The "Westworld" Season 4 finale brings us to our final Telegraph of the year (and possibly ever), with listener email and voicemail taking aim at Christina, Hale, Olympiad security, HBO budgets and hosts done dirty. "Westworld" fans unloaded on "Que Sera Sera," made their predictions for Season 5, asked how transcending actually works and noted how closely Season 4 mirrored the structure of modern video games. Listen to more great music from Simon: www.soundcloud.com/simonsteric Westworld Episod...
Aug 20, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 25
For a straightforward "Westworld" Season 4 finale, we decided to do a straightforward recap of Episode 8. Ash is gonna tell you exactly what happened; Gene is gonna discuss different characters' senses of identity, and both will dig into what a potential Season 5 could hold. In this "Que Sera Sera" Deep Dive, the Shat Crew also will cover Season 4's loose ends, the nature of Christina's Final Test, who's dead, who's left alive and what gets looted first at drug stores. Listen to more great music...
Aug 16, 2022•49 min•Season 4Ep. 24
The "Westworld" Season 4 finale propelled us headlong into The Test of Season 5, wiped out some key characters and cranked up the body count. In this Instacast, Gene cheers for Clementine; Ash evokes "Return of The King;" and Big D feels like he's seen this one before. Listen to find out how The Shat Crew felt about "Que Sera Sera" and what we'll be covering in Tuesday's Deep Dive. Listen to more great music from Simon: www.soundcloud.com/simonsteric Subscribe Now Android: https://shatontv.com/w...
Aug 15, 2022•19 min•Season 4Ep. 23
It's our longest listener-mail podcast of the season! "Metanoia" was a hit with Westworld fans, triggering voicemail and email about The Sublime, Teddy, Maeve and Christina. In this episode, the full Shat Crew responds to questions about Clementine, learns the difference between worms and snakes, nerds out on social contract philosophy, theorizes on where all the people went, and hears another hilarious ad from Discount Don. This Telegraph also digs into how "Westworld" will end and why pearls a...
Aug 13, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 22
Our "Westworld" Deep Dives are always dense, but this one truly is a thicc-ass boi. In this breakdown of Season 4, Episode 7, Gene and Big D compare simulations to reality, dissect William's conversation with himself and ask why Bernard would leave The Door open. "Metanoia" also leads the Shat Crew to explore who Bernard's video message was for, what Christina is, and why that one guy decided to set fire to his office. Listen to more great music from Simon: www.soundcloud.com/simonsteric Westwor...
Aug 10, 2022•50 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Gene and Ash crown "Metanoia" the best episode since "Westworld" Season 2 in this instant-reaction episode of Shat on TV. Season 4, Episode 7 gave us gripping dialogue, heartbreak, big reveals and, most importantly, the old-school pairings we'd been craving. Was this this payoff for the previous six episodes? Will it build into an explosive season finale? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, have a listen as we prepare for Tuesday's Deep Dive. Listen to more great music from Simon: www.s...
Aug 08, 2022•15 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Caleb is the star of this "Westworld" Telegraph as listeners call and write to discuss what makes him special, how outliers work and what Caleb #279 is all about. Email and voicemail also focus on freeze tag, the Red Queen Theory, why Bernard couldn't ID the mole and whether horses are extinct. The Shat Crew also explores hope and rats, grief, Halores' worst nightmare and how Ash would ruin Season 4. Oh, and Sober British Stu calls in to help us find the beauty in the world. Listen to more great...
Aug 06, 2022•58 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Caleb fans got a dark and juicy episode this week as "Westworld" Season 4, Episode 6 peered into why Charlores hostified him, why love matters and how hope can be weaponized. "Fidelity" also illustrated Charlores' growing frustration, her cruelty, problems among the ranks of The Cause, and a bit more Westworld geography. In this Deep Dive edition, Ash and Big D also discuss how informed Charlores actually is, the science of rats, and the simple fact that "C is for Cookie." Listen to more great m...
Aug 03, 2022•38 min•Season 4Ep. 18
In Westworld Season 4, Episode 6, "Fidelity," Caleb gets to live out his best Die Hard fantasy, while Frankie lets herself be guided into the park so Bernard can reboot Maeve since she's apparently the weapon that will help save humankind. Our Instacast edition shares our immediate takes on the episode and previews what we'll cover in the upcoming Deep Dive. Listen to more great music from Simon: www.soundcloud.com/simonsteric Subscribe Now Android: https://shatontv.com/westworld-android Apple/i...
Aug 01, 2022•14 min•Season 4Ep. 17
With Gene away on vacation, Ash and BigD gathered for this week's Telegraph of Westworld Season 4 and respond to the top18 voicemails and emails about Episode 5: "Zhuangzi." Listen to more great music from Simon: www.soundcloud.com/simonsteric Westworld Episode 5 Summary:Charlotte notices that several hosts she has assigned to eliminate "outliers" – humans that have broken from her conditioning – are killing themselves shortly after contact with the humans. She orders William to kill the latest ...
Jul 29, 2022•56 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Westworld used Season 4, Episode 5 to flesh out the notion of "outliers" and introduce us to hosts "transcending." Viewers learned the extent of Charlores' control and the nature of Christina's role as The Storyteller. "Zhuangzi" brought us questionable action scenes, uncomfortable choreography and the knowledge that, even in Charlores' utopia, hosts are committing suicide. In this Deep Dive, Ash examines the power of The Tower; Gene does his best to explain the unexplained; and Big D asks, "Wha...
Jul 27, 2022•55 min•Season 4Ep. 15
"Westworld" gave us a look behind the curtain as New York City's facade crumbled in Season 4, Episode 5. "Zhuangzi" was a massive shift in style and pace from the previous two episodes, featuring far more exposition, mustache-twirling and awkward action scenes. Our Instacast edition shares our immediate takes on the episode, and previews what we'll cover in the upcoming Deep Dive. Listen to more great music from Simon: www.soundcloud.com/simonsteric Subscribe Now Android: https://shatontv.com/we...
Jul 25, 2022•14 min•Season 4Ep. 14
The full Shat Crew has gathered for its first three-host Telegraph of Westworld Season 4, responding to a record 20 voicemails and emails about Episode 4: "Generation Loss." In this listener-mail episode, we cover outlandish theories on Christina, frustrated opinions on Caleb and detailed looks at the ruins of Prohibitionworld. Listeners Jenn and Discount Don present ideas so nice we had to hear them twice, and our old friend Emmett beautifully impersonates Thandiwe Newton. Plus, there's email a...
Jul 23, 2022•41 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Episode 4 put the puzzle pieces together for "Westworld" Season 4, giving us a clearer picture of what's happening and what's to come. In this Deep Dive episode, the Shat Crew looks into the series' central question: What is it to be human? Gene digs into what makes Caleb special and why Charlores would desire a fidelity-tested version of our hero. Ash outlines the nature and structure of the New World Order. And we debut a new game called "Explain Me This." Listen to more great music from Simon...
Jul 19, 2022•49 min•Season 4Ep. 12
So many answers! So many deaths! So much Caleb! "Generation Loss" built on Episode 3's momentum and paved the runway for an exciting second half to Season 4. What some saw as "yeah duh" moments, the Shat Crew considered sorely needed solid ground for building a stable story. Our Instacast edition shares our immediate takes on the episode, and preview's what we'll cover in the upcoming Deep Dive. Listen to more great music from Simon: www.soundcloud.com/simonsteric Subscribe Now Android: https://...
Jul 18, 2022•13 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Just how long was Bernard in The Sublime, and when are we now? Listeners weighed in this week with voicemail and email ranging from conservatively logical to Big D's Express Train to Crazytown. Season 4, Episode 3 also had listeners thinking deep about identity when it comes to Christina, Charlotte, Maya, William, Frankie, and even Peter. The Shat Crew received some hot takes on how good and how bad "Westworld" has become, and Discount Don peered deep into the madness that is TV podcasting. List...
Jul 15, 2022•48 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Excitement and depth returned to "Westworld" in a big way as our favorite host duo—Stubbs and Bernard—began their quest to save humanity. In this Season 4 Episode 3 Deep Dive, the Shat Crew explores what Bernard saw in his Sublime visions and how that impacts our perception of time. We also rejoin Maeve to explore the new park, ask what makes Caleb so special (again), dissect the science behind the flies and the low-frequency resonance generator, and debate whether we just saw a grown-up Frankie...
Jul 12, 2022•47 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Three episodes in, and Bernard is back! A lot has changed since he went into the Sublime, and we are here for the mystery! In this instacast, we dive straight into the visions, mazes and flies of it all. With Bernard's piece added to the chess board and our duo of Maeve and Caleb still in the roaring Sweetwater 2.0, there's lots to digest before we dive deep into Anees Folles. Our Instacast edition shares our immediate takes on the episode, and preview's what we'll cover in the upcoming Deep Div...
Jul 11, 2022•14 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Flies, goo and Maeve's power, too! This week's listener voicemail and letters got weird on topics ranging from Christina's life to Charlores' master plan to the mystery behind the music. Season 4, Episode 2 also had listeners questioning what's left for the six remaining episodes and a for-sure Season 5. Plus, voicemails poured in about William's golfing, the purpose of the new park and more. Gene refuses to stop watching trailers (even though he rarely watches trailers), and Big D wonders if Cl...
Jul 08, 2022•43 min•Season 4Ep. 7
"Westworld" Season 4's second episode gave us a lot more solid footing, revealing how many hosts have replaced humans in the real world, what Charlores' ultimate goal seems to be, what the new park looks like and whether William is really dead. But "Well Enough Alone" also stirred up plenty of mystery, including the life and death of Peter Myers, the science behind the black goo and more questions about The Tower. We'll get to it all in this Deep Dive edition. Listen to more great music from Sim...
Jul 06, 2022•47 min•Season 4Ep. 6
We got a new park! No matter how heavy-handed the dialogue gets. No matter how senseless the deaths become. No matter where Christina's side story takes us, "Westworld" fans can cheer what looks like the most fun park yet. Season 4, Episode 2, "Well Enough Alone" uncovered some key clues behind the strange occurrences in Christina's world, gave us a pretty clear picture of what Charlores is up to, and revealed the original William is alive and not-so-well. Our Instacast edition shares our immedi...
Jul 04, 2022•17 min•Season 4Ep. 5
This week's listener voicemail and letters mostly seemed to focus on two big topics: Who is Christina, and are we in a simulation? And while it's too soon to tell, the tinfoil is coming in hot. Season 4, Episode 1 also had listeners thinking about whether "Westworld" can still draw an audience, what the episode titles might mean, and how much hosts may have evolved in the seven years since Rehoboam fell. Gene loses his mind trying to think through the possibility of time behaving differently in ...
Jul 01, 2022•42 min•Season 4Ep. 4
"Westworld" is back, and a lot has changed in the seven years since we've seen Maeve, Caleb, William and Dolo ... err, Christina. Ash and Gene are here to dive straight into the meaning of the episode title, the changes to the "Westworld" opening credits, and what's new in the world. This Deep Dive, covering Episode 1, "The Auguries," also explores what William is plotting, what the flies are all about and why Teddy is back. Beyond that, the Shat Crew catalogs the Easter egg parallels Episode 1 ...
Jun 29, 2022•47 min•Season 4Ep. 3
It's quiet. Too quiet. "Westworld" Season 4 kicked off with William up to some dastardly deeds, but things quickly became muted as the story seemed to parallel parts Season 1 and parts "The Matrix Resurrections." We also got some elements of Caleb playing Hawkeye (I've gotta leave my family to protect them) in a season premiere that felt unlike any "Westworld" Episode 1 we've ever seen. Hear a sneak preview of what we'll be covering in Tuesday's Deep Dive, and help us spot the Easter eggs litter...
Jun 27, 2022•17 min•Season 4Ep. 2
After our longest wait yet, "Westworld" is coming back with Season 4 on June 26. In this preview pod, the Shat Crew saddles up again to outline the upcoming episodes, explore some of the real-world events promoting the HBO series, touch base with the cast, and share wish lists for the season. Will there be a new park to explore? Is Dolores dead? Who's Christina, and will we ever learn to pronounce Thandiwe? Have a listen, call in, and get your re-watch done for the best show on TV. Listen to mor...
Jun 15, 2022•40 min•Season 4Ep. 1
We gathered the meanest listener tweets, texts, emails and reviews from "Westworld" Season 3 for this special edition of Shat on TV. No one is safe as Ashley, Gene, and Big D take fire for everything from their voices to failing geography class. Plus, listeners offer their final thoughts on Westworld as a whole, Dolores' flaws, the undying simulation theory, and why Season 3 wasn't as bad as the critics say. Have a listen, then join us Friday night on Twitch for a Shappy Hour hangout. Listen to ...
May 15, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 28
More than 3,000 votes were counted, and Big D drank a half bottle of vodka to celebrate Season 3 of the "Shat on TV: Westworld" Westie Awards! This special (and strangely dark) podcast edition is a thank you to everyone who listened and supported Shat on TV this season. It includes winners for Best Future Tech, Best Dressed, Best of The Dolori, Best Use of Music, Most WTF Moment, Best Action Sequence, Wasted Talent, Best Plot Twist, Best Villain, and Most Shocking Reveal. Shat Nation also crowns...
May 13, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 27
If you're the type of person who slows down to see a multi-car pileup, you'll love the listener mail in this week's Telegraph. Our 100th episode of Shat on TV: Westworld examines the link between Dolores and Mexican independence, sympathy for Serac, things the Season 3 finale did well, and reasons why viewers felt betrayed by HBO. Things get downright brutal, Big D reads the McDonald's gourmet menu, Ashley basks in plot holes, and Gene argues that Dolores and Caleb had First World Problems. Vote...
May 09, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 26
While the Internet grumbles about the Season 3 finale, the Shat Crew gets down to business asking tough questions in an effort to find Westworld's core: Did Dolores have a master plan? Why hide the key inside one of the world's most wanted men? And who's really dead? This Deep Dive, covering Episode 8, "Crisis Theory," also rounds up plot holes, questions Rehoboam's omniscience, puzzles over why Lawrence was selected, and theorizes about why Neo-Los Angeles high-rises are exploding. We also get ...
May 05, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 25
"Holy Guacamole!" cries Ashley Schafly as Westworld's season finale kills off key characters, does some serious soul-searching, and depicts the quietest of riots. "Crisis Theory" felt more like springboard into a distant Westworld Season 4 than an end to Season 3, but that's not to say it wasn't full of big answers about Serac, the Man in Black, Charlotte, Dolores, Maeve, Rehoboam, and Caleb. Plus, Bernard finally got the episode he deserved, and tons of dudes got shot in the foot. Listen to mor...
May 04, 2020•23 min•Season 3Ep. 24
