Westworld and Feminism

The women in Westworld are starting to take charge. Mauve and Dolores are figuring out that there is more to their world than how they were programmed. Mauve controls some of the programmers and gets them to do what she wants.. Also, Dolores starts to become much more capable of taking care of herself. In addition to all of this, in Episode 7, Theresa and Charlotte plan to strategically overthrow Ford. However, should this be applauded?

            While the show definitely has some worthwhile redeeming points when it comes to portraying women I do not think that it goes far enough in this positive portrayal. This positive portrayal comes at a price. Let us not forget that the same show that is now showing these redeeming qualities has also had some very negative portrayals of women. These negative portrayals include brutality towards women. Even in Episode 7, as the Theresa and Charlotte are trying to work on being able to take over Clementine is being beaten. When Clementine tries to fight back and protect herself she ends up getting shot.  Also, women are not completely respecting each other. An example of this is Charlotte telling Theresa that she does not like her personally, but thinks that she is the right person for the job of overthrowing Ford. Charlotte also talks down to Theresa. In addition, women are also treated as sexual objects. Even though Dolores does end up getting to take care of herself she has to trade in her feminine clothes for more masculine clothes in order to do so. This reinstates that male qualities are more desirable than female qualities. Mauve also does not control the programmers through intellect, but also through threats. This casts a negative light on her. In addition, at the end of Episode 7, Theresa gets murdered by Bernard for trying to overthrow Ford.

             At surface value it may look like this show should be applauded for its portrayal of women. However, when we get right to the heart of it, Westworld portrays the same sexist views that so many women try to fight against. The producers will have to do a lot more to try to get me to see Westworld as a show that positively reflects women.