Beyond Westworld

Beyond Westworld, produced by CBS and aired in 1980, starred artists such as Jim McMullan, James Wainwright, and Connie Sellecca, presenting a short-lived but thrilling experience of Sci-Fi Western television.

The series is an attempt at continuing the narrative arc of the popular Westworld and Futureworld movies, which were the precursors in examining the implications of highly advanced humanoid robots in a fantasy world. The storyline loosely borrows from the film's narratives, extending the unpredictability and thrill associated with the theme park filled with technologically superior robot replicas.

Jim McMullan plays the role of Security Chief of Delos, John Moore, who has been assigned with a critical mission of tackling the rogue androids created by the off-track scientist Quaid, portrayed brilliantly by James Wainwright. Set in the lighter context of an amusement park, Quaid's creations are extremely sophisticated machines identical to human beings. Their intentions, however, are devious, infiltrating every sphere of the human community, from corporate power-players to domestic bliss and beyond. In his ambitious ploy for world domination, Quaid's androids are his main offense and defense against the security forces.

The enigmatic Delos employee Pamela Williams, portrayed by Connie Sellecca, partners with Moore to defeat Quaid and his plans. Her charm, intellectual prowess, and quick thinking add another dimension to the series' action-packed theme, adding dashes of mystery, intelligence, and female strength.

Beyond Westworld distinguishes itself from its cinematic ancestors with its focus on battling the android menace outside the theme park's controlled boundaries. Deploying episodic storylines, each episode brings a new adventure for John Moore and Pamela Williams as they uncover and disarm Quaid's androids hidden within the human societal fabric. From political rallies to nuclear submarines to Paula's past connections, the stakes are high, and the suspense and intrigue never let up.

The show maintains its affiliations with the realm of spacious Western landscapes sometimes, but primarily it ventures into more diverse settings such as suburban homes, corporate spaces, nuclear submarines, and more. As a result, Beyond Westworld jumps beyond conventional geographic and narrative boundaries associated with Wild West themes, presenting a far-reaching sinister plot set against the juxtaposition of ordinary human life and the relentless march of technology.

Beyond Westworld reflects the paranoia and fascination of its era arm-in-arm with the spectacular promise of technology. The quintessential theme of rogue AI and humanity's struggle with their own creations resonates with the audience, a concern that is as relevant now as it was in 1980. The show manages to create an intense atmosphere of suspense and surprise as viewers can never be sure who might be one of Quaid's impostors.

The show employs ambitious storytelling, well-devised characters, and impressive visual effects for its time. Jim McMullan, as John Moore, showcases persuading leadership and relentless determination alongside a nuanced portrayal of a man persistently facing an unknown enemy. James Wainwright breathes life into the sinistrous character of Quaid, making his mastermind ploys hit hard.

Nevertheless, the show was relatively short-lived, with only five episodes being produced and three being aired before its cancellation. Although the series could not maintain the heady success of its movie counterparts nor did it span over a long period, Beyond Westworld is a notable chapter in early science fiction television. It presented a unique fusion of Western and Science Fiction genres, narrating an exciting tale of advanced technology, hidden threats, and the timeless human courage to face such adversities.

Overall, Beyond Westworld is a television series that added its own unique twists to the Westworld franchise, venturing into new territories and posing fresh questions about the boundaries of technology and human resilience. Despite its premature conclusion, the series provided compelling and thought-provoking entertainment for its audience, marking its own place in the realm of early television Sci-fi.