“Westworld” stands out as an impressive sci-fi series that many believe was terminated prematurely and subsequently removed from HBO Max, the streaming service of its host channel. This is unfortunate as it had the potential to serve as a compelling alternative to Prime Video’s latest “Fallout” series, though with a more thought-provoking atmosphere overall. If it were still available for streaming, you could enjoy it while anticipating more new post-apocalyptic content. For those interested, the four seasons available for purchase can be viewed at your convenience.
HBO’s “Westworld” is rooted in a series of films, with the original from 1973 — crafted by acclaimed author Michael Crichton — being the very first live-action film to utilize CGI. After the “Westworld” film and its sequel “Futureworld,” but before the recent Emmy-winning series, there was an additional show intended to build on Michael Crichton’s initial narrative. Titled “Beyond Westworld,” this show, now largely overlooked, aimed to expand upon the original concept.
Regrettably, following the airing of only three episodes on CBS — out of a total of five produced — the series was cancelled. Ratings fell short after the first two episodes, resulting in a pull before the full five-episode arc could air. It remains accessible on Prime Video, for a fee, although Rotten Tomatoes does not provide a score to gauge expectations. IMDB users, in contrast, have rated it at 4.5 out of 10 stars based on nearly 400 reviews.
What is Beyond Westworld about and how does it further the original narrative?
The DVD cover for “Beyond Westworld” indicates that the series is set after the events of the original film. However, it overlooks the sequel. The narrative focuses on the sinister intentions of the park’s mad scientist, Simon Quaid, regarding the advanced technology rather than the park itself. Quaid has covertly integrated hundreds of robots from Westworld across the globe. As portrayed in both the movie and the contemporary series, most individuals outside the park would fail to recognize the robots due to their human-like design.
“Beyond Westworld” was set to introduce a new android in each episode that John Moore, the protagonist, was tasked to track down and eliminate. In “Westworld Destroyed,” the pilot episode, Moore seeks out Quaid and discovers the existence of androids beyond the park, including one concealed among the crew of a U.S. nuclear submarine. The second episode follows Moore as he pursues an infiltrating android within an oil company, while the third features an android embedded in a rock band.
It presents an intriguing idea, but the lack of clarity regarding the low ratings seems to stem from the absence of the action typically expected from similar series as seen in the original film. The show was broadcast during CBS’s “family hour,” which limited the portrayal of firearms and other conventional weapons associated with action series, leading to an over-the-top silliness. It’s a worthwhile binge option if you start with the 1973 movie first.