Every week, Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, and Neil Miller enter the pop-culture discourse with a lively (and occasionally heated) debate pegged to the biggest new releases in film and television. In addition to bringing their own answer, they also consider submissions from listeners and the occasional special guest. Together via rigorous debate and a listener poll, the hosts and audience venture on a quest to find the perfect answer for each of the greatest pop culture questions of our time.
Theories and Mailbag From ‘Westworld’ S3E8: “Crisis Theory”
We dive into the mailbag this week to answer your questions and respond to your best theories about the Season 3 finale of HBO’s ‘Westworld,’ including how the show tied up its loose ends, Dolores’s endgame, Serac as a Season 3 villain, and what we hope for in Season 4.
Thanks for listening this season! Submit any lingering questions, comments, and conspiracy theories to [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
Guest: Kevin O’Connor
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5/6/2020 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 28 seconds
Theories and Mailbag From ‘Westworld’ S3E7: “Passed Pawn”
We dive into the mailbag this week to answer your questions and respond to your best theories about Season 3, Episode 7 of HBO’s ‘Westworld,’ including: What questions does the show need to answer in the season finale? What is Caleb’s ultimate importance to the show? Are half the scenes we’ve watched this season a simulation?
To submit questions, comments, and conspiracy theories to the show, email [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
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4/29/2020 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 37 seconds
‘Westworld,’ S3E7: “Passed Pawn”
We give our immediate reactions to Season 3, Episode 7 of HBO’s ‘Westworld.’ With only one episode left in the season, has the show left itself enough room to effectively land the plane? Plus: the Maeve vs. Dolores showdown we've all been waiting for.
To submit questions, comments, and conspiracy theories, email [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
Guest: Chris Ryan
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4/27/2020 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 39 seconds
Theories and Mailbag From ‘Westworld’ S3E6: “Decoherence”
We dive in to answer your questions and respond to your best theories about Season 3, Episode 6 of HBO’s ‘Westworld,’ including: What the heck is going on with William’s hand? Did Serac or Dolores burn Charlotte? And finally, does Serac have the worst security detail of any billionaire in history?
To submit questions, comments, and conspiracy theories to the show, email [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
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4/22/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 8 seconds
‘Westworld,’ S3E6: “Decoherence”
We give our immediate reactions to Season 3, Episode 6 of HBO’s ‘Westworld.’ Where do we see the rest of this season going for Charlotte? What is the emotional weight of the standoff between Maeve and Dolores? And, of course, is William a host or a human?
To submit questions, comments, and conspiracy theories, email [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
Guest: Juliet Litman
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4/20/2020 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 51 seconds
Theories and Mailbag From ‘Westworld’ S3E5: “Genre”
We sit down to answer your questions about Season 3, Episode 5 of HBO’s ‘Westworld.’ How much of what we see can be believed? Is it all a simulation? What isn’t the show telling us about Caleb’s past?
To submit questions, comments, and conspiracy theories to the show, email [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
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4/15/2020 • 57 minutes, 42 seconds
‘Westworld,’ S3E5: “Genre”
We give our immediate reactions to Season 3, Episode 5 of HBO’s ‘Westworld.’ What worked and what didn’t about the show's genre drug concept? Was this an effective follow-up episode to the reveal made in Episode 4?
To submit questions, comments, and conspiracy theories, email [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
Guest: Sean Fennessey
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4/13/2020 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 25 seconds
Theories and Mailbag From ‘Westworld’ S3E4: “The Mother of Exiles”
We sit down to answer your questions about Season 3, Episode 4 of HBO’s ‘Westworld,’ including: Is there a fifth Dolores? How strong is the evidence that William is a host? What are the stakes of a show in which we watch main characters die every episode?
To submit questions, comments, and conspiracy theories to the show, email [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
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4/8/2020 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 20 seconds
‘Westworld,’ S3E4: “The Mother of Exiles”
We give our immediate reactions to Season 3, Episode 4 of HBO’s ‘Westworld,’ including a long conversation about (SPOILER ALERT) the big reveal of the episode: Dolores has put herself in multiple host bodies.
To submit questions, comments, and conspiracy theories to the show, email [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
Guest: Andrew Gruttadaro
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4/6/2020 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 7 seconds
Theories and Mailbag From ‘Westworld’ S3E3: “The Absence of Field”
We sit down to answer your questions about Season 3, Episode 3 of HBO’s ‘Westworld.’ Featured in this mailbag: a deeper reading of David’s Dolores theory (SPOILERS) and a new segment, Westworld Reddit Out of Context.
To submit questions, comments, and conspiracy theories to the show, email [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
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4/1/2020 • 50 minutes, 43 seconds
‘Westworld,’ S3E3: “The Absence of Field”
We give our immediate reactions to Season 3, Episode 3 of HBO’s ‘Westworld.’ Who is in Charlotte Hale’s body? Is Serac a real person or a digital manifestation? Which NBA player is Dolores? Plus: a David Shoemaker prediction that just might be crazy enough to work (SPOILER ALERT 20:30-31:30).
To submit questions, comments, and conspiracy theories to the show, email [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
Guest: Kevin O’Connor
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3/30/2020 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 47 seconds
Theories and Mailbag From ‘Westworld’ S3E2: “The Winter Line”
We sit down to answer your questions about Season 3, Episode 2 of HBO’s ‘Westworld.’ Plus: a deep dive on simulation theory and how it applies to this season.
To submit questions, comments, and conspiracy theories to the show, email [email protected].
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
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3/25/2020 • 49 minutes, 29 seconds
‘Westworld,’ S3E2: “The Winter Line”
We give our immediate reactions to Season 3, Episode 2 of HBO’s ‘Westworld.’ Has the show disrupted the concept of reality? Among the cast that’s left, who can we believe is human? Plus: a line-by-line summary of the events and a discussion about how Season 3 has so far been more digestible than Season 2.
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
Guest: Andrew Gruttadaro
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3/23/2020 • 53 minutes, 31 seconds
Theories and Mailbag from ‘Westworld’ S3E1: “Parce Domine”
We sit down to answer your questions about Season 3, Episode 1 of HBO’s ‘Westworld’—including whether there are multiple timelines (again), who is in Charlotte’s body, and whether we would enter into Westworld if we had the money.
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
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3/18/2020 • 39 minutes, 55 seconds
‘Westworld,’ S3E1: “Parce Domine”
We give our immediate reactions to Season 3, Episode 1 of HBO’s ‘Westworld’—including a catchup on where it begins, questions it has proposed, characters it reintroduced, and what the show is trying to be in its third season.
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
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3/16/2020 • 58 minutes, 50 seconds
‘Westworld’ Season 2 Recap
With Season 3 fast approaching, we sit down to recap the convoluted events of Season 2 of HBO’s ‘Westworld’—including the biggest twists, most confusing questions answered and unanswered, and where we left the show headed into its next season.
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
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3/13/2020 • 57 minutes, 26 seconds
‘Westworld’ S1 Recap
With Season 3 fast approaching, we sit down to recap the far-away events of Season 1 of HBO’s ‘Westworld’—including the biggest twists, most confusing questions answered and left unanswered, and the show’s initial cultural footprint.
Hosts: David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz
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3/11/2020 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 32 seconds
Theories From 'Westworld' S2E10, "The Passenger"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Micah Peters, and Danny Heifetz discuss the Easter eggs left throughout the finale (21:03), the latest fan theories (26:12), and the biggest moments from this season (48:24).
More from The Ringer:
‘Westworld’ Season Finale, and the Search for the Next ‘Game of Thrones’
The Haphazard Storytelling of ‘Westworld’ Season 2
The Best TV of 2018—So Far
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6/26/2018 • 57 minutes, 23 seconds
'Westworld,' S2E10: "The Passenger"
In this live podcast, The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Juliet Litman, Micah Peters, and Danny Heifetz give their immediate reactions to the 'Westworld' Season 2 finale (8:01), discuss the biggest cliffhangers (32:10), and answer fan questions (64:55).
Watch the live taping of this episode on Twitter, YouTube, or Facebook.
More from The Ringer:
The Five Most Pressing Questions From the ‘Westworld’ Finale
What Matters in the ‘Westworld’ Finale
‘Westworld’ Is Inspired by Video Games, but That Doesn’t Mean It Should Be Treated Like One
What Show Does ‘Westworld’ Want to Be?
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6/25/2018 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 55 seconds
Theories From 'Westworld,' S2E9: "Vanishing Point"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Micah Peters, and Danny Heifetz discuss what next week's trailer tells us about the Season 2 finale (4:49), Logan's return (28:04), and all the possible references to classic literature (31:04).
More from The Ringer:
Character Study: The Man in Black
The Three Most Pressing Questions From ‘Westworld’ Episode 9
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6/19/2018 • 1 hour, 2 seconds
'Westworld,' S2E9: "Vanishing Point"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Sean Fennessey, and Danny Heifetz break down the penultimate episode of the season and discuss whether the Man in Black is a host (9:50), how seriously viewers should take character deaths (15:30), and what we learned from all the flashbacks (27:27).
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6/18/2018 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 6 seconds
Theories From ‘Westworld,’ S2E8: “Kiksuya”
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Micah Peters, and Danny Heifetz discuss what they got wrong in the last episode (03:00), speculate further about the theory that William is a host (19:40), and look ahead to next week’s episode (48:10).
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6/12/2018 • 53 minutes, 8 seconds
'Westworld,’ S2E8: “Kiksuya"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Andrew Gruttadaro, and Danny Heifetz break down why Akecheta is such an important host (8:29), the art of a bottle episode (24:14), and this week's awards (45:27).
More from The Ringer:
How to Glitch Like a ‘Westworld’ Robot: A Q&A With Louis Herthum
What Makes a Great Episode of ‘Westworld’
‘Black Mirror’ Showrunners on Their Favorite Episodes
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6/11/2018 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 55 seconds
Theories From 'Westworld,' S2E7: "Les Écorchés"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Micah Peters, and Danny Heifetz discuss this week's timelines (1:10), the wild Charlotte-Bernard theory (12:25), and why Wild Bill may be the key to figuring out where we're going next (38:36).
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6/5/2018 • 43 minutes, 10 seconds
'Westworld,’ S2E7: “Les Écorchés"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Kate Knibbs, and Danny Heifetz discuss what "the door" may be (13:18), Maeve and the Man in Black's dramatic reunion (32:41), and this week's awards (51:20).
More from The Ringer:
Theories From ‘Westworld,’ S2E6: “Phase Space”
The Many Murdochs Behind ‘Succession’
The Ringer Guide to Streaming in June
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6/4/2018 • 59 minutes, 27 seconds
Theories From 'Westworld,' S2E6: "Phase Space"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Micah Peters, and Danny Heifetz discuss things they missed in last week's episode (3:02), figuring out the cradle (13:43), and the connection hosts may have to elephants (37:20).
This week's theories:
Aspect ratio
Is Bernard being looped?
How the cradle impacts what we've seen so far
Ants/superorganism theory
Elephants are hosts
Elephants are metaphors for hosts
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5/31/2018 • 56 minutes, 31 seconds
'Westworld,' S2E6: "Phase Space"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Juliet Litman, and Danny Heifetz discuss this week's big reveal (7:32), the most pressing questions we're left with (31:45), and this episode's awards (48:02).
More from The Ringer:
How to Glitch Like a ‘Westworld’ Robot
The Three Most Pressing Questions From ‘Westworld’ Episode 6
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5/29/2018 • 1 hour, 30 seconds
Theories From ‘Westworld,’ S2E5: “Akane No Mai”
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Micah Peters, and Danny Heifetz discuss the driving theories of this season so far (9:47), whether or not Ford is a host (16:51), and what's in store next week (38:07).
More from The Ringer:
The ‘Westworld’ Midseason Exit Survey
The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Life of Teddy Flood
This week's theories:
Delores' plan
Plagiarism + host construction
Maeve's daughter
The cradle
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5/22/2018 • 42 minutes, 5 seconds
‘Westworld,’ S2E5: “Akane No Mai”
The Ringer’s David Shoemaker, Alyssa Bereznak, and Danny Heifetz discuss the parallel strands between this week’s episode and previous moments in ‘Westworld’ (06:15) before asking burning questions they have after visiting Shogun World (23:15). Then they hand out this week’s awards (50:05).
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5/21/2018 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 2 seconds
Theories From 'Westworld,' S2E4: "The Riddle of the Sphynx"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Micah Peters, and Danny Heifetz discuss the importance of the book sitting in Jim Delos's "apartment" (9:10), this week's mind-blowing theory about the Man in Black (19:20), and why Dolores may be journeying to a library (29:40).
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5/15/2018 • 48 minutes, 40 seconds
'Westworld,' S2E4: "The Riddle of the Sphinx"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Jason Concepcion, and Danny Heifetz discuss Bernard's and Jim Delos's timeline jumps (7:50), the reveal of William's daughter and what her role may be going forward (27:19), and this week's awards (46:49).
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5/14/2018 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 26 seconds
Theories From 'Westworld,' S2E3: "Virtù e Fortuna”
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Micah Peters, and Danny Heifetz discuss this week's top theories including The Man In White (4:11), Elsie's potential return (6:02), and....'Jurassic Park'-world (15:02).
More from The Ringer:
The Three Most Pressing Questions From ‘Westworld’ Episode 3
Read more about the theories we mentioned:
The Man In White
The identity of "Grace"
Pre-historic world
The AI uprising is just another narrative
Delos logo
Is Elsie coming back?
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5/8/2018 • 26 minutes, 5 seconds
‘Westworld,’ S2E3: “Virtù e Fortuna”
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Sean Fennessey, and Danny Heifetz discuss why this week's episode was confusing (5:38), the possibilities in store for discovering more of the wider world (8:52), the disappointing battle at Fort Forlorn Hope (27:22), and this week's awards (42:19).
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5/7/2018 • 51 minutes, 42 seconds
Theories From 'Westworld' S2E2: "Reunion"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Danny Heifetz, and Micah Peters discuss the correct timeline of Arnold's death (2:15), the theory that Teddy's brain is now in Bernard's body (9:56), and what Lee Sizemore may have to do with that giant sea from episode 1 (22:05).
More from The Ringer:
What ‘Westworld’ and Facebook Have in Common
The Three Most Pressing Questions From ‘Westworld’ Episode 2
Reddit threads to check out:
B = T theory
Bernard's Shirts and Scars
Delores' Plan
Find us on Twitter:
@DavidShoemaker
@Danny_Heifetz
@micahpeters_
@Ringer
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5/1/2018 • 23 minutes, 44 seconds
'Westworld,' S2E2: "Reunion"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Alison Herman, and Danny Heifetz discuss Dolores and Maeve's anticlimactic meeting and the introductions that happened in this episode (10:53), that surprising guest star (17:39), the Delos timeline (29:19), and this week's biggest theories (50:13).
More from The Ringer:
Get more of Danny's 'Westworld' theories here
Subscribe to 'The Dave Chang Show'
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4/30/2018 • 56 minutes, 49 seconds
'Westworld,' S2E1: "Journey Into Night"
The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Chris Ryan, and Danny Heifetz discuss the Season 2 premiere of 'Westworld' (1:06), the most shocking moment of the episode (21:42), and what new plot theories were created (36:19).
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4/23/2018 • 43 minutes, 35 seconds
Introducing 'Westworld: The Recappables:'
The Ringer's David Shoemaker and Danny Heifetz introduce a brand-new podcast, which will cover Season 2 of HBO's 'Westworld,' examine where the show left off in Season 1, and discuss what there is to look forward to.
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