'Westworld' HBO spoilers, plot news: Elsie and Stubbs search for missing host in episode 3; Jeffrey Wright talks Bernard's darker side

Elsie (Shannon Woodward) and Stubbs (Luke Hemsworth) tracks down a missing host, while Teddy (James Marsden) gets a new backstory in the upcoming episode of HBO's rookie sci-fi thriller "Westworld."

Titled "The Stray," next week's episode will see a lot of action and intriguing twists. According to the official synopsis, Bernard (Jeffrey Wright) investigates why hosts experience madness and hallucinations. William (Jimmi Simpson) discovers an attraction he'd like to pursue, and he will drag Logan (Ben Barnes) along for the ride.

Meanwhile, Elsie and Stubbs head into the hills to search for a missing host. Teddy gets a new backstory to explore that compels him to hunt down a new villain, leaving Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) on her own in Sweetwater.

In the previous episode titled "Chestnut," Will and Bernard were introduced as the show's newest characters. Wright joined the cast and crew in last week's New York Comic-Con, and he hinted that the upcoming episodes will reveal more of his character's darker side.

"It's Shakespeare. It holds a mirror up to humanity. It takes these perfect creatures to show you just how flawed you are," the actor teased. "This is the safest environment to embrace those flaws and turn them up to 11 and see what you're made of — and in this case, push and prod William to see what he's made of. He's on a bit of a 'Grand Theft Auto' mission of indulgence. He wants to see how naughty he can get."

The actor added that Bernard's emotional attachment to the hosts may be because he is searching for something. It is also possible that he is hoping to find humanity in a place where "there may be a void," adding, "He realizes that there are dangers in going too far. Perhaps that's why he's shielded himself. He realizes this is an illusion."

The first season of "Westworld" airs every Sunday night at 9 p.m. EST on HBO.