From the beginning, HBO’s Westworld has embraced the conspiratorial aspects of science fiction. The show’s marketing never ceases to add fuel to the already soaring fire that fan theories often encompass. In fact, this typically works for the series. If the narrative can toy with perception and reality, why can’t the world beyond the fiction be similarly treated? This is most notable in cryptic details posted to Westworld’s website and cleverly orchestrated trailers. The latest mind-blowing tease comes courtesy of season two’s newest sneak peek.
On Westworld’sReddit page (via Esquire), sleuthing fans note a hidden message embedded in the most recent trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjVqDg32_8s
At the trailer’s twenty-second mark, pictured in the screenshot below, is a beach setting filled with armed personnel, trunks, and a hologram. Binary code is inscribed on the trunk to the right and, at first glance, appears inconsequential—this could not be further from the truth.
Decoding the message reveals a link to a website that belongs to Westworld’s parent company, Delos Incorporated. Accessing the link’s webpage opens a minute-long video, which serves as a cryptic trailer for the HBO hit’s sophomore season.
This hidden clip acts as a advertisement for Delos. Small glitches occur throughout the video’s short run, some of which reveal glimpses at what are apparently human corpses. What might this entail for Westworld season two’s overarching plot? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below.
Audiences will re-enter the wild-west themed amusement park when the show returns on Sunday, April 22.