Westworld: The aspect ratio theory

Westworld fans love to theorize, and we love to listen! One of the biggest theories circulating after season 2, episode 6 ‘Phase Space’ has to do with the aspect ratio of the screen, and Vanity Fair broke it down for us. Let’s discuss, shall we?

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

If you recall, the beginning of episode 6 showed Bernard and Dolores having a chat, very similar to how they would in season one and from the season two premiere. Check out the clip below (and note the aspect ratio):

The aspect ratio is a big part of this scene–and we’ll explain why. In ‘Phase Space’, we saw Dolores taking control of the conversation between her and Bernard when she tells him to “freeze all motor functions.” It appears this has happened many times before and she’s seeing where his fidelities lie.

Sound familiar? Yup, the very same conversation took place between William and James Delos in episode four when we learned about Delos uploading consciousness into host bodies.

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Perhaps, what is going on in the scene in episode 6 is Arnold’s consciousness is now inside of Bernard’s host body. The episode ended with Bernard in the Cradle and while we frantically tried to connect the dots, it appears that we do have an Arnold in Bernard type situation.

‘Phase Space’ was quite trippy to watch at the end because Bernard was actually inside of the Cradle and seeing the Sweetwater simulation take place. He passes Dolores, Teddy, and the episode ends with him seeing…FORD! Yes, Ford.

So, the red ball of confusion er consciousness is actually Ford’s and he is living in the code of the park. This is why in season two he still has so much control over what is going on. Namely, speaking through random hosts to the Man in Black.

This actually explains what Elsie was talking about when she said the Cradle was actively fighting back–it’s Ford! But this begs the question, when are we actually inside the Cradle and when are we not? This is when the aspect ratio theory really starts to come into play.

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When the shot goes from Elise and Bernard to Bernard inside the Cradle, the aspect ratio changes from fullscreen to widescreen. So I guess what we’re assuming is that whenever we see a widescreen shot, we’re in the Cradle.

Now, going back to the scene between Bernard and Dolores in the season two premiere and episode 6, can you guess what the aspect ratio is there? Yup, widescreen.

We still have no idea if this is correct or what the heck is actually going on, but we just might be one step closer to figuring it all out (or at least we can tell ourselves that).

Westworld airs every Sunday on HBO at 9 PM EST!