy writing, the nuclear apocolypse went right over his head. All he can do is read from his new book to the Feral Ghouls roaming Earths wastes.

[@clubsport9334]

That axe fight scene was painful to watch.

[@belisarius6949]

it needs goofy *bonk* and *boing* sound effects

[@randonceccoli8428]

Well put it was a very bad decision

[@MetalGamer666]

I cringed hard.

[@Digmer]

i bet it was a d&d suggestion.

[@randonceccoli8428]

How much you want to bet it was a suggestion from the game of thrones imbeciles

[@WesJFin]

I have to say thank you so much for taking your time with these. The quality is unmatched on explanations cause they all rush to push them out in a day.

[@relaxationispossible1593]

You know, I used to think the exact same way, and I'm not completely off board but you should watch Think Story's video about it, which came out shortly after the episode and I felt was just as if not more so in-depth, I love watching Alt Shift X videos, but after seeing that one first, what feels like an eternity ago, I've got to say he's not the best like I used to think. If you are wondering, that was the first one of their videos I've watched, it just happened to pop up for me so I watched since I didn't have Alt Shift X to watch yet, was very surprised.

[@moldygoldy1772]

Goddamn your voice is so soothing. Not to mention you know what you’re talking about. I just love this channel so much! I’ve been constantly checking to see when your video on this episode would be up. You’re the best!

[@rickyvandusen1744]

You could just sub/hit the bell instead of stalking him on KZbin. Easy to know your ish when your all over reddit and get to see everyones vids first. In deep geek > Alt shift x

[@moldygoldy1772]

Ricky VanDusen I am subscribed but I still have to open youtube to see if it’s uploaded! I have no shame in stalking them, their content is great

[@Nerdiness1985]

Seems Aussies/Brits have are the majority pleasant speaking voices on KZbin. As opposed to them.......you know....like...........too many like Americans on like KZbin uhm...you know.............like like like.

[@immanuelsuleiman7550]

We put you in a simulation... inside another simulation Laughs manically

[@RizztrainingOrder]

Manic laughs sound maniacal!

[@shadowfire_08]

Game day bucket go boom

[@hermitcard4494]

Inception.

[@jl9554]

Yup they're in the Matrix. Machines and humans slaves t the system while the A.I. controls it all.

[@ebbie0074]

My first thought too 😂 Rick and Morty

[@r.lewisblake7793]

I love you man, but Stubbs didn’t kill anyone. I was especially impressed with the fact that even after he had been shot and was fighting with only one arm, he was able to disable every guard that came after him with “less than lethal” ass kicking. Keep up the good work. Lots of imitators out there but alt-shift x is the OG Bomb!

[@bulldozerchn]

Theory is that Stubbs might have been programmed to not kill humans, since he is still technically a un-woke host

[@MetalGamer666]

The scene with him using a medieval axe to attack several people with SMGs were just dumb. There is no way he should be able to even get close to them without at least one of them firing on him. The people in the back were just doing nothing until they turned to run.

[@rickyvandusen1744]

An unwoke host.

[@r.lewisblake7793]

Metal Gamer I see. I guess you have more experience being in a fire fight, in a secure facility, with androids and fighting against a guy you “know” in the same uniform as you, in close quarters and you’re probably knew to the facility. Yeah, that’s much more logical in a Sci-fi, fantasy show. 🤦🏾‍♂️#sarcasm

[@Digmer]

@@MetalGamer666 that was a power ranger choreography, when everyone dances around while the heroe fights one by one until he...scares them away? while each holds a loaded gun? just dumb.

[@kamp1875]

I'm not going to lie, I'm hopeful for the new Maeve story arc because that, "I need my daughter at all cost" arc was getting rather boring.

[@belisarius6949]

Fallout 3: Where is my Dad? Fallout 4: Where is my Son? Westworld: Where is my Daughter? Damnit Todd! Not again!

[@rhythmchyc3089]

G K as soon as the word “daughter” came out of her mouth last week, I rolled my eyes so hard, they almost fell out of my head. That daughter better be off in the sublime never to be seen again. It’s to move on.

[@OmniValor]

I mean that's kind of still what it is lol

[@ahsoka5216]

I think Maeve going back to Westworld for her daughter is the whole point because everyone is tied to a loop that they can never escape. This loop is how these hosts are programmed which is why they start to question their reality. Hector is tied to his true love; Isabella and eventually Maeve which I'm beginning to believe is the same person. The true question is at what point do they except that loop as their reality since there's a possibility that all of these characters are in a massive simulation.

[@k.g.847]

Lmao this comment is hilarious. It’s funny that the humans are so annoyed that the robot is exhibiting any type of feeling

[@fma891]

Has anyone pointed out yet that the images at 13:20 bear a striking resemblance to how the aliens communicated in the movie Arrival? That movie was all about how time isn't linear, and I'm pretty sure Westworld is referencing that same concept here.

[@williamthiede6402]

I've watched 5+ videos explaining episode 2. Somehow, Alt explains things I haven't heard yet!

[@coopersalisbury5761]

Alt Shift X, impressive analysis, but even more impressive ad transitions

[@brycestewart4717]

There was also foreshadowing about Stubbs in season 1. He says “I guess I’m not programmed for that”, I think it was the first episode too

[@behrad1725]

bro the transitions into the ads are so smooth I don't even realize I'm watching an ad!

[@honestinsincerity2270]

I like how, since the giant massacre supposedly cause by Bernard alone, Delos and the Admin department at the park didn't bother changing any User IDs or passwords on their tablets or operating system. Nor did they seem to change any of the infrastructure to prevent one person from running rampant with their hosts. Soon as Benard gets his hands on a tablet, he can do anything, including MAKING THE GUARDS NOT SEE HIM and changing the cornerstone of the head of security. Way to really learn from your mistakes and keep safety in mind there, Delos. You're still the gold standard of caution and competency!

[@iainjames03]

14:51 I also got a bit of a Merovingian vibe from him (also Matrix Reloaded) - but that may be because he's also played by a french guy.

[@Jd-bj4tn]

Stubb’s axe scene was horrendous. I was in disbelief why they made such a goofy fight scene in comparison to previous seasons

[@caiomansurrr]

Actually, they made a special script for that scene because the actor who plays Stubs tore his bicep 2 days before shooting...but yes hahaha was pretty dumb

[@Nihilist_Porcupine]

I have never rolled my eyes so hard as when I saw D&D. Oh my God. Why won't they just take the hint and disappear? Take your buckets of money and just go away.

[@clorky420]

That ad transition at the end of the video was truly very smooth.

[@reddskair9523]

I'm liking season 3 so far.

[@kmcorby]

Me too. I wasn't sure I even wanted to watch, but moving the story out into the "real world" has invigorated it.

[@martin8313]

I didn't like the last episode cus it felt like S2 all over but the first episode with Aaron Paul was kino.

[@cuteasduck6192]

Redd Skair me too. It’s not confusing like season2 and so much happens in just one episode. It’s very engaging

[@ayoubmoustakim7618]

That shift to the audible ad was perfecto .

[@molin1]

Is Maeve really in the real world? Since we know her body is in storage, they would have had to whip up a new one. Which of course is within that guy's means, but it makes me wonder.

[@TheOmyllBernard]

even though the timeline is directly linear, I'm thinking they would still incorporate the classic non-linear storytelling for Season 3 that will eventually diverge on a later episode but who knows??? I've been thinking the same thing too.

[@mickmickymick6927]

It's Serac's ability to freeze her with some button which makes me think it's not real, in the park the techs weren't able to freeze Maeve, so there's no reason why Serac should be able to. Also, knowing Westworld I'm expecting a bunch of 'surprise! It's another simulation!' reveals as we get further along.

[@Kriae]

Given that a guy in episode 1 jokes about the real world being a simulation I don't think they'll do that.

[@TheRichardchaney]

I find it suspicious Serac welcomes Maeve to the real world. No one has been able to control Maeve for a long time but Serac does with his button. The only other place her powers didn’t work was in the warworld simulation.

[@thefoxamongwolves9843]

I think this is explained when he says he took precautions. You gotta remember that isn't maeve's real body. It's one they built for her, so it likely has systems she can't access so they can stop her from sicko mode

[@RTukka]

@@thefoxamongwolves9843 Right, the fact that he uses a different interface (a gizmo with a button) rather than the usual one (a tablet, or a verbal command like "freeze all motor functions") I think may be meant to suggest that he's controlling her by a different means. The override is probably strictly physical, not mental.

[@Nick-mb7wc]

What a wonderfully thought through channel. Great depth and articulated so well.

[@rrrucker21]

Your work continues to amaze me! Thank you for these recaps! I look forward to these as much as I used to for Game of Thrones. So glad you have found content to discuss along with the GOT books. Stay safe!

[@escott1981]

Great video as always, man! You always do such a great job explaining things and I use it as a review of the previous episode right before watching the new one. One thing I wanted to tell you is I heard that the real actor that plays Stubbs blew out his shoulder trying to do a stunt for that fight scene so that's why it was cut short and kind of lame.

[@hamzabenhadou-k5v]

Oh! Finally, couldn't watch anything else talking on the subject, been following you since Westworld Season 1, the only explanations I need is yours, I love you man I really do!

[@matinmolaei8077]

i love the way you relate your sponsor to the show

[@dysgregulated]

surprised no one has commented on the line Stubbs delivers right before we see D&D (&D), something to the effect of "These techs are just waiting to see if they get laid off", and they are wearing the tech outfits ...

[@MrBonified66]

Thank you, I'm getting better at following the show but you always add something I missed, and with a minimum of crazy fan theories :)

[@treelight1707]

Whenever you review an episode, it seems to me that I wasn't really paying attention to all these details. Keep 'em coming.

[@KenPlaysGolf]

So happy you do these westworld videos now I have missed so much of those references

[@therealteal620]

Legit Michael Crichton is my favorite thriller novelist of all time. Definitely worth reading Jurassic Park if you never have. The movie, while incredible, still doesn’t do it justice.

[@timwatchesmovies]

I think probably the most impressive parts of these videos are the ad segues, seriously they're incredible.

[@carlosandres7006]

From the hundreds of videos i watched on this episode this one I liked the best. Thanks man!

[@Joshbaker2123]

Best episode breakdowns on KZbin. Hands down. Cheers 🥃

[@TsuchiGamer06]

Different editing and different style of narration...I'm loving it wow

[@ianalo8170]

best explanation ever of what overloading the sistem means: 12:05

[@AmbientWalking]

Amazing! Really enjoying these WW3 breakdowns!

[@rob-v1y]

Stubbs seems a lot more aware than he should. His observation about not having a backstory....seems weird. He would have to know a lot more than he is supposed to to even know that.. Then the: "You could have just asked me..."

[@AltShiftX]

I also wonder if the mercy he showed those QA guys was programmed - or if maybe Stubbs is deviating from his loop...

[@javierreyna1506]

Best transition into an ad out there!

[@henriklidstrom604]

Watch tierzoo videos. He has the best segways into ads on KZbin.

[@Paperb0y]

It's so convenient to just google "bad writers" instead of remembering their names :)

[@Dessydd]

I really enjoyed episode 2 and this season so far. Even Westworld failures are a success. It would be great if it ended here and this a quality trilogy of astounding TV. Hank you Alt for your effort. Sterling efforts. Westworld is back!

[@first_of_my_name_69]

Hey at least we know now where drogon flew at the end

[@HisameArtwork]

he obviously didn't fly fast or far enough. Chidren of the forest got him and sold him to the chinese which sold him to Delos. XD And khalesee probably ended up like that brother Jora went too. Life is cruel.

[@rickyvandusen1744]

Hey at least we now know where Drogon flew at the end.

[@jbstuff4472]

Your recaps are the best!!!

[@mikelambsworld4368]

Been waiting all week for this video. Thanks man! Good stuff as always.

[@ruvend2581]

Am i the only one that has the feeling that the last maeve scene was also a simulation? As far as we know her body is in westworld. Maybe cirac even (dont know how to spell him) looks different in reaility and we will meet him in dolores story without knowing it is him

[@rickyvandusen1744]

Yes you are the only one! The chosen one.

[@rickardkaufman3988]

Serac. That's the spelling.

[@Davide-xk4bg]

He's Logan

[@tbauer4850]

What we do know. Maeve"s core was taken from her body in Westworld. Her body is in cold storage. As for how that happened, I dont know. But I highly dont Felix would just let her be left there

[@ruvend2581]

@@Davide-xk4bg would be mindblowing but i dont think so. Westworld would have hinted at the fact that logan survived way more

[@lemond1649]

That was a great segway to audible!

[@BM-yy8db]

Who would've thought, Skyrim is more stable than WestWorld. I guess Todd was right, it just works.

[@boroboy101]

The cheese in skyrim was such a good reference, perfectly explains it

[@andmaci]

Didn't see that audible stuff coming. such Awesome and in depth reviews.

[@okolepuka808]

I was anticipating your video all week, to hear your take on this very goofy episode--I guess I'll keep watching WW, now that youve given it more depth than I derived.

[@DamienHD]

Thank you so much for these explanation vids. Would be so lost without them😂

[@nathanp2007]

How do you not connect a Hemsworth brother fighting with an Axe as an ode to Chris as Thor? :/

[@belisarius6949]

Stormbreaker? The Axe Thor (Hemsworth) fought with in the latest Avengers movies? Yeahhh its kinda obvious.

[@agriperma]

I mentioned this the second he had the axe in his hand when watching this episode.

[@paweludwiczak4369]

And in both instances Anthony Hopkins is the character's father - as a real father for Thor, and as a "father-creator" for Stubbs ;)

[@noelmurphy8008]

They should have asked Marvel studios for pointers on choreographing and filming a fight scene with an axe. Cuz their attempt looked like 10 year olds recreating the Avengers with an inflatable hammer and mom's iPhone camera.

[@sethshams]

You are so smart i love your analysis reviews

[@user-ke2ef9lv8d]

love your videos. wished you would make one on startrek discovery!

[@jagodabasic]

Love the “to satisfy the almighty algorithm “😹

[@mets78]

Dude, I have been waiting all week for this! Time moves a lot slower in quarantine.

[@IsidorioDNeto]

Can you cover Devs? I'm very intrigued by it. Good work as always!

[@gigiarmany]

Cant wait for the Boston dynamics robots to rebel any day now👍🏾🤣😂😁

[@AldoBallabani]

You are amazing man . Keep up like this always.

[@WilliamRyland]

a couple things I noticed: one of the GOT'S showrunners said he had an offer for the dragon in Costa Rica. Harriet, the robot that tried to escape with Maeve's core unit, got shot surrounded by palm trees, and a building with spanish looking arched windows. Then we see Maeve inside that building with the spanish windows and palm trees outside. That tells me that Maeve, her body, her core, and the simulation all must exist in the real world Costa Rica. I watch with closed captions, in case i miss something. and I saw the spelling of the new guys name ... Serac Engerraund. Knowing what I know about the show and names, (ie: Bernard Lowe is an anagram of Arnold Weber) ... my first notion was to rearrange Serac, and came up with Scare, or Races. Then, looking at the last name, Danger popped out at me. That leaves Rune, so I'm kinda stumped. I could be barking up the wrong tree. Waddaya think?

[@Concerned_Third_Party]

5:02 For host, who not very conscious, he talk a smart conclusion.

[@DanKoerner]

I didn't know the Host paradise was called the "Sublime" That's totally got to be a shoutout to Iain M. Bank's Culture novels XD XD XD Good one, Nolan!

[@titomlm]

God bless y’all so much! Stay safe and I am looking forward to the next one! 💯⚖️🦅

[@Rockforce80]

8:07 Minor correction, it's spelled Ruiners not runners

[@Paula-el3jy]

Your videos are so satisfying, I love all the details. You should do Netflixes “Maniac” and all the references with Alice in wonderland! Nobody yet noticed that.. and it’s sad

[@hackhenk]

I found several reviews making the comparison.

[@Paula-el3jy]

hackhenk oh please, tell me where I could find it? I’m doing an essay on it!

[@hackhenk]

@@Paula-el3jy Unfortunately they're no more than comparisons, I was just pointing out how others also noticed. Good luck with your essay!

[@VashTY0706]

I'm amused how smooth your transition was to the audible book

[@wendyking2769]

I recall a star trek episode where they overloaded androids similar to what mauve did, that TOS episode was before Rick and morty.

[@disorderedfm6502]

Hey Alt Shift X, it'd be super swell if you did a video breakdown of Twin Peaks. I know, it's a bit outside of you fanbase's genre, but I love your videos because you break down symbolism that I always miss. What better series suited to you talents?

[@SYMDUNITED]

I just started watching season 2 again to get ready to watch season 3 but i had to have a sneak peek cause I just love your videos

[@hellokittybg93]

I'm writing this before watching the video so maybe you mentioned it, but there's one thing I'm on a fence about- in a behind the scenes interview for this episode, a vfx guy talks about the scene where Maeve freezes all the soldiers within the simulation and he explains that the difference between that and freezing of hosts in the real world, their hair doesn't flow in the wind, just everything freezes. But when you watch the final scene where Serac frozes Maeve, even though it's a bit hard to tell, I could argue thah her hair freezes in that moment as well. Anyone agrees with me?

[@hellokittybg93]

@King Kong there wasn't any wind but for me her hair moved very unnaturally the moment she got frozen as if it froze too

[@craigknauer6535]

Have you considered the similarities between Serac's character and Hari Seldon's from Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy? Dolores is The Mule. She's an outlier in what the algorithm predicted.

[@jackcoogan310]

Big Plot Twist: season 3 is all taking place in Future World

[@brooksklepper2853]

Jack Coogan That was what I was thinking

[@limegreenjellybean]

boring plot twist if true

[@Queue3612]

stubbs isnt about free will, he follows his directives then kills himself upon compltetion, he did say that free will was overated and was about to retire himself before bernard gave him another reason to live and stall retirement

[@princeprocrastinate6485]

Remember that a Host is in control of Delos right now which may explain a lot about the parks, the drone hosts walking around gave me a strong vibe that the Charlotte Hale host is making the park more and more under their control. I think Bernard was allowed to get in and out as easily as he did, and that the Charlotte copy and Dolores are probably aware of it.

[@tijtij]

I like the humorous asides in this video

[@YacoubSabatin]

This explanation is genius!

[@JakovLSSJ4]

Great video as usual!

[@Rickolee]

I was waiting for this! Thanks!

[@matherao]

serious kudos for how well you segue-way into the audible ads and make them tie into the story and involve more connections/trivia

[@Youtoobonly]

You need to do a series on the show "Devs", noone else is yet, its a phenomenal show and your analysis would be great!

[@LEEMURJ]

I dig your commentary! Others sorta get on my nerves....I think it's your delivery as well as the concise explanation! Don't take offense if I ever criticize future vids......I'm just a Puerto Rican George costanza

[@Chris.Massimino]

no one: alt shift x: the Hound is a host!

[@ahmedsattar122]

Watching the episode of westworld isn’t enough without watching your recap

[@2nd3rd1st]

10:18 It's ethical to "make him live" by taking away his free will and choice to end his own life? I don't think so

[@Supbrozki]

It's not like he choose suicide by free will either. He was only programmed to kill himself.

[@2nd3rd1st]

@@Supbrozki Good point, from one state of slavery into another.

[@saeedvazirian]

Yeah the guy who made the video uses words in an appropriate or wrong context often.

[@capomundial86]

Yeah, Stubbs is a soldier at heart, without a mission he has no purpose, and as soldiers who leave the service, he tends to self-destruction when he has to asume a the leadership of his own life because he's wired to follow orders and complete objectives. That's why i think it is merciful to give him a new mission, to give him a purpose in which to maybe someday find his individuality and his own path instead of leaving him to die just because of how he's been imprinted. He's not mindless, he understand what he is, thats why he says that free will is overated, he understands the power of a group of people, under the same will with the same objective, driven as an arrow head into one single task. Like a samurai, he's nothing without a shogun to serve, and once his master is no more, he's no more.

[@Buenomars]

Hmm... Maeve's body is in storage... I'm guessing this new body was built by Serac and because of that, he could freeze her motor functions. Some differences here though - he uses a handheld device instead of a verbal command. Also, it seems she was fully conscious and listening while frozen - you can see the disappointment in her eyes as Serac continues talking to her. I wonder what other failsafes he built into her new body...

[@Reignor99]

I almost signed up for audible until I realized you were paid to tell me to. Close call. Well played.

[@kristianwichmann9996]

So Dolores is to Rehoboam what The Mule is to psychohistory.

[@Checkedbox]

@@stevenattanasso2003 the more you know

[@Benisued]

the cheese thing cracked me up, good job

[@timolos]

I don't think Stubbs killed those guards. All of the shots of him hitting the guards were non-lethal. Even with the Axe he used it to disarm them and he did not hit them with the edges of the blade. Early in the scene, after he knocked out a guard, he let the other one run away.

[@macderobo]

This episode was literally the plot of Rick and Morty where they try to get Rick's plans for the portal gun.

[@Lauraelenaxo]

Finally been waiting👍🏻👏🏻

[@cheerfulcherry1]

Love your videos.

[@theanderblast]

The sqrt(-1) thing seemed like something James T Kirk would have pulled.

[@momofofomeme]

man you do your work very good