What Actually Happened in the Westworld Season One Finale, and What We Want From Season Two

7. Why Was the Man in Black Such a Jerk?

. . . and thus the Man in Black is truly born. See, William was convinced that Dolores was searching for something deeper in the game, something with real meaning. As a man who’s constantly on the search for meaning, William believed that Dolores might lead him down the path to something worthwhile. When he found Dolores reset, he felt like a fool, like he’d been taken in by the park. Being thoroughly duped inspired, but confounded William. It was a sensation he’d spend the next thirty years chasing like an addict. It was also the reason that he engineered a takeover of the park through his company, the Delos Corporation. His final trip to the park, he was finally running down the ultimate thrill, a game in which the stakes were real. He thought that part of the game might be found at the end of the maze. Thanks to Ford’s big plan, William ultimately got his wish for a life and death experience in the park, since he’s among the high-ranking Delos officials mingling at the focal point of the hosts’ rebellion.