Really Internet: Bernard Is Actually An Android On ‘Westworld’

Every now and then, a show emerges that just begs to be torn apart by internet sleuths. Typically, it’s a series that’s mainstream enough to achieve an impressive audience but complicated enough to reward dedicated viewers. Last year, that new series was undoubtedly Mr. Robot. This year, HBO’s new western sci-fi Westworld has stolen the fan theory spotlight.

Westworld dives into the most fulfilling and disturbing amusement park of all time, a place where people can pay to do whatever they want to humanoid androids — and I mean anything. The series follows Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood), the park’s oldest host who slowly gains sentience and starts to lash out against her captors. The show is a compelling look at what it means to be human wrapped up in several layers of internal conspiracies, corporate manipulation, and atypical characters. You better believe all corners of the internet have taken turns tearing it to shreds. Last week’s episode destroyed most fans’ favorite theory —��that William (Jimmi Simpson) and the Man in Black are actually the same person but in different timelines — so it’s time to dive into this week’s runner-up theory.

WHAT’S THE THEORY?

Bernard (Jeffery Wright), the head of Westworld Programming Division and creator of artificial intelligence, is actually an android. You can see where this may become a problem for both Bernard and all the host-abusing humans out there.

WHY IT’S NOT THAT CRAZY

Part of what makes Westworld so successful as a theme park will likely be its demise. Save for sawing into someone’s middle, it’s next to impossible to tell is someone is an android or a human. As a result, it’s impossible to prove that Bernard isn’t a host. Not only that, but Bernard is the right hand man to the park’s android-obsessed and dependent mastermind, Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins). If that’s the case, then Bernard’s relationship with his estranged with and deceased son may merely be part of his backstory.

However, what makes Bernard most android-like are his interactions with hosts, most notably Dolores. Bernard has taken measures to protect the newly awakened Dolores from the malignant and corrupt forces of management. Also, during his one-on-one meetings with her, Bernard allows Dolores to keep her clothes on, a departure from the nude, piece-of-meat way management typically treats its hosts.

WHY IT’S QUESTIONABLE

You could argue that all of Bernard’s kindness toward Dolores has to do with his curiosity. He wants to know why this android is malfunctioning in such a severe way, so he’s willing to treat her better in an effort to gain her trust. However, Bernard’s respect is so far above and beyond that of his peers’, it’s questionable. And then there’s the Arnold question.

Arnold was Ford’s former business partner and is now Dolores’ new imaginary friend. If Bernard is indeed an android, it’s possible that he was was originally created to be a version of Arnold or Arnold’s replacement. Here’s what we know for sure. Westworld is far more complicated than it seems, and that complexity is building toward a big reveal. According to Wood’s recent interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, next week’s episode, Episode Five, will be taking things to 11, so who knows? Maybe this time next week we’ll know exactly who and what Bernard really is. But more than likely we will walk away Sunday night more confused and obsessed with this Western mystery than ever.

[Where to watch Westworld]