HBO president Casey Bloys defended Season 2 of Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy’s HBO series Westworld from criticism over its convoluted plot in an appearance during the Television Critics Association summer press tour.
According to IndieWire, Bloys defended the series noting that some publications appeared to blow the backlash surrounding the show’s complex, overlapping narratives out of proportion. “I wouldn’t agree that the backlash was widespread,” Bloys said, “The people who love [the series] really love it, even the people who dislike it feel the need to discuss it and talk about it, and let you know they dislike it, and debate. And for a show to arouse that kind of feeling, that’s what we want.”
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Westworld‘s second season took the non-linear storytelling from the first season to a completely different level, creating narratives that were so complex they became difficult to understand, much less follow for many viewers and critics alike, though it wasn’t the only area in which the show has received criticism. Taking place in an old west setting, the show features heavy gun violence, which was brought up by a critic during Bloys’ presentation. “Our shows have a level of violence and nudity and air at 9PM,” Bloys responded. “It was never an overriding concern.”
Westworld has been renewed for a third season, though no release date has been announced. Airing on HBO, Westworld stars Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Rodrigo Santoro, James Marsden, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, Luke Hemsworth, Jimmi Simpson, Anthony Hopkins and Ed Harris.
