Westworld: Ranking Every Character From Worst To Best

Sure the internet called it weeks in advance, but that didn't make William's transition from timid first timer to ruthless black-hat any less satisfying.

Varying from pathetic to ultra-violent over the course of the season, William could have completely failed under different circumstances. Thankfully, the character was in good hands.

Ed Harris is Ed Harris, he's always going to provide a great performance. The Man in Black had to be menacing, charming, and badass, and Harris hit every mark. When it becomes clear he is actually William, Harris is believable as this now aged, emotionally crippled character.

More surprising is Jimmi Simpson, who wonderfully sells William's transformation. Early in the season he is shy, unenthusiastic, and disillusioned by Logan's antics. As fellow newcomers to Westworld, viewers naturally sympathize with William, and the writers used this to their advantage.

Because we relate to William, it takes us a while to realize how unsettling his behavior can be. He falls in love with and is heartbroken by a robot, and that heartbreak causes him to become carefree and violent.William's arc is an enamoring representation of park infatuation, and his obsession with it ultimately makes him feel pathetic.

But don't be so quick to criticize him, because the show makes it clear that the same thing could have happened to you.