Westworld Season 2: 10 Crucial Things That MUST Happen

Westworld set a high standard for itself to match with the intricate detail of the first season’s setting, exploring older representations and tropes of Westerns in a wholly modern light.

With Shogun World coming up as our next Delos Destination, viewers have high expectations in terms of the portrayal of a particularly rich, vibrant and iconic period of history. On top of that, Shogun-era Japan is a fascinating treasure trove of potential entertainment value.

At the same time, the series needs to be very careful to avoid tired cliches and stereotypes; the last thing anyone needs to see is for Japanese hosts to be given an overly exotic treatment, reducing the men to katana-waving warriors or the women to painted geishas.

It’s a balancing act that needs to be handled delicately. If they get it right, HBO could strike gold, respecting stylistic landmarks of Japanese cinema and Kurosawa influences while rendering them in refreshing, modern forms.

The first season left fans salivating for more, but with all the plates that Westworld started spinning with such ferocity, all the pieces are in place for a second season that not only matches the quality of the first, but to surpass it.