The Best Episode of HBO’s Biggest Sci-Fi Show Perfectly Broke All the Rules

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The first episode of Westworld was HBO’s most-watched debut since True Detective in 2014, and the show quickly gained a dedicated following. It centered on the mystery of lifelike androids, called “hosts,” becoming aware of themselves within a Wild West-themed park, while wealthy guests used them for entertainment. Created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, Season 1 attracted 12 million viewers and earned the show a total of 54 Emmy nominations over its four seasons. However, the show’s popularity began to decline in Season 2, shifting away from character development toward a more complex and plot-driven story. By the end of Season 4 in August 2022, viewership had fallen to 4 million, and HBO canceled Westworld before it could finish its planned storyline.

Despite some unevenness in its later seasons, Westworld still created some truly exceptional science fiction television episodes. A prime example is Season 2, Episode 8, “Kiksuya.” This episode uniquely shifted away from the show’s usual format and main storyline, dedicating almost an entire hour to exploring the inner world of a character who had previously been on the periphery. While it took a risk by deviating from the established formula, “Kiksuya” is arguably the most emotionally powerful episode of Westworld, achieving this by effectively blending the show’s complex backstory with meaningful character development.

What Makes Westworld‘s “Kiksuya” So Special

The “Kiksuya” episode of Westworld, written by Carly Wray and Dan Dietz and directed by Uta Briesewitz, first aired on June 10, 2018. The title means “remember” in Lakota, and most of the dialogue is spoken in that language, setting it apart from all other episodes of the show. Unlike typical Westworld episodes that jump between different timelines and focus on many characters, “Kiksuya” tells a single story centered on Akecheta (Zahn McClarnon), a Ghost Nation warrior whose development had been happening behind the scenes throughout the first two seasons. Before this episode, the Ghost Nation were mysterious figures, often appearing as frightening images in Maeve’s (Thandiwe Newton) visions, and their motives were unknown. “Kiksuya” completely changed how viewers understood them.

The episode “Kiksuya” tells Akecheta’s life story through flashbacks he shares with the unconscious Maeve. This narrative device brilliantly illustrates how our memories shape who we are – a central idea Westworld had been exploring in a more complex way for two seasons. The episode focuses on Akecheta’s decades-long quest to find Kohana, a host whose awareness he helped unlock before she was shut down. By framing these big philosophical questions around a love story, rather than conflict with the corporation or action sequences, the episode is surprisingly clear and impactful – something previous, more complicated episodes often lacked. Martin McClarnon delivers a powerful performance, carrying the entire hour largely on his own, and it’s the heart of the episode’s success. Critics overwhelmingly praised “Kiksuya,” giving it a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 9.34/10, and many consider it one of the best episodes of the series.

The praise for the episode “Kiksuya” also highlights a key weakness in how Westworld told its story. The show focused so much on complicated plots that it forgot to make the audience care about the characters and their fates. “Kiksuya” proved that the show’s most compelling themes – like what makes someone conscious and whether suffering can create a soul – were most powerful when explored through personal, human stories. This episode felt like a strong, self-contained film within a season that needed more focus. Unfortunately, Westworld didn’t continue with this approach, instead making the story bigger and more complex, which ultimately lost viewers. This is likely why the show, which started with 12 million viewers, ended with significantly fewer.

What do you think – is “Kiksuya” the greatest episode of Westworld? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-04-22 20:15