Now, the show has been teasing us with the 'who is a human and who is not?' since the very beginning. We know they 'hosts' have improvisation, and that they can learn ticks, mannerisms and react to adapt to how the story-lines change.
However, just wondering who is human and who is not would make for just a guess show, so "Westworld" has to offer more. And this episode "Trompe L'Oiel" does exactly that: it evolves the story in an interesting manner and clearly seems to pit Delos vs Ford for some kind of showdown. Since the very beginning we have seen that Hopkins's Ford seems to be his own boss and this episode just helps develop his arc in a very interesting way. We also get a little bit more of Dolores and William, and an improved Maeve, but instead of being in the park, we expend more time out, with the 'real' 'people'.
And the episode is a very strong one because of it, because of the different threads between its two worlds that are seamlessly interwoven. It helps that the acting is really good, as for example with the 'hosts' jumping from 'human' to 'non-human'. We will keep at the edge of our seats, just waiting for the next moment. Yes, we may have a couple of interesting (and more or less expected) twists, but it is the pace, direction and acting that give life to the park.
On the other hand, the show keeps shooting itself in its own foot when it comes to the park and the level of violence humans may suffer from while they are in it. The rules don't seem to be too clear, and it just makes all a little bit of a mess every time we jump into Dolores and William's story- line.
Oh, and Thandie Newton gets the chance to keep shining as Maeve.
