The partly-made-in-Utah series “Westworld” was a critical and social media darling in Season 1. In Season 2, the reactions were somewhat mixed.
There was some backlash against the show’s convoluted, sometimes confusing storylines. And the violence.
Even though Season 1 was also convoluted, confusing and violent.
But HBO president Casey Bloys isn’t exactly worried. “I wouldn’t agree that the backlash was widespread,” he told members of the Television Critics Association.
He has a point. Just because there are complaints on social media doesn’t mean they amount to much. You don’t have to look very hard online to find all kinds of complaining about “Game of Thrones,” and that show is more popular than ever.
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“Westworld” has already been renewed for Season 3, by the way. And, while nothing is official, it’s expected to return to Utah to shoot more of those gorgeous exteriors.
It’s also worth pointing out that while, yes, “Westworld” received fewer Emmy nominations this year than it did last year, it’s not exactly a big drop. It got 22 last year, tying “Saturday Night Live” for the most; it got 21 this year, a single nomination behind the 2018 leader, “Game of Thrones.”
But Bloys’ defense of “Westworld” went beyond just disputing the premise of the criticism.
“The people who love it really love it,” he said, adding that “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.”
In other words, they don’t care why you watch, as long as you’re still watching. And paying for HBO.
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( Courtesy of HBO ) Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) rides one of her dragons in “Game of Thrones.”
Speaking of ‘Game of Thrones’ • Bloys announced that the final season of “Game of Thrones” will debut in the first half of 2019. Which means that, at best, we’ll see the six episodes in about five months. At worst, it’ll be about 11 months.
I just hope I live long enough to see how it ends. Sigh.
As for that “GoT” prequel, HBO is “hoping” it goes into production in early 2019.
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(Kevork Djansezian | Associated Press) This 2005 file photo shows actors Ian McShane, who portrays Al Swearengen, left, and Paula Malcomson, who portrays Trixie, center, on the set with David Milch, creator of the HBO series "Deadwood," in Santa Clarita, Calif. HBO says it has approved a movie based on the Western drama that ended a dozen years ago. (Kevork Djansezian/)
At long last, 'Deadwood’ • Bloys also announced that the long-rumored, oft-delayed “Deadwood” follow-up TV movie will go into production in October and air sometime in 2019.
“It’s been a logistics nightmare getting all the cast members’ schedules together, but we are there,” Bloys said. “It is greenlit.”
I’ll believe it when I see it.
The profane, violent Western aired its last episode on Aug. 27, 2006 — a dozen years ago.
If you’re still anxiously awaiting the return of “Deadwood,” more power to you. I can’t even remember that final episode — and I haven’t cared enough to go back and check.