‘Westworld’ Spoilers: Episode 8 Synopsis Released Online; What Will Happen In ‘Trace Decay’?

As far as episodes go, “Westworld” episode 7, titled “Trompe L’Oeil,” proved to be one of the most shocking ones yet.

Bernard Lowe (Jeffrey Wright), the head of the park’s Programming Division, has finally been outed as a host. In the last scene, he neatly killed off his colleague and former lover, Theresa Cullen (Sidse Babett Knudsen), after Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins) gave his instruction.

In episode 8, titled “Trace Decay,” a remorseful Bernard will be questioning his involvement in Theresa’s death. The synopsis, which was shared by Comic Book, focuses on three particular characters. “Bernard struggles with a mandate; Maeve (Thandie Newton) looks to change her script; Teddy (James Marsden) is jarred by dark memories,” it reads.

In the promo for the episode, Bernard questions his boss and maker, “Why did you make me kill her?” As for Maeve, she is slowly putting her plan to escape in motion. “The things I need you to change are quite sophisticated. I’m getting out,” she says.

Dolores and William (Jimmi Simpson) have finally reached their destination, but things are not quite what they expected. “We’re here. I’m home,” says Dolores. William warns, “This place isn’t good for you.”

But it seems like all Dolores cares about is what Arnold, Ford’s former partner, thinks. “This is what Arnold wants,” she said.

Show creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy told The Hollywood Reporter that episode 7’s big reveal is something they have always planned for Bernard. “That was always the intention with his character. We knew that Ford… as you come to know Anthony Hopkins' character in the show, you start to realize the depth of his misanthropy,” said Nolan.

Joy added that Ford’s order would really trouble Bernard and affect his storyline moving forward. “Bernard, as he self-identifies as a human, is a gentle and contemplative and loving soul. That kind of act of violence, especially against someone he cares about as he cares about Theresa, would be anathema to his character,” she said.

“Westworld” airs every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.