First off, what is Westworld? Surely you’ve heard OF it, but maybe not anything of what it’s ABOUT.

Westworld is a cerebral amusement park ride that keeps changing each time you ride it. This concept comes from the mind of Michael Crichton, the author behind Jurassic Park. Following the same amusement park theme, Westworld features fully-developed AI who have passed the Turing test and exhibit fully human characteristics. Each of them is programmed to be a unique character from the old west. But what happens when these AI become TOO human? Blending the genres of sci-fi and the old west into a seamless narrative is no small feat, yet, Westworld succeeds on every level. There is certainly no shortage of sex, blood, and death, but where the show really shines is in its characters.

The acting is truly stellar, as to be expected from an HBO program. A cast features outstanding talent in the forms of Jeffrey Wright, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Anthony Hopkins, Jimmi Simpson, Thandie Newton, and Ed Harris. Each character is brought to life and has a unique arc that shapes them into some of the most fascinating characters since Game of Thrones. And every one of them will keep you guessing about what is going to happen next.

The bread crumbs are laid out neatly for you to follow right from the start, yet, each episode is crafted to keep you guessing and challenge everything you believe you know. Viewers are made to struggle with their own morals and ethics. When you finally arrive at the climax, everything culminates into one of the most thought-provoking season finales in television history. The beauty of this show is in its ability to be watched over again and offer a completely different experience once you are "in the know."

Now, let’s talk about that finale while attempting not to spoil a thing. Are you ready?

First, the big character twist was laid out beautifully right from the start of the series and executed with absolute precision. Never once did I suspect the identity of the Man in Black as actually being who he was. And it’s this subversion of the expectation that makes the writing in Westworld truly remarkable. Ford’s decision at the end of the episode made me wonder just what his plan was all along. Is Maeve really bound by her own programming and essentially trapped? And what will become of Dolores Abernathy, who we have seen painfully struggle with her own identity throughout the series?

My only real complaint about the finale is a few loose ends that were left unresolved. Some characters who were present throughout the season and prominently featured seemed forgotten for the final hour-and-a-half episode. Whatever happened to Elsie? Did Logan die somewhere off in the sunset? And what about Arnold’s master plan?

Answers to these questions must wait until season 2 and beyond. After the rousing success of Game of Thrones and the announcement that the show would be ending after eight seasons, HBO was left scrambling for another show to draw viewers in by the millions. I can say, with confidence, that Westworld is that show. A realm of infinite possibilities and unique storytelling makes it one of the highest-quality programs around.

“These violent delights have violent ends.”