Robert Ford

"I have come to think of so much of consciousnesses, a burden, a wait, and we have spared them that. Anxiety, self-loathing, guilt. The host are the ones who are free. Free, here, under my control!"

- Ford reveals his true intention to Theresa Cullen.

Dr. Robert Ford is the main antagonist in the first season of Westworld.

Initially portrayed as a brilliant but caring inventor, he is eventually revealed as a cruel monster destroying everything that threatens his ideas for a perfect Westworld. Together with his partner Arnold, Ford created the theme park Westworld, where rich guests are able to live like in the wild west, among androids, called Hosts, which act like the inhabitants of the created world.

Ford is portrayed by Sir Anthony Hopkins, who also portrayed Hannibal Lecter.

Attacked by the board
When investigating Host anormalies in Westworld, Bernard finds an unmapped cottage. In the cottage, Bernard encounters a family of Hosts, the father attacks the intruder immediately. Although Bernard orders the Host to shut down, the Host keeps attacking and only stops when Ford arrives and personally gives the order. Ford tells the shocked Bernard that these Hosts are first generation hosts and that they only listen to Ford's command. Bernard is uncomfortable with this and leaves.

To remove Ford from control, the company board orders Theresa Cullen to hack some of the Hosts. When this problem is 'revealed' and evidenced on Host Clementine, manipulative board member Charlotte Hale blames Bernard for it, hoping that he in turn would reveal critical information on Ford to save himself. However, Bernard remains quiet, even when Hale fires him. Noticing this, Ford smiles secretly.

Villainy revealed
"Arnold and I designed every part of this place, it was our dream. Do you really think I would let you take it from me?"

- Ford to Theresa

After he has been fired, Bernard approaches Theresa, telling her that he found something important. Bernard brings Theresa into Westworld, to the cottage Bernard found earlier. Intending to show her the Hosts Ford kept secret, Bernard is surprised to find that they are gone. However, Theresa finds a door to the basement although Bernard seemingly cannot see it. Down there, the two find a machine creating Hosts and both realize that Ford has been creating Hosts on his own all the time. Theresa finds blueprints for Hosts, including one resembling Bernard. Ford then appears behind the two, revealing to Theresa that Bernard is a Host and has been programmed not to see something that can hurt his mental psyche or feelings, including the door and the blueprints - both leading to the revelation of Bernard's true identity. Theresa is shocked, asking Ford whether he ordered Bernard to start a relationship with her. Ford denies it, claiming that the relationship was, after all, her idea.

Meanwhile, Bernard has to cope with the fact that he is a Host. He starts panicking until Ford orders him to stop, causing Bernard to lose all emotions immediately. Ford tells Theresa that the Hosts do not have feelings like guilt, anxiety or self-loathing and are thus more free than humans, albeit 'free under Ford's control'. Theresa claims that Bernard is not under his control as he led Theresa to the cottage to show her the androids, but Ford reveals to her that he had ordered Bernard to bring Theresa down here. Theresa then furiously tells Ford that his time running his "insane, little kingdom" are over, as the board will take him down. Ford is amused, claiming that the board will do nothing as their arrangement is too important for them. Ford claims that the board seems to be testing him now and then by sending obstacles, this time Theresa.

Smiling cuelly, Ford then tells Theresa that there needs to be a blood sacrifice in order to restore things. Theresa grabs her phone in order to call for help but realizes that she is offline. Ford then approaches her, reminding her that he built "all of this". Ford then turns to leave, ordering Bernard to eliminate Theresa. Bernard immediately beats Theresa to death while Ford gazes at the Host machine. After Theresa's death, Ford claims that they have a great deal of work to do on the new storylines, and the two leave the basement.

Covering up
"I need you to clean up your mess, Bernard, any connection that ties us to Theresa's untimely demise. When you have finished, I will give you the one thing you want most right now. I will free you from those memories of what you have done and the memory of your relationship with Theresa. Recalling it would only deepen your grief and potentially draw unwanted attention. Best to move forward with clear eyes."

- Ford orders Bernard to cover their tracks

Immediately afterwards, Bernard breaks down, realizing what he has done. Ford comforts him, telling Bernard that he should be proud of the emotions he is feeling. Ford tells Bernard that he forced him to kill Theresa because she and the board would have destroyed the Westworld Ford tried to preserve. Outraged, Bernard jumps up and screams that he will destroy Ford and his creation for what Ford has done but Ford orders Bernard to freeze, telling him that once, Arnold felt the same way and was eliminated for it. Ford then deactivates Bernards emotions, causing Bernard to turn back to normal. Ford then orders Bernard to clean up the mess and to destroy every evidence connecting him and Ford to the death of Theresa. In return, Ford promises Bernard that he will erase every memory Bernard has of Theresa, allowing him to move forward without feeling guilt.

Theresa's body is later found in the park by security personnel. Ford and Charlotte Hale are informed. Stubbs tells them that Theresa presumably tripped and fell into a ravine. After he is told, Ford calls the incident a "disappointing end to her story", starting Charlotte to grow suspicious. When she indirectly voices her suspicions, Ford mentions that he knows that Theresa was responsible for the problems with Clementine. Ford suggests that technician access is to hosts be limited until a more principled team can be found, to prevent further manipulations. Ford also reinstates Bernard as head of Behaviour, given that it is now revealed that Theresa was responsible.

After Bernard has succeeded with covering up the tracks, Ford calls him back. True to his word, Ford is about to take Bernards memory of Theresa. Furthermore, Bernard has come to terms with being an android and the two openly talk about Bernard's condition and backstory. When Bernards asks what makes the difference between Ford and Bernard, Ford claims that this was the question that drove his old friend Arnold. Ford tells Bernard that there is no real difference. Ford then grabs a nearby tablet, intending to remove Bernard's memories of Theresa. Before he can do so, Bernard asks whether Ford has forced him to harm anyone before which Ford denies. However, Bernard has a flashback of himself strangling Elsie, a co-worker that investigated Theresa, suspecting her of the manipulation of Hosts. Before anything else can happen, Ford erases Bernard's memory.

Trivia

 * Though other employees need touchscreens or Voice Command's to make the hosts shut down or perform another action, Ford can control all of the hosts in the park — even animal robots — with a mere flick of his finger.