Based on Michael Crichton’s 1977 movie of the same name, this HBO series is an ambitious scifi TV series created/written by Jonathan Nolan and Lucy Joy. Nolan even directed this first episode.

The series takes place in the fictional theme park of Westworld, a technologically advanced, Western theme park populated completely by synthetic androids dubbed “Hosts”, who cater to high paying visitors dubbed “Newcomers”, who can do what they wish within the park without fear of retaliation from the Hosts.

Naturally things go wrong and this first episode sets up an ominous tone very well. Of course, our familiarity with previous AI stories informs us that the Hosts will gain sentience and rebel. That’s a given. But in the hands of Nolan (who co-wrote The Dark Knight), the first episode is presented in an intriguing fashion with a promise of dark moments to come (the use of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black” in the score is a masterstroke).

A first rate ensemble cast that includes Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, James Marsden, Rodrigo Santoro, Ed Harris and Anthony Hopkins, sets Westworld apart as a top quality scifi drama that demands attention.

… still there’s more …