Westworld: Why William Can't Be The Man in Black

Westworld, the new hit sci-fi series from HBO, is keeping viewers guessing with each new episode. Not only are we guessing, but we're desperatly trying to find definitive answers to the show's many mysteries - thus creating numerous fan theories.

The show itself forces viewers to take a look at the intrinsic human fascination with technology, the dark corners of the mind, and savage desires. Even though the series is strictly sci-fi, the narrative is based on real-world issues. As humans, we are dangerously close to creating tech that one day could turn against us, and we struggle trying to figure out the meaning of our existence by grasping on to what we believe is real.

In addition to making us question our own existence, we're also trying to figure out who the heck Arnold is, what's next for Dolores, if the Man In Black is going to free the imprisoned hosts, if there are two timelines, and if the "maze" is a tangible place or just exists within the brains of the hosts.

One of the most popular fan theories alludes to the fact that William and The Man In Black are the same person. William's story takes place in the past in which he eventually turns into the Man In Black, whose storyline is taking place in the present.

In Westworld Episode 5, Contrapasso we found additional proof that further debunks the "William and The Man In Black are the same person" theory. While other outlets are looking for more to prove the theory to be true, we've come up with 5 solid reasons why it's NOT true...

1. When The Man in Black rescues Teddy by saving him with freshly murdered Lawrence's blood, he discusses what the hosts used to be like when he first came to the park 30 some years ago, saying that now they are flesh and blood. When William arrives at the park, the hosts are flesh and blood and are NOT prototypes as they would have been 30 years prior.

2. William clearly cares for Dolores in his storyline, he cares so much that he leaves his brother-in-law Logan behind in Pariah to be maimed by angry hosts to instead run away with Dolores. If he cares that much for her, why would he later repeatedly torture and rape her as The Man In Black?

3. This was the first time we saw William "break bad" - which some people thought was a pre-curser to becoming inherently evil like the Man In Black. However, William was instigated heavily by Logan and only reacted to him by pushing him up against a wall. He did not change how he treated the rest of the hosts. He continues to treat the hosts like real people and with respect, unlike most visitors to the park.

4. In an earlier episode, Stubbs mentions how far Dolores has traveled from Sweetwater with William around the same time that he also approved the pyrotechnics request from the Man in Black. We believe that Stubbs is in fact a human and not a host.

5. Finally, in the latest promo for what's to come in the weeks ahead, we see Dolores comes face-to-face with the Man in Black, wearing the new cowboy clothes she had on while she was with William as opposed to the dainty blue dress she usually wears in her normal, boring little loop.

Remember we pointed out that Dolores changing her clothes was symbolic for her awakening into the "person" she is meant to be?

All of the above, of course, does not negate the fact that Westworld is not telling a linear story, which is common for both of the showrunners. There could be two different storylines, because we just can't seem to ignore the different logos.

However both showrunners Joy and Nolan have said that they leave details as ambigious as possible to keep viewers guessing, but also that every details will eventually make sense. They may be leading us to believe that William and the Man In Black are the same person, only to shock us with an unforseen twist that proves they are not.

Tonight's episode may lend some more hints to further prove or debunk this theory, or just add more layers to the mystery that is Westworld.

Episode #6: "The Adversary"

Maeve (Thandie Newton) charms Lutz (Leonardo Nam); Elsie (Shannon Woodward) uncovers possible sabotage; the Man in Black (Ed Harris) and Teddy (James Marsden) run afoul of a garrison.

MORE WESTWORLD: What We Know About Dolores So Far / Angela Sarafyan On Host Evolution / The Man In Black Is Going To Free The Hosts / Who Is Arnold / The Man In Black's Backstory Revealed / What Planet Is Westworld On / Logos May Reveal Two Seperate Timelines / Why You Should Watch Westworld