Westworld (TV Series) Trompe L'Oeil (2016) User Reviews

"And in that Sleep, what Dreams may come"

[Krish728 · 10/10 · 13 November 2016]

OK!! That episode was literally MIND-BLOWING!!

This episode is by far the Best episode of Westworld. And from what I hear, the final three episodes of this season are going to be even better.

The plot twist in the final moments of the episode was theorized by fans, but to see it play out the way it did is just mind-blowing.

I love the way the show is building up to something VERY BIG, and I can't wait to find out what it is.

Right from the episode 1, the screenplay, the editing and everything about the show was done very masterfully to keep us guessing 'What The Hell is going on?' Typical NOLAN thing, I'd say.

Thank You.

"What door?" - *NO F***ING WAY!* 10/10!

[notsebastianmai · 10/10 · 14 November 2016]

Although Westworld have been one of the, if not the best, shows i've ever seen this episode was one to behold. Apart from the big plot there are the subtle things hidden within the whole story that send shivers through your spine if you have a little bit of knowledge about artificial intelligence (for example that Dolores sort of started creative drawing) that have so much depth of thought built into it. The series started amazing and has just gotten better with each episode, I'm almost fearful of how it will end - because I have a feeling that it's going to be quiet dramatic and though provoking, even more than everything that was already touched upon to this point.

Will be regarded as a classic for decades to come, it touches upon things that'll keep society busy in the next 10-20 years and some might look back at this show and muse how intelligent, thoughtful and still very casual it handled all this topics.

10/10

The Best Episode

[claudio_carvalho · 10/10 · 21 January 2018]

Bernard unsuccessfully tries to contact Elsie. Then, Ford, Bernard and other employees have a meeting with Theresa Cullen and the executive Charlotte Hale. They explain that Clementine is a treat to the guests caused by Ford´s update and Bernard is immediately fired. Charlotte plots a scheme to force Dr. Ford to leave Westworld. However the Machiavellian Dr. Ford discloses a lethal secret to Theresa. Meanwhile Dolores, William and El Lazo cross by train the dangerous Ghost Nation territory. They are ambushed by the Confederate soldiers but El Lazo manages to escape with Dolores and William. Maeve decides to leave Westworld.

"Trompe L'Oeil" is so far the best episode of "Westworld" with a storyline with more revelations. The fate of Bernard, Theresa and Dr. Ford has many twists and surprising conclusion. What Maeve will do is still an intriguing question and the impossible romance of Dolores and William is engaging. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Trompe L'Oeil"

For anyone wondering what it's all about, this is "it"

[big_brother_1984 · 14 November 2016]

The idea of the Westworld series sounds childishly simple - turn the plot of the movie around, add a big budget with some action, drama and mystery.

But the story of emotional robots and homicidal humans hits the mark dead center, though outside TV's usual target range. For me this isn't just about the plot, i.e. Who's a mole or who's behind it all. This isn't Game of Thrones, wondering who will survive or not. For all I care they could be playing dominoes most of the time and I'd still be hooked.

This is about what you'd do in a "life without limits", without pretending, and how to be truly alive. And Westworld makes you wonder in such a casual way, and nothing feels pompous or cheesy. I can even watch the love scenes without flinching, because the characters are believable and their behavior understandable. Quote of the ep: "What door?".

So into 2/3rd of the series my verdict is 10/10: However the plot develops, it's simply impossible to screw this up because Westworld has already delivered something that can't be taken away.

It is one thing to be clever and another to be wise

[Harun_Karali · 10/10 · 14 November 2016]

Hands down the best episode this season, as we get a glimpse of the bigger picture and although that might have provided some answers, I think it raised many more questions. The biggest ones being: Who else is a host? Did Arnold make Ford or vise versa? The company is piloting to take over Westworld and dethrone Robert Ford. As his state of mind is being put into question. Theresa leading the charge, as she is promised to take Ford's place. She put's together a ruse that the hosts are malfunctioning. However Bernard sees right through it and leads her to the cabin where we met Fords parents. Jeffrey Wright and Hopkins transactions were immaculate. I cannot imagine this show without Hopkins he is the gears of this clock, the strings of these puppets.

Maeve(beautifully portrayed by Thandie Newton) insists on seeing Clementine. Who is about to be lobotomized. As she witness this appalling sight. Her fight or flight instincts kick in and she decides she's either going to escape, or die trying.

Now THAT's the way to go!

[rkaliz · 9/10 · 15 November 2016]

After a rather disappointing episode 6, this one delivers through and through. There is a multitude of topics touched on, the centerpiece being the continuing and deepening perception of the hosts as real beings by the guests – a simple enough topic, to which one can relate to easily even today, but played out excellently in the episode through Dolores and William.

The revelation regarding Bernard is a true "aw yeah!" moment – a moment that begins to slightly lift the fog around the thus far enigmatic Dr. Robert Ford; who has been portrayed as a borderline sentimental old man until now but apparently hides a much darker side.

There are also glimpses at what the Westworld park is truly all about for its owners – a troubling episode if you draw analogies to present reality.

The only reason the 10th star evades this episode is the continuing stupidity of the Maeve / Tech guys exchange which now culminates into a threat relationship between an animated construct and two people who can not only report this but also, as we saw, control her intelligence, perception, strength and other aspect, effectively putting them in a position to render her harmless.

Smart Move HBO

[GusherPop · 10/10 · 16 March 2022]

"The longer I work here, the more I think I understand the hosts. It's human beings who confuse me." These are the words of Bernard Lowe moments before a shocking revelation. Perhaps the shocking revelation of the whole first season. And to be honest, I was nodding in agreement when he uttered these words, because the robots are much more human and sympathetic than their flesh-and-blood counterparts. I'd even go so far as to say the only truly likable human amongst the whole downstairs cast was Bernard... so we really should have seen this coming, right? It's a grim moment when Bernard leads Theresa into the House of Ford. I'm sure many were already suspicious of his choice to do so after she blatantly threw him under the bus, engineering an obviously phony scenario that led to his termination from the park. Despite her fear about him not being able to stay professional after their breakup, it was her choice to scapegoat him in order to save her own career, which likely wasn't winning her any audience favors. That was also smart misdirection for us, so we'd be less suspicious of Bernard's bizarre insistence that he show her a glimpse into Ford's madness while not bringing a single security guard. First of all, he rambles on about the unlikely theory that all of human achievement is accomplished as a kind of mating dance. But as Ford himself is an old man holding onto his power and continuing to build with no intended mate in sight, this is again misdirection for the viewer. The more intriguing aspects of his speech are that he repeats Charlotte Hale's words to Theresa from earlier in the episode: the gods need a "blood sacrifice." Dolores is showing genuine signs of self-awareness. She seems to be really into William for more reasons than her programming. And William confessing he is getting married and then admitting that Westworld is more real and freeing than the constraints and pressures of living in corporate politics is perhaps too much information for a vactioner to be spilling. He might love Dolores... and maybe even she loves him (however unlikely that might be). But that he is starting to talk to her, and wax poetic of this place, like it's somewhere he'll never have to leave? Well, this isn't going to end well.

Smart Maeve

[tenshi_ippikiookami · 8/10 · 9 December 2016]

Now, the show has been teasing us with the 'who is a human and who is not?' since the very beginning. We know they 'hosts' have improvisation, and that they can learn ticks, mannerisms and react to adapt to how the story-lines change.

However, just wondering who is human and who is not would make for just a guess show, so "Westworld" has to offer more. And this episode "Trompe L'Oiel" does exactly that: it evolves the story in an interesting manner and clearly seems to pit Delos vs Ford for some kind of showdown. Since the very beginning we have seen that Hopkins's Ford seems to be his own boss and this episode just helps develop his arc in a very interesting way. We also get a little bit more of Dolores and William, and an improved Maeve, but instead of being in the park, we expend more time out, with the 'real' 'people'.

And the episode is a very strong one because of it, because of the different threads between its two worlds that are seamlessly interwoven. It helps that the acting is really good, as for example with the 'hosts' jumping from 'human' to 'non-human'. We will keep at the edge of our seats, just waiting for the next moment. Yes, we may have a couple of interesting (and more or less expected) twists, but it is the pace, direction and acting that give life to the park.

On the other hand, the show keeps shooting itself in its own foot when it comes to the park and the level of violence humans may suffer from while they are in it. The rules don't seem to be too clear, and it just makes all a little bit of a mess every time we jump into Dolores and William's story- line.

Oh, and Thandie Newton gets the chance to keep shining as Maeve.

IT DOSENT LOOK LIKE ANYTHING TO ME

[akintoyeodeku · 10/10 · 8 May 2021]

This episode was just unbelievable, at every point in any series there is that one episode that takes it too the next level. Some come later than others and this one appeared at the right time.

Episodes like the wolf and the lion from game of thrones showed you that the series just got serious

The sleep of babies from sons of anarchy exemplified that no one is safe.

The cost from the wire was another prime example of taking a series to the next level

And then you get some that come later in the seasons such as chicanery from better call Saul

This episode deserves the rating it's got and can only go higher from here.

Such a good episode.

[jordenflement-69832 · 10/10 · 6 April 2021]

This episode was so good. The acting was great, the dialogue was perfect. Everything felt so natural! The big plot twist of Bernard was so unexpected, I was shocked. Didn't see that coming!

Overall, this series has been very good. Never had a complain, but one thing: How does everything work? If they answer this question in the next episode(s), it will be one of my favorite shows.

Westworld: Trampe L'Oeil

[WubsTheFadger · 10/10 · 5 January 2018]

Short and Simple Review by WubsTheFadger

This episode is absolutely stunning. The acting is subline. Anthony Hopkins, Jeffery Wright, Jimmi Simpson, and Thandie Newton all give great performances.

The story takes a stunning turn that changes things drastically. There is also a very said character death.

This film has perfect pacing and for the first time, we get to see Thandie Newton fully nude which is a plus.

Pros: Great acting, stunning twist, perfect pacing, emotional character death and full frontal nudity by Thandie Newton

Cons: I did not see anything wrong with this episode.

Overall Rating: 9.8/10 (It would be criminal to give this episode a nine, so I gave it a ten. For me, if something is a 9.5 or above it is a ten)

Dreaming of the Opposite

[ThomasDrufke · 9/10 · 14 November 2016]

I knew this show was going to be worth it. After a few weeks of a plot meandering around inevitable reveals, these last two episodes of Westworld have been nothing short of magnificent.

Although she isn't the top billed actress, Thandie Newton deserves a ton of credit for her subtle acting the past few weeks. It's hard enough to do the mannequin challenge anytime one of the humans comes around and freezes her, but Newton has gotten to do plenty more in the past few weeks. Maeve has had a troubled season as a host, and seeing her closest relationship with Clementine seemingly be wiped away by a lobotomy may be the last straw. So much is said through Maeve's reaction in her eyes and subtle facial expressions.

The troubled story of Clementine is just one of several in Westworld. If The Man in Black theory is legit, and William is a younger version of that character, then it makes every scene with Dolores feel worthless and depressing. It was definitely satisfying seeing her and William finally connect romantically, but what is it all for if we know William will still be trotting around the park 30 years from now? Of course, this is assuming the theory is correct.

Another supposedly common theory, that I hadn't heard before, was proved tonight as Bernard was outed as a host by Theresa. Unfortunately, it was all but too late as Ford forced Bernard to kill the woman who we all thought he loved. I guess I should have seen this coming. We saw flashbacks involving Bernard and his son on his deathbed, which draw close to some of Dolores' visions of her and her father, and we know she's obviously a host. Even though I saw on Twitter that there was a "twist" at the end of this episode (as I was watching Walking Dead), I did not think Bernard would be involved. But this also brings up the question of Elsie's whereabouts and her reaction to the Bernard reveal, or should we somehow expect her to be one as well?

+Twist

+Paced well

+With 3 episodes left, things are set up very nicely

+Thandie Newton continues to bring it

9.3/10

It's Going South

[nishantsalhotrans · 5/10 · 14 November 2016]

I can totally understand why some people think this was an amazing episode. I mean the twist was amazing. Bernard is an android. The most famous fan theory came true.

From the beginning of this series, I have been waiting for some explanations. Some of them are purely suspense of the story, which makes it interesting to wait and anticipate. But there is a basic foundation on which such a different story depends on. I mean for example what is going on with Dolores. When William stepped into the park and met Dolores for the first time, she died once and came back and has been gone on an adventure with him ever since. Meanwhile, Maeve has died a hundred times and starts over from the exact same place in the story-line of the town. So tell me something, how the hell does her death reset the whole town. It's not her personal story-line, it's the whole town's story-line. It's not that it's a virtual world with multiple universes. Neither is the loop set on a daily basis, because this isn't such a basic park where every day the same thing happens. And all this is happening for a single trip of the real people like William.

This basic foundation is either not being explained or is definitely buggy, which bugs me and takes the fun out of all the interesting plot twists and fascinating story-line(both, of the show and the park). Only if they explain how the park works as far as real-life time is concerned will this show deserve a rating it's getting and yes it will definitely deserve it in that case.

Mind blowing

[TheDonaldofDoom · 14 November 2016]

Westworld just keeps getting better and better. Here, it delivers unexpected twists, deeper mysteries and excellent setpieces.

For all the philosophy and park management shenanigans, it's a lot of fun to just be in Westworld. William and Dolores get some great development, with William confused about who he really is - and revealing he has a marriage waiting for him back at home. Dolores, meanwhile, is sure as ever that she wants to break free, but one truly interesting thing about her that her 'imagined' drawing is actually a real place in Westworld, that has been planted in her mind. And yet, that doesn't take away the emotion that was in her drawing. Can it really be said that just because the idea was implanted, the emotions weren't real?

But the real fun is in the setpieces. Ghost Nation's eerieness is well set up as the train veers into its territory, and the Confederado attack and ensuing battle is the best action sequence yet. Then there's another shocking twist when Ghost Nation make their entry, completely scuppering the Confederado's revenge on Slim, William and Dolores.

Maeve has some powerful moments. You can see how affected she is by how Clementine is treated as an object. The great thing about the way Thandie Newton plays her is that there is no melodrama, no over-the-top reaction. She plays her expressions so well no melodrama is needed to show how much of an impact Clementine's treatment has on Maeve. Of course, what happens with Clementine is pretty big in itself... she remembers past memories and acts on them. Her slamming the face of a host she believes to be human repeatedly into the wall foreshadows an inevitable revolt.

The biggest moment of an episode already filled with big moments is right at the end. It's a surprising twist I didn't see coming, yet on a second watch there were so many signs of Bernard's true nature. The penny first drops when just after saying hosts are programmed to not notice particular things, Bernard doesn't notice the door. And to see it end like this for Theresa is tragic, showing Ford's villainous side. He doesn't have Theresa killed out if malice; he sees right and wrong as being more complicated. One person being killed is necessary because they got in the way of his grand plan. And when he uses the words 'blood sacrifice', we are reminded yet again just how much he knows about everything and everyone in the park HQ. Given his utter control, it was obvious that his plans wouldn't be scuppered.

Bernard's reveal has big implications for what's been going on. It would explain why he has done suspicious things despite also seeming to not know who's tampering with the hosts. It would also explain how Elsie was dealt with: he likely reported their phone conversation directly to Ford.

Incredible episode overall. The characters are outstanding and although some elements are downright predictable (William falling in love with a robot) other things were hard to see coming. Plus, William and Dolores's romance has far more complex implications for the rest of the series than you'd expect...

what reality really exists...

[thomasroever-74263 · 10/10 · 16 November 2016]

the very best TV show i have seen for 20 years now. so fragile the characters, so powerful the plot , so much to dream for the viewers. Mrs newton and Mrs wood gave an outstanding performance. so many philosophical aspects, which were created by the authors. the coexistence of people and the robot seems to work well in the series. but while the story arc developed in the series and the robot gets partly awareness of their situation, take to the tension between man and machine. so what the robots think ultimately of their creator? humanity evolved through evolution and error, and so how can the highest level of development of the robots look? and can the robot so make a moral decision for their existence?

Awesome episode!:)

[superdan04 · 9/10 · 14 November 2016]

So.. you've already said everything there is to say!

But I have some thoughts though! Teresa is dead (we assume).. might the host being made in the machine be her as a host, so the board doesn't start questioning her suddenly retire from her position?

Second thought : Is ford even alive!? My idea until this episode was, Ford might have killed Arnold from ruin the park. But what if it's the other way around? Arnold kills ford for same reason , makes him as a host, also make other host to be 'controlling' the security and some high positions in the park, while Arnold himself have some cottage in the 'maze' where he controls everything!?

Dolores story line is boring right now, no need to discuss her or the love affair with that boring dude.

While most of the plot follows the trajectory you expect, then comes a truly shocking moment.

[Amari-Sali · 8/10 · 14 November 2016]

Review (with Spoilers)

Perhaps for the first time since this show started, I was honestly shocked by something. There was a moment, naturally toward the end, when you realized that a lot of things aren't what they seem and while it doesn't change my overall view of the show, it does make me question things. But I try to keep the spoilers nill above the fold so continue on below to know what happens in "Trompe L'Oeil."Read more…

Main Plot (with Commentary)

Dolores

After a week off from Dolores, I must admit her return didn't leave me feeling she was missed. Her love affair with William seems so dull and even as they approach what is called "unclaimed territory" I must admit a serious lack of interest. For even if this story merges with Teddy's and the Man in Black, unless the maze hype is really worth it, I fear the bunch of them will be the blemish of this show.

Maeve

With her stats changed you'd think Maeve would have been quite different when she returned to the old west but no. She still heads to the saloon and keeps up appearances, noticing now when she is speaking predictable lines programmed into her. But despite this upgrade, which includes decreased loyalty, upon Clementine being taken she has herself harmed to follow. Leading her to see perhaps one of the few consistent people in her life getting lobotomized. With that, she decides she is done with the old west and like Ava in Ex-Machina, she wants to go top side and be free.

Bernard & Ford

With Elsie missing Bernard is on edge, but that isn't even the biggest thing to worry about. Teresa and Charlotte hold a meeting showing the potential for violence the hosts have, using Clementine. It seems the rollback was a failure and now upon seeing the same being, especially an abusive one, they will react. In this case, Clementine bashes a man's head in.

But it isn't 100% clear whether Teresa staged the incident or it was due to the upgrade. What is known though is that while you could have assumed the eventual war would be between the humans and hosts, it may actually be Ford vs. any who would dare attempt to usurp him. For, you see, Teresa transmitting the data off site was for the sole purpose of creating a contingency plan. Ford doesn't like the data leaving Westworld and has thus far forbidden it. However, with his erratic behavior, the board would like for him to retire peacefully if possible and if he doesn't, they don't want him destroying everything. Of which, the hosts and story lines aren't what matter, but the research. As for whether it is the process of making the hosts or maybe whatever is within the maze, it is slightly hard to say.

What is clarified though is that we may have to look at both the humans and hosts a bit more closely. For with the reveal of Bernard being a host, there are many questions. The first being how many hosts are there that Ford has masqueraded as staff, and then if these hosts replaced real human beings? For Ford is working on a new host model and has had Teresa killed. Could we see her come back and now be under Ford's control? I mean, who is to say the board isn't partly Ford's hosts living in the real world? Lest we forget, Ford is a strange man, maybe a host himself, and while Arnold is spoken of as having Ford as his partner, who knows what their relationship was really like? Heck, considering the park is all Ford has, what can he even be threatened with? Especially with every host, conscious or not, at his beck and call with only the whispers of Arnold to fight against him.

Highlights

Excellent Twist

Though I watch this show every week, I do feel like I rarely speak of it as something to maintain loyalty to. Yet, as said in the first episode, it is more so the acting and actors keeping me going than anything else. But what is an actor without a good script? For with the reveal of Bernard being a host comes a bit of a shock to my system though with the amount of control Ford desires, you'd have to expect he would have his own contingency plans in case the board did try to betray him right? After all, the man may not show his ego, but you can tell he enjoys everything and everyone stopping when he walks into a room as if he is the king.

Though what really shall be of interest is how Teresa's death is handled. For either she will be some blood sacrifice or we may learn that those who get in Ford's way, and are killed, are perhaps revived as hosts. Thus becoming a sick little joke for Ford to remember his conquest.

Criticism

Dolores isn't keeping up

The one bad thing about the Ford twist and Maeve going Ex-Machina is it makes it so you can't settle for Dolores' nor Teddy's story-line anymore. As the show ups the ante, they can't be simple travelers who only are capable of getting your attention when a gun goes off. For that is what it feels like at this point and their human companions don't help. William is still the dullest character around and him having some pseudo-affair with Dolores isn't helping either of them. Then with Teddy, who is absent this episode, the Man in Black maybe mysterious, but he isn't doing or saying anything to keep the intrigue up. At this point, he seems as mad as Ford but with less meaningful interactions to add some depth to his eccentricities.

Twists/Surpises/ and Shockers!!!

[williamwarfielddavis · 10/10 · 8 February 2021]

This episode contains humor, tragedy, and revelations! Charlotte Hale enters episode as member of the board, and the actor does not disappoint as far as more SUPERB ACTING!!!

Great episode

[Mazenabdo · 10/10 · 9 June 2019]

Here Dr. Ford is the real god, but did he really kill Arnold?

It's odd how answering few questions in each episode lead to raise more..

This episode will get you attached to this series more than you expected

Kudos for some great scenes

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 21 December 2022]

Another decent episode, mainly for that closing sequence which ups the game considerably. Before then I have to say that some of the western action, such as the shoot-out with the train, feels a little hollow here; we know it's all artificial spectacle so I don't know why they focus on it so much. It's the stuff taking place back at the laboratory with Anthony Hopkins et al which seems to me to provide the real storyline. But the last scene features a wonderful twist and some impeccable acting, which is all good, while Thandie Newton continues to thoroughly impress with her own storyline. Kudos.

Trompe L'Esprit

[theminorityreporter · 11 March 2020]

When the head of the quality assurance team approaches the door of the board's executive director for a scheduled meeting, she's first confronted with the obvious vocalizations of a sexual encounter. She knocks, the door is opened, and what happens next is absolute BS. The scene is a tediously pretentious stab at femme fatale domination; with a tied-up man in a bed, a 'power play' where the visitor is made uncomfortable when confronted with frank nudity upon arrival for a business meeting, and loads of pointed nonchalance, gluttony, arrogance, cunning, and brutish bossy pseudo-masculinity. It's an attempt to satisfy a certain market segment with the requisite "Racy Sex Scene" while apologetically applying stereotypes presumed to connote power to their naked female character as she performs 'executive' functions, as if this might elevate her status while she's simultaneously being undermined.

The love scene between the ingénue and the younger version of the man in black is set up in the way a passionate and genuine romance would be, but it's basically just a betrayal to all characters involved including his fiancée. That he says his true relationship just feels unreal to him now is the classic lament of the traitor.

The 'love' scene is followed by a scene in which a horse (mounted by a dead body filled with nitro glycerin) is pointlessly blown up to create a fairly weak smoke screen. It would have been more historically accurate to just use a canister-style smokescreen or grenades, and even if they didn't care about the principled treatment of animals (or the deceased) the horse would still be too valuable to sacrifice in this way.

Her Hooker with a Heart of Gold stereotype is consolidated when the brothel madam's favorite prostitute tells a story about how she's working in the brothel to make money to send home to her family because their farm has bad soil and they've fallen on hard times. She says they think she works in a dress shop. She says she plans to get her family out of the desert. She'll be going somewhere cold.

In a scene at headquarters that's 'apologetically' designed to be a criticism of bad coding causing the hosts to recall abuse, the prostitute is suddenly brutally beaten by a man. He heaves heavy blows on her for the camera. On her knees, bleeding and crying, she begs for help from onlookers who observe in another room. Although we're supposed to be distanced from this by the fact that they're robots, there is a factual element to what's being plainly depicted in this show that is aired on HBO as entertainment. As further 'apology', when the scenario is run again, the woman takes revenge by coldly beating the man and bashing his head into the glass partition until he drops to the floor in a bloody heap. The character is now preposterously made to be a cold and violently dangerous victim, 'impressive' with an exacting brutality. Apparently undeserving of assistance and now recast as an unreasoning and obtuse psychopath, she is shot by a security man for failure to relent despite the fact that he's obviously armed. The bad code here is in the depiction itself.

Speaking of preposterous, the brothel madam's threat to kill the repair techs if they don't help her to escape is pointless bravado. She's still just a naked robot who could be overpowered and dismantled, she's still dependent on them to repair her, and she's still made to be successful in her endeavors via contrivances around her 'skills' as a prostitute. Her rationale for why the repair techs have to help her proceeds in a straight line from saying that she used to think they were gods but now "You're just men... and I know men", to an illogical boast about how she's died a million times and is "f-ing great at it", to the threat that she'll kill them if they don't help her. 'Knowing' men the way a prostitute comes to know men is worthless in this situation (and most all situations) as is evident by the fact that she just sits there having no real actionable use for that knowledge, and dying isn't a skill - it's an inevitability. The fact that she's experienced some robot rendition of death numerous times doesn't make her impressive it simply makes her unfortunate, no matter how it's happened. Neither 'knowing' men nor 'dying' frequently confers any lethality to her at any rate - least of all in this situation of naked dependence, having nothing in the world but hollow boasts and threats and a cheap polyvinyl cloak that they've given to her like Greek gods bequeathing a sole garment to an exposed mortal.

When the head of quality assurance is murdered by her trusted coworker/lover (who we now learn is a robot), he dispassionately and brutally bashes her head against a wall. Her body slumps to the floor leaving a smear of blood on the wall reminiscent of the uncharacteristic lipstick smear she made at her vanity in the previous episode. It's a victory for the writers who thought of such a 'clever' twist involving recasting a character in a contradictory and unnatural way. Better still, from this perspective, is the 'clever' way that the drama is heightened by his sudden, mechanistic, and totally contradictory disposition toward her (coupled with her total helplessness). It's supposed to be intriguing and surprising that he turns out to be something even he didn't know he was, and a lethal traitor to her. But by now, nothing is especially intriguing or surprising.

All you have to do is give up all faith in everyone and you may see what it all really is: just an extravagant display intended to attract an audience. It doesn't fly. It's down in the dirt plotting narrative twists into muck, consoling itself with its great beauty.