Top 10 Easter Eggs You Missed In Westworld Season 1
For this list, we'll be looking back at season 1, and pointing out any secrets, references or Easter eggs you might have missed. Spoilers ahead.
Written by Alex Slade
#10: Ford and Arnold Were Both Killed in The Same Way as Abraham Lincoln
Westworld sure does have a penchant for theatrics, as do its characters. We don’t think it’s fair to compare former U.S President Abraham Lincoln to Ford, as Ford literally kept robot slaves, but there’s no denying that he, as well as Arnold, died in a similar fashion. All three of them were executed by a gunshot to the back of the head, and the place where Lincoln shot was called Ford’s Theatre. While Bernard and Ford both saw their deaths coming, it still doesn’t detract from the impact of the death or its consequences.
#9: Hiding in Plain Sight
While not connected to the 1973 film, the Westworld TV series loves to make subtle references to the original. In this case, it draws from the clever scene in the Westworld movie; when the film's hero Peter Martin is being pursued by the Gunslinger and pretends to be a damaged host in order to get the drop on his would be killer. The TV series both plays homage to and puts a fun little twist on the moment, by having fleeing hosts Hector and Armistice hide in plain sight, by posting as decommissioned hosts.
#8: Clever Girl
Top 10 Most Clever Callbacks in TV Shows
Westworld isn’t afraid of referencing other shows or movies: first up, we have a “clever” - ahem - allusion to Jurassic Park. The two properties have quite a lot in common: how many other franchises can you name that involve “sci-fi amusement parks gone wrong.” In the first Jurassic Park movie, Muldoon is about to kill a raptor. As he lines up his shot, another one pounces on him from the side. The same thing happens to Delos security guard Stubbs as he heads through the park. Well, not quite the same thing, as we’re dealing with robots here instead of Raptors, but you get the idea.
#7: Delos Inc.
We don’t hear much of the shadowy corporation that runs Westworld, other than the fact that it’s called Delos Incorporated. Delos Incorporated actually runs three parks in the original movie; Westworld, Medieval World and Rome World, but we only get glimpses of the corporation's name in the show. They’re probably going to have a much larger impact in future seasons, where we may get glimpses at other parks, or even how they operate outside of the “destinations” business.
#6: William Stabs Delores in the Same Place Logan Did
Top 10 William Shatner’s Captain Kirk Fight Moves
We hate what William has become, and it’s sad to remember the man he once was. William cared about Dolores, but the park just wore him down. It hammered into his mind that these were just machines, and were incapable of feeling real love or compassion. William finds out the hard way, and thus his transformation begins. His pal, Logan, on the hand, accepted this from the start, and his ruthlessness to the hosts is apparent from the get-go when we see him stab Dolores. Thirty years later, William stabs her in the same place.
#5: Alice in Wonderland
Dolores in Wonderland? Alice in Westworld? Star Evan Rachel Wood and showrunner Lisa Joy acknowledge that Dolores’ costume is a direct reference to Alice in Wonderland. The white and pale blue outfit works as well in the wild west as it does in wonderland. The connections don’t stop there, however, as Dolores also reads a passage from the book that heavily relates to what Dolores is going through in the story in that moment. Living in Westworld must feel a bit like tumbling down the rabbit hole.
#4: The Gunslinger
Top 3 Things You Missed in Westworld Season 2 Ep. 2
The show did an excellent job at creating a unique storyline and characters that differed from the original movie, while also paying homage to the source material. One of the earliest references to the original Westworld is The Man in Black, who is reminiscent of The Gunslinger, a renegade host who goes on a killing spree in the movie. We actually get a glimpse of a host that looks suspiciously like The Gunslinger later in the show. However, we discover right away that The Man in Black is not a host, and is, in fact, a human.
#3: Hints at Other Parks
Fans of the original 1973 films know that Westworld isn't the only park owned and operated by Delos, so it was great to see hints at other parks in the show. In one scene, we can see antiques or props that don't quite fit the western feel. Additionally, we get a good look at assets of another park that involve Samurai. Samurai World or Shogunworld is what viewers think the park will be called given the “SM” logo. Either way, it's safe to say additional parks will become a big part of future seasons.
#2: The Hand of the King
Top 3 Things You Missed in Westworld Season 2 Ep. 1
Westerosworld? Not sure if it has the same ring to it, but it is an entertaining idea. Why else would Logan be wearing a pin that looks so eerily similar to the one the Hand of the King wears? It's because they're reusing assets from their other parks! See, the evidence fits. What if the plot of Game of Thrones is actually a work in progress storyline for an unopened park? Astute observers will get a chuckle out of this Easter egg that pays homage to HBO’s other hit show.
#1: Maeve Leaves Her Bag on the Train
In the finale, Maeve intends to leave the park, posing as a human. She boards the departing train but subsequently leaves to find her daughter who’s still in the park. We notice she was carrying a bag with her, which she leaves on the train. So, what was in the bag? Data? Just personal belongings to blend in with the humans? We know for sure that the gun is in there, but why leave that behind? Continuity error? We doubt it: this is sure to have repercussions in the future.
