Say it ain’t so: The Man in Back could become Westworld’s main villain again

Westworld is confirmed to be coming back for season 4, and the main villain might be a blast to the past with the Man in Black. But why do we keep going back?

The Man in Black has been a constant on Westworld since season 1. And, to be quite honest, I’m tired. William (Ed Harris) was the main twist (apart from Bernard) during season 1, revealing that show was operating in two separate timelines. We meet “Billy” (Jimmi Simpson) when he comes to Westworld for the first time with his future brother-in-law, Logan Delos (Ben Barnes). While the “Man in Black” storyline is happening at the same time, we realize by the end of the season that he is Billy in the future — and thus the constant nature of William trying to, essentially, beat the game begins.

Through William, we see the downfall of Westworld as a theme park and how terrible it can be to the mind. But also … I don’t care about William when his family is infinitely more interesting. His father-in-law’s storyline while trapped inside this simulation is fascinating. Logan Delos is my favorite character. And even his daughter Emily is more exciting. And yet now, with season 4, William could be at the forefront yet again?

Jonathan Nolan, who is the show’s co-creator, teased that the Man in Black could come back as the major villain in season 4, and while I’m excited that it isn’t another season of Dolores, it doesn’t mean I necessarily want the show to go back to the villain of old.

Talking at the Entertainment Weekly roundtable, Nolan had this to say: “I’m a big believer in being guided by irony. [William] winds up becoming this thing [a host] that he’s controlled for so long. And on a visceral level, I just can’t wait to watch Ed kill everyone.”

It isn’t necessarily the William we know if Nolan’s quote is anything to go off of, but it’s still another season focused on him. And with so many other interesting characters it could center on, I almost wish they’d give someone else a chance. Yes, I love watching Ed Harris in the role, and the prospect of him “killing everyone” is kind of fun — but will I ever get my shot at seeing a season about Logan Delos?

No matter what though, I’m excited for more of Westworld. The show is constantly evolving and changing from what we think we know, so it’s going to be wonderful to actually see where season 4 takes us either way. But, please: Let’s start putting other characters in the limelight as well.

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