Strange new frontiers: Sentient hosts stake their claim over ‘Westworld’
By K.A. Taylor TV MediaThe concept of androids has permeated social consciousness since the 1800s, but it wasn’t until 1984’s sci-fi hit “The Terminator” graced the screen that people genuinely feared the prospect of “the singularity,” and a world where humans would become ruled by machines.
While most films and novels have suggested that the robot rebellion will be brought in with a bang, “Westworld” proved that a whimper was equally, if not more, effective. This soft realization leads to some formidable action, however, with the hosts ready to venture out and discover the many layers of the park when season 2 begins Sunday, April 22, on HBO.
The premise of “Westworld” is somewhat familiar, due to the popularity of the android sentience trope in science fiction. The series origins stem from the 1973 Michael Crichton film of the same name, upon which it is loosely based.
Season 1 introduced viewers to Westworld, a theme park in the nottoo-distant future that allows society’s wealthiest to indulge in the ultimate immersive experience. Though other locations are alluded to, the
bulk of the show’s first season takes place in Sweetwater, a frontier town complete with saloons, gunslingers and an eerily recognizable piano score. Given the choice of black or white hat, humans can either experience a kinder, gentler version of the Wild West, or delve deeper into a gritty world of vengeance and violence, allowing themselves to express all manner of taboo, morally questionable acts.
This experience is only a success due to the plethora of android hosts that populate the parks. The freshman season introduced us to the saloon’s madam, Maeve Millay (Thandie Newton, “ER”), whose recurring dreams about a daughter from a past storyline (pre-madam) gradually led to her becoming self-aware. Teddy Flood (James Marsden, “X-Men,” 2000) isn’t quite that cognizant, with the heroic gunslinger propelled more by love than self-realization to assist another host on her quest. That host is the enigmatic Dolores Abernathy (Evan Rachel Wood, “True Blood”). No host still operating has endured the life Dolores has, seen what she’s seen, or would be a more likely candidate for becoming fully sentient.
In fact, the rebellion so impeccably orchestrated in promotional material for season 2 of “Westworld” seems
largely to fall within the hands of Dolores and Maeve, both of whom are now ready to help their kind rise above and usurp the technological throne from their creators. Although season 1 gave us the first step in this direction, season 2 promises even bolder and more confident hosts, no longer willing to play nice and be trampled upon by the guiltless whims of humanity. Each of the main androids is forging his or her own path along the outskirts of the frontier, venturing into the park’s other “worlds” in search of greater freedom and a deeper truth.
As season 1 established, leaving the park entirely won’t be easy. It will, in fact, require the help of humans. Dolores and the hosts must therefore decide: stake their claim over the park itself, or find a way to move beyond its borders, to map out a life for all of their kind in a brave new world.
Although “Westworld” isn’t the first big series about androids to captivate audiences around the globe, no other series has managed — so far — to explore the prospect of the singularity in such a thoughtful and layered way. In drawing out the selfawareness of Dolores and her fellow hosts, series creators Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan were able to humanize these androids, giving them a
softer voice. Viewers understand and support their motivations, because they’re able to see themselves in the struggles and hardships endured by the hosts at the hands of their own decadent, careless species.
Newton opened up about this in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight. When presented with the script for season 2, Newton admits that she was “completely shellshocked” by the direction in which Joy and Nolan were taking the series. “It was absolutely not what I thought was going to happen,” she said.
Newton was quite tight-lipped regarding what would or would not be occurring during the second season, whether on the macro level regarding the entire world of the series, or at a micro level when discussing her character Maeve and her own motivations: “As far as I know — because I really don’t know — as far as Maeve knows, she has a degree of command over what she’s doing.”
She admits that, whether being instructed to or otherwise, holding back information is essential to the viewer experience, though, because “it’s delayed gratification” that allows us to “enjoy discovering” what will happen next with the series.
If the first season of “Westworld” left audiences with one primary lesson, it’s this: truth is entirely abstract. Hosts we believed to be self-motivated were long manipulated, those we thought to be human only acting so. A creator’s relationship with his own creation is often multifaceted and seldom one-dimensional. Everything that Dolores, Maeve and the other self-aware hosts believe they know about humanity will be tested as they try to forge their own paths in what may simply be yet another maze they’re being coaxed to run by their master’s hand.
Discover the new worlds that await the beloved hosts of “Westworld” when season 2 premieres Sunday, April 22, on HBO.
Thandie Newton as seen in “Westworld”
Conan
The 2020 Census is asking a new question that many say is invasive and inappropriate. The question is: “Are you Gryffindor or Hufflepuff?”
A new report says that President Trump has been hiring people for his administration based on how they perform on television. So congratulations to our new secretary of housing and urban development, Mr. Andy Richter.
The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon
Engineers have created a futuristic jetpack that lets you fly up to 10,000 feet in the air. It even has a cool name: It’s called, “YOU Try It First.”
I read about a man in Ohio who just ended his streak of eating Chipotle for 500 straight days. When asked why he decided to stop, his family said, “Oh, he died.”
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Beyoncé’s biter remains at large, and it’s extremely important to me we figure this out, because America needs to know: what does Beyoncé taste like?
Last week, Trump called Putin to congratulate him on winning a shady election in which he was the only real candidate, despite the fact that his advisers gave him notes in all capital letters stating “DO NOT CONGRATULATE.” Come on guys, if you want him to read a note, put it on something he pays attention to, like a cheeseburger, or Ivanka.
The Late Late Show With James Corden
We all know Trump’s type is: whoever he’s not married to at the time.
A sculpture depicting President Trump completely naked from head to toe is set to go up for auction in May. I’d like to start the bidding at no dollars. Nothing. I’ll actually pay you to take it away.
Late Night With Seth Meyers
According to reports, adult film star Stormy Daniels took a polygraph test in 2011 about her relationship with President Trump, and the examiner found there was a more than 99 percent probability she told the truth about their affair. And we know Trump is lying, because we can hear him.
Former FBI director James Comey’s memoir has already topped Amazon’s list of bestsellers, almost a month ahead of its release due to pre-orders. Or, you can find it in your local bookstore, blocking Hillary Clinton’s book.
Sunday, April 22
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Tuesday, April 24
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1
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Sports this week
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Thursday, April 26
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1 United Leasing and Finance
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Friday, April 27
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ESPN2 Get Up! (3:00)
FSN MLB Baseball Min. at N.Y. Y. From Yankee Stadium-- Bronx, N.Y. (2:00)
10:00 a.m. GOLF Web.com Golf Round 2 United Leasing and Finance Championship. From Victoria National Golf Club-- Newburgh, Ind. (Live) (3:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods (0:30)
11:30 a.m. FSN Midwest Outdoors (0:30)
Noon (9) KAWE Sit and Be Fit (0:30)
ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
12:30 p.m. FSN In-Depth Outdoors (0:30)
Auto | Home | Business | Farm
Multi-Policy Discounts
4:30 p.m. FSN Backroads With Ron and Raven (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN NFL Draft Countdown (Live) (1:00)
ESPN2 Around the Horn (0:30)
FSN Destination Polaris (0:30)
NBCSN NHL Live! (Live) (1:00)
5:30 p.m. ESPN2 Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
FSN Sled Head 24/7 (0:30)
GOLF LPGA Golf Round 2 Mediheal Championship. From Lake Merced Golf Club-- San Francisco, Calif. (Live) (2:30)
6:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR ESPN NFL Draft (Live) (1:00)
ESPN2 NBA Countdown (Live) (1:00)
FSN Three Wide Life (0:30)
NBCSN NHL Hockey Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Live) (2:30)
NBCSN NHL Overtime (Live) (0:30)
11:30 p.m. GOLF EPGA Golf Round 3 China Open. From Topwin Golf & Country Club-- Beijing, China (Live) (4:30)
NBCSN NHL Top 10 (0:30)
Saturday, April 28
9:00 a.m. CNBC EPL Soccer Evert. at HUD From Kirklees Stadium-Huddersfield, England (Live) (2:00)
ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods (0:30)
GOLF Morning Drive (Live) (2:00)
9:30 a.m. ESPN2 Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL (0:30)
FSN Midwest Outdoors (0:30)
10:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL (0:30)
10:30 a.m. ESPN2 Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL (0:30)
FSN Lindner’s Angling Edge (0:30)
11:00 a.m. (5) KSTP ESPN NFL Draft (Live) (7:00)
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NBCSN Curling Quarter-final World Mixed Doubles Championship. Ostersund, Sweden (Live) (2:00)
1:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN MLB Baseball Min. at N.Y. Y. From Yankee Stadium-- Bronx, N.Y. (2:00)
GOLF Golf Central Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
1:30 p.m. GOLF PGA Golf Round 2 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. From TPC Louisiana-- Avondale, La. (Live) (4:00)
2:00 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Jalen & Jacoby (0:30)
2:30 p.m. ESPN2 SportsNation (0:30)
NBCSN Cycling Tour of Croatia. (1:00)
3:00 p.m. ESPN2 Intentional Talk (Live) (1:00)
FSN Fish Addictions TV (0:30)
3:30 p.m. FSN Lindner’s Angling Edge (0:30)
NBCSN Triathlon Ironman Cape Epic. (0:30)
4:00 p.m. ESPN College GameDay (Live) (1:00)
FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
NBCSN Track & Field Penn Relays. From Franklin Field-- Philadelphia, Pa. (Live) (1:00)
6:30 p.m. FSN Twins Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
7:00 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Playoffs. (Live) (2:30)
ESPN2 NFL Draft From AT&T Stadium-Arlington, Texas (Live) (3:30)
FSN MLB Baseball Cin. at Min. From Target Field-- Minneapolis, Minn. (Live) (3:00)
8:00 p.m. GOLF Golf Central (0:30)
8:30 p.m. GOLF PGA Golf Round 2 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. From TPC Louisiana-- Avondale, La. (3:00)
NBCSN NHL Hockey Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Live) (2:30)
9:30 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Playoffs. (Live) (2:30)
10:00 p.m. FSN Twins Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
TBS ELeague (1:00)
10:15 p.m. (9) KMSP Fox 9 Sports Now (0:20)
10:30 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:30)
FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
10:35 p.m. (15) KVRR KVRR Sports Extra (0:30)
11:00 p.m. FSN WPT Poker King of the Club. (1:00)
NBCSN Track & Field Drake Relays. From Drake Stadium-- Des Moines, Iowa (Live) (2:00)
2:30 p.m. (9) KAWE Prairie Sportsman (0:30)
LIFE NWSL Soccer NCC vs. Hou. (Live) (2:30)
3:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Softball Women’s Ore. at Wash. From Husky Softball Stadium-- Seattle, Wash. (Live) (2:00)
4:00 p.m. FSN Twins Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
NBCSN RFU Rugby English Premiership. Bath vs. Glo. (2:00)
4:30 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR AMA Supercross Monster Energy. From RiceEccles Stadium-- Salt Lake City, Utah (Live) (3:00)
FSN UEFA Soccer Semifinal Leg 1 Champions League. (2:00)
5:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
GOLF LPGA Golf Round 3 Mediheal Championship. From Lake Merced Golf Club-- San Francisco, Calif. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 NCAA Softball Women’s LSU at Fla. From Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium-- Gainesville, Fla. (Live) (2:00)
FSN Destination Polaris (0:30)
GOLF Golf Central Pre-game (Live) (1:00)
NBCSN Premier League Live (Live) (0:30)
HBO Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel (1:00)
11:30 a.m. (11) KARE EPL Soccer Chels. vs. Swan. Swansea, Wales (Live) (2:00)
FSN American Heroes Outdoors (0:30)
NBCSN Track & Field Penn Relays. From Franklin Field-- Philadelphia, Pa. (Live) (2:30)
Noon (9) KMSP (15) KVRR NASCAR Auto Racing Monster Energy Cup Series Qualifying Geico 500. From Talladega Superspeedway-- Talladega, Ala. (Live) (1:30)
FSN Jason Mitchell Outdoors (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Round 3 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. From TPC Louisiana-Avondale, La. (Live) (1:45)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Softball Women’s Tex. at Okl. From OU Softball Complex-- Norman, Okla. (Live) (2:00)
FSN MLB Baseball Cin. at Min. From Target Field-- Minneapolis, Minn. (Live) (3:00)
1:30 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR NASCAR Pre-Race (Live) (0:30)
(11) KARE Premier League Goal Zone (Live) (0:30)
1:45 p.m. GOLF Golf Central Pre-game (Live) (0:15)
2:00 p.m. (7) KCCO PGA Golf Round 3 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. From TPC Louisiana-- Avondale, La. (Live) (3:00)
(9) KMSP (15) KVRR NASCAR Auto Racing Xfinity Series Sparks Energy 300. From Talladega Superspeedway-Talladega, Ala. (Live) (2:30)
(11) KARE NHL Hockey Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Live) (3:00)
GOLF Web.com Golf Round 3 United Leasing and Finance Championship.
From Victoria National Golf Club-Newburgh, Ind. (Live) (3:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN Boxing Isaac Dogboe vs. Jessie Magdaleno Top Rank. From Liacouras Center-- Philadelphia, Pa. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 eSports (Live) (1:30)
NBCSN Curling Gold Medal World Mixed Doubles Championship. Ostersund, Sweden (2:00)
7:00 p.m. (11) KARE NHL Hockey Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Live) (3:00)
FSN MLS Soccer Hou at MIN From TCF Bank Stadium-- Minneapolis, Minn. (Live) (2:00)
TNT NBA Basketball Playoffs. (Live) (2:30)
7:30 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR Boxing Josesito Lopez vs. Miguel Cruz Premier Champions. (Live) (2:00)
8:00 p.m. Mixed Martial Arts Card TBA Bellator 198. (Live) (3:15)
GOLF Golf Central (1:00)
9:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Round 3 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. From TPC Louisiana-Avondale, La. (2:30)
HBO Boxing Daniel Jacobs vs. Maciej Sulecki HBO After Dark. From Barclays Center-- Brooklyn, N.Y. (Live) (2:15)
9:30 p.m. ESPN2 Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL (0:30)
10:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 E:60 Pictures (1:00)
10:30 p.m. FSN Destination Polaris (0:30)
TNT NBA Basketball Playoffs. (2:30)
11:00 p.m. (23) WUCW Ring of Honor Wrestling (1:00)
ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 Boxing Isaac Dogboe vs. Jessie Magdaleno Top Rank. From Liacouras Center-- Philadelphia, Pa. (2:00)
FSN WPT Poker King of the Club. (1:00)
11:15 p.m. HBO 24/ 7 (0:15)
11:30 p.m. GOLF EPGA Golf Final Round China Open. From Topwin Golf & Country Club-- Beijing, China (Live) (4:30)
HBO Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel (1:00)
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN: Sports Apr 22, 2018 to Apr 28, 2018
Secrets revealed: ‘Food: Fact or Fiction?’ hunts for culinary truths
By Andrew Warren TV MediaWhoknew that the foods that we eat could hold so many secrets? For two seasons now, “Food: Fact or Fiction?” has peeled back the curtain and examined many of the myths, mysteries and idioms that surround our foods, and with the third season in full swing, the Cooking Channel series isn’t showing any signs of running out of tasty facts
tempura and explores why it’s tied to the Easter holiday in some cultures. Later, he grabs a fried egg sandwich and learns just how the dish spawned a revolution in breakfast. Plus, he tries to figure out what exactly hushpuppies are so hush-hush about anyway.
Earlier this season, the host brought in actor Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”) to take apart the culinary traditions that are part of any authentic Italian wedding, found out what makes hum-
In next week’s new episode, airing Sunday, April 29, viewers might need a map as McKean goes cross-country to check out the stories behind some iconic regional dishes. In Boston, he’ll expose the half-baked lie behind the Boston cream pie. Then, he’s off to Cincinnati for the best Greek chili that he can find, and finally ends the road trip in Phila-
delphia, where the city’s signature cheesesteak faces a cheesy challenge.
Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Did spicy Pad Thai save an entire nation? Can the shape of a piece of chocolate transform its taste? Whether it’s a fact or a fib, McKean hunts the truth in “Food: Fact or Fiction?,” airing Sundays on Cooking Channel.
1:30 p.m. TRAV Crazy Delicious
2:00 p.m. TRAV Food Paradise
2:30 p.m. (8) WDSE America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated
3:00 p.m. (8) WDSE Martha Stewart’s Cooking School TRAV Food Paradise
4:00 p.m. TRAV Food Paradise
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN: Food Apr 22, 2018 to Apr 28, 2018
Solution on page 10.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure Thomas (O’Brien), Frypan (Darden) and Newt (Brodie-Sangster) embark on one last adventure in the final chapter of the Maze Runner trilogy. With the knowledge that a cure for the horrific Flare virus is being developed, the young heroes travel to the Last City with the goal of liberating the immune children that are being held captive and experimented on. But with the city locked down and no one allowed to enter or leave its protective perimeter, they’ll need a plan if they’re to have any hope.
Director:WesBall.Stars:Dylan O’Brien,ThomasBrodie-Sangster,. 2018.141mins.Action.
Paddington 2
When he spots the perfect gift for his aunt’s 100th birthday in an antique shop’s window, Paddington (Whishaw) begins doing odd jobs around the neighborhood and saving every bit he makes so that he’ll be able to buy the beautiful pop-up book. However, when the book is stolen before he can purchase it, Paddington is accused of committing the theft and is arrested and thrown in jail while his family on the outside begins to suspect that their egotistical neighbor, Phoenix Buchanan (Grant), is the real culprit.
Director:PaulKing.Stars:Ben Whishaw,ImeldaStaunton.2017. 103min.Animation.
Den of Thieves
Corrupt detective “Big Nick” O’Brien (Butler) is hot on the trail of a group of serial robbers planning their biggest heist yet: stealing millions of dollars worth of bills from the Federal Reserve. Led by a veteran named Merrimen (Schreiber), the ruthless criminals have been hunted by Big Nick for a long time, but his own struggles
with his personal life keep getting in the way of his job. With the suspicion that a local bartender is somehow involved in the crime spree, Big Nick will do anything to stop the robberies.
Director:ChristianGudegast.Stars: GerardButler,PabloSchreiber, O’SheaJacksonJr.,50Cent,MeadowWilliams,EvanJones.2018.140 min.Action.