“The Kiksuya” episode of HBO’s Westworld is a remarkable example of character-driven storytelling that delves into Akecheta’s backstory, adding depth and coherence to the overall narrative. This episode stands out as it fills in the gaps, offers a dignified portrayal of the indigenous community, and explores Native American culture and oral storytelling traditions. Westworld has always aimed to explore profound concepts such as consciousness and free will, but it sometimes felt detached from human emotions. However, “Kiksuya” demonstrates that the show is at its best when focusing on its characters.
In this episode, Akecheta takes Maeve’s daughter under his protection and shares his origin story and journey towards consciousness. Akecheta was once part of a harmonious native tribe, deeply in love with Kohana. His path changed when he discovered the aftermath of Dolores’ massacre and found a wooden tablet with a maze symbol. This symbol captivated him, eventually leading to his reprogramming as a fighting member of the Ghost Nation. Despite his new life, he never felt at home and encountered Logan, who spoke of another world. This sparked Akecheta’s journey to uncover the truth and led him to the discovery of “The Valley Beyond.” Along the way, he reconnects with Kohana but loses her once again. Akecheta’s awakening occurs when he dies and finds Kohana lifeless in the lab. This tragedy makes him realize the loss suffered by others.
Akecheta’s journey takes a pivotal turn when he meets his creator, Dr. Robert Ford. Their encounter is powerful, and it signifies Akecheta’s newfound purpose. Unlike other hosts guided towards sentience, Akecheta achieved it on his own. Ford approves of Akecheta leading his people to freedom and embracing their existence.
“Kiksuya” may not answer all the questions raised in Westworld, but it provides contextual information and resolves narrative gaps in a satisfying manner. For instance, the episode explains what happened to Logan after William left him stranded in the desert. Furthermore, it reveals Akecheta’s connection to the maze symbol, which had intrigued viewers since the first season. The episode also pays homage to Native American culture, casting actual Native Americans and incorporating their language into the Ghost Nation tribe. The title, “Kiksuya,” translates to “remember” and underscores the importance of oral storytelling in preserving culture.
Overall, “Kiksuya” showcases the power of character-driven storytelling, adds depth to the Westworld narrative, and respectfully explores Native American culture. It highlights the show’s success when focusing on characters and offers satisfying resolutions to narrative gaps, while also considering important themes such as consciousness and identity.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
