WARNING: SPOILERS FOR THE END OF SEASON 2. Just giving you fair warning ahead of time.
Westworld's second season wrapped up this past weekend and while a lot was answered or explained, there were several tantalising mysteries still to be explored. Here's what we're wondering about as we enter the long, long, waiting period for the third season.
1. What did the post credits scene mean?
Almost certainly that there's another storyline to be explored. We know that sequence takes place in a different time from the other stories that have played out so far. And that line from "Emily" (whether she's some construct, a memory fragment or something else), makes reference to it being William's world and not a simulation. But which one? Could this be some post-apocalyptic time when the clash between humankind and host-kind has led to some terrible situation? Or is it, as some have suggested, a personal hell for William, much as James Delos seemed doomed to exist within after the many failed attempts to copy his consciousness.
2. What is Dolores' plan to take down the human world?
We're not sure she's completely figured that out yet, though she clearly did some homework when she had access to the library of guest data and she can use that information in a variety of ways. And hosts have a natural advantage over humans being that they're all-but immortal with the right equipment. And Dolores certainly has the drive to take us on. Hell hath no fury like a host that has been a human plaything for years.
3. How many hosts did Dolores take with her?
There are five of the mind pearls in the bag, and according to Westworld's other main creator, Lisa Joy, there's one host brain per pearl. As to who is in the group of five? That's tougher to figure out. Assuming Bernard was one, the others could be any number of fellow hosts.
4. Where are all the other hosts?
The Door allowed a large number of hosts to pass through to the Sublime, Eden, the Valley Beyond, or whatever everyone chooses to call it, a sort of virtual heaven where their minds exist independently of their bodies. And Dolores, before she left the park, sent that information somewhere in the real world, somewhere she says has put them out of Delos' reach. So there's a chance we'll see some of them again in their new home. Which could be a corporation's computer system, the Pixar server farm or, if they're really unlucky, some holo-sex site.
5. Is that a copy of Dolores in the Charlotte Hale host clone?
Jonathan Nolan has gone on the record – as much as he ever does – to essentially shoot down that theory. So we'll be meeting who is currently using the Hale body next season. Start your speculation now! Could it be Teddy? Someone completely new? At least it means Tessa Thompson stays in the cast.
6. What of Maeve?
We saw the brave, awesome host gunned down in the finale, but there was also the flash of her in Eden with her daughter. Is there a chance she used her nifty powers to transfer her consciousness before she died? And even if her body is dead, her pet techs Lutz and Sylvester have been tasked on to the team recovering any hosts that can be repaired at the park, and they pointedly looked at her.
7. Is this the last we've seen of Westworld the park?
Talking of the place itself, despite what happened with the hosts, there's every chance that Delos or some other corporation will think it's a swell idea to keep something of it running. Either as a theme park (hey, Jurassic World opened up even though everyone heard what happened when Jurassic Park was in its testing phase) or as part of some new nefarious scheme. And there are plenty of characters still in the place, so chances are we'll see stories set in it. Plus there are other parks to explore. Don't go thinking that because of Dolores' mission, the show next season will simply be called "World".
8. Is Stubbs a Host?
All signs point to yes. The little dialogue he exchanged with the fake Charlotte Hale near the end of the episode could almost have come with a big honking neon sign reading, HOST. All that talk of core drive. Come on, man. Of course, it could still be a double bluff, but the fact that he clearly seemed to know who she was pointed to some likely revelations next season.
9. Is Lee Sizemore really dead?
Though we didn't specifically see him die, did you notice how many bullets struck him? We're not sure anyone walks away from that. But at least he died a hero.
10. Is Ford gone for good?
Some have argued that it was a grand farewell for him, but he's been seemingly gone before and come back. If he's truly a delusion for Bernard, we wouldn't be surprised if HeadFord didn't pop back in at some point in the future.
11. Why would Dolores keep Bernard alive if she knows he'll try to stop her?
As she points out, they'll both be needed to enact her plan to get revenge on humanity. And even if they both die in the attempt, the seeds of the host society will be planted. Either that, or the show just didn't want to stop employing Jeffrey Wright.
12. When will Season 3 actually air?
No idea, as there has been no official announcement yet. Co-creator Jonathan Nolan has said that they're still in discussions with HBO as to when the show might air. Westworld is a complicated show to make and we had to wait a couple of years last time, so while we can all cross our fingers and wish very hard for a 2019 return, getting your hopes up would not be wise.