‘Riddle of the Sphinx’ Plot Summary:
The Man in Black (Ed Harris) and Lawrence (Clifton Collins Jr.) ride to Lawrence’s hometown where they are met by some very unfriendly Confederados lead by Major Craddock (Jonathan Tucker). Bernard (Jeffrey Wright) makes a series of huge discoveries. We flashback to William (Jimmi Simpson), and a conversation he has with James Delos (Peter Mullan).
Literally there’s no way to talk about this episode without discussing the spoilers. So, if you haven’t seen this episode, bookmark this review and come back later…because we’ve got a lot to talk about.
‘Riddle of the Sphinx’ was the episode Westworld has wanted to produce since the opening credits of Season One.
It was an emotional episode rife with big reveals, and plot twists. Sounds familiar, right? Wasn’t this something this writer railed against ad nauseam during Season One? Now it’s all good?
Yes, it is all good. The twists, turns, and reveals in this episode were all character-driven. They weren’t driven by some sort of invisible hand that crowbarred deux machinas into every episode. ‘Riddle of the Sphinx’ was the result of long-term storytelling, and character development. The consequences were devastating, and game-changing.
It’s the episode that this series has tried to create nearly every single week, and let’s hope that this is now the standard they hold their episodes to from now on.
Now let’s talk about those spoilers…
“Hi Dad.”
Did anyone see that one coming? Yes, we’re starting at the end because it was one of the most impactful moments the episode. Grace (Katja Herbers) has been an intriguing addition to the series. She keeps defying expectations. At first it was almost certain she was a host (she proved us wrong in a violent and sexual manner) . Then I thought there was no way she’d survive her tangle with Tony the Tiger. Oh, and then how would she ever escape the clutches of the knife of the Native American warriors? With luck like that it makes that’d she’d be William/The Man in Black’s daughter.
Having her show up as William makes his way to the end of Ford’s game/Valley Beyond, makes perfect sense. His fatherly instincts kicked when he wiped out the Confederados to spare Lawrence’s daughter from watching them execute her parents. Now, with that newfound pang of goodness, it makes sense that this massive monkey wrench is thrown into the works.
Will she be William’s road to salvation? Is she just as corrupted by Westworld as her dad? It’ll be an extremely interesting wrinkle a storyline that had the potential of becoming extremely repetitive.
“Elsie?”
This was truly one of the biggest shocks of the season. We all assumed that Elsie (Shannon Woodward) was killed off by Bernard at Ford’s behest. However, after Clementine (Angela Sarafyan) dragged a near lifeless Bernard to a cave, we find she’s actually been kept alive by Bernard (completely unbeknownst to him).
Woodward is a welcome re-addition to the series. She’s the course correction for the Bernard storyline that’s been desperately needed. His story has been all over the map, with no real direction. With the hyper-focused, tenacious Elsie back in tow, she can literally reign in this storyline and get us (and Bernard) the information that’s missing from this story.
Wright and Woodward also have dynamite chemistry, so I’m looking forward to watching this odd couple wading through the maze of this season.
“It’s About Time”
The best part of this episode, was hands down the James Delos storyline.
First off, Peter Mullan should just be gifted every acting award for his performance in this episode. It was literally one of the most heartbreaking performances I’ve seen in a very long time. His ability to portray Delos as an vigorously proud man’s man who is battling a devastating problem is near tear-inducing. He plays Delos like a man suffering from the onset of a crippling mental and physical disorder. You’re literally watching a titan of industry, a monolithic man crumble right before your eyes.
Then, the reveal. It literally breaks you as a viewer, as it does Delos. When you realize that he’s the first experiment of The Delos Corporation — of creating a version of eternal life — it just hits you in the gut. Ed Harris’ insertion into the storyline (taking over for the always brilliant Jimmi Simpson), was just another gut punch. His lines about both he and Delos not deserving eternal life could only be delivered by rich, weathered leathered voice of Ed Harris.
Samurais Are Coming
Finally. Yes. See you next week.
If you’ve been frustrated by Season 2 of Westworld, I highly encourage you to watch ‘Riddle of the Sphinx.’ It’s the emotional payoff we’ve been waiting for since Season 1, and it imbues me with hope that this will be the standard bearer for the rest of the season.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
