«Westworld» and immortality

Le Regard Libre N° 42 - Jonas Follonier

The second season of the American series Westworld was broadcast from April 22 to June 24 in its original language; every month or so, RTS Un offered a version with French subtitles. Like the first season, which we wrote about in an editorial dated January 2017, this new series of episodes not only has the advantage of a more than successful formal and scripted quality, but also of questioning the viewer on topical - and fascinating - philosophical issues.

In addition to the question of whether robots have consciousness, the relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence, the kinds of emotions machines might experience, and the question of the definition of life—themes that were already pervasive in the first season—, Westworld now tackles the issue of immortality. This theme is subtly woven into the plot—or rather, the plots—of the series, which is becoming increasingly complex.

Read also | Westworld, a series that raises questions

As a reminder, this series is produced by HBO—the American network Home Box Office, which also produces Game of Thrones and True Detectives among other global hits—and adapted from the science-fiction film Mondwest (1973) is set in the near future and features an amusement park that recreates the world of the American West and is populated by androids that are physically indistinguishable from humans. Visitors can come and do whatever they want without consequences, but things get complicated when a software update triggers the androids’ revenge.

The plot may seem trite and clichéd, but that is not the case. This summary merely provides the context for actions and ideas that resonate with our present day, particularly transhumanism, a movement aimed at to create an «augmented human,» and the aesthetic atmosphere of the episodes is exceptionally well-crafted. In Season 2, we learn that the park’s purpose isn’t solely for leisure. It is in this context that humanity’s age-old thirst for eternity plays a significant role in the current themes explored by the series.

We won’t go into the details of this plot so as not to spoil the story for readers who, I hope, will be tempted to check out this series. For once, this kind of activity isn’t a waste of time.

Write to the author: jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com

Illustration: © Amélie Wauthier for Le Regard Libre