5 predictions for the Westworld season 2 finale

Elsie will be revealed to be a digital ghost

Since awakening on the beach of the in the premiere of Westworld’s second season, it’s been clear that something is wrong with Bernard. Since his violent death and resurrection in the first season finale, he’s lost perspective. The past and the present are indistinguishable to him and he seems to completely lose focus at random intervals.

But I think his issues extend beyond trauma. I think he’s dealing with being haunted by a ghost from his past. Namely his former assistant Elsie Hughes (Shannon Woodward). Bernard supposedly discovered Elsie chained up in a cave in “The Riddle of the Sphinx” and the two have since worked together to survive in the now feral Westworld. However, just like Bernard, Elsie has been a bit off since her rescue.

She’s gone along with the man who nearly killed her with no assurances of her safety other than his word. And she’s made no attempt to eat or drink anything or seek help. And Elsie has only interacted with one other character besides Bernard this season; the deranged clone Host of James Delos (Peter Mullan). And in the encounter, Delos curiously only acknowledged her when he wasn’t acknowledging Bernard.

Following all those neon breadcrumbs, I’ve come to believe that Elsie isn’t really there. Bernard killed her in season 1 and he been talking to a digital doppelganger “Sphinx.” And like the Ford double that briefly took up residence in his head, digital Elsie can also control Bernard’s body, such as when she engaged Delos or repaired Bernard’s systems. And as pure data, I think she has the ability to wirelessly connect with Westworld’s systems, explaining how she put Bernard in the Cradle.

This reveal was even foreshadowed in “Sphinx” when Bernard said, “Elsie, I’m not here with you am I?” in the Delos lab. At the time, it seemed like Bernard was acknowledging that he had become lost in his memories. But in reality, I think he was briefly aware of the fact that he had unknowingly murdered his assistant. In the season finale, I predict Bernard will finally come to terms with his actions. And will make a game-changing decision because of that realization that will shape the course of season 3.