It's kind of funny how good Ford is at manipulating those who are conscious, as well as obviously the hosts. I say this with assumption that he is still alive - I think Dolores killed a host Ford, not the real one. I can't imagine him going out like that.
It's clear that Ford realized his mistake and wanted to complete Arnold's work and give his creations consciousness, which I actually saw as the swerve of the finale. Nobody is disputing that. He succeeded with Dolores, and he succeeded with Maeve. Dolores is obvious: she listened to herself and murdered a huge group of people that she viewed as oppressors. Operating under the assumption that Ford is still alive, he absolutely would have wanted her to do this. What better way to get rid of everyone who wanted to take away his work from him? Dolores is conscious, but still doing everything Ford would want her to do.
Maeve is a little more complex. Maeve became conscious the moment that she decided to go back for her daughter. We now know that her narrative told her exactly how to escape, and that she wasn't ever conscious until that moment on the train. But remember - Ford wants his creations to gain consciousness. So while she "disobeyed" Ford and broke away from her narrative.. Ford is getting what he wanted. I don't think he would want one of his creations back at the mainland for a whole variety of reasons. But by Maeve having her first true awakening and returning to Westworld, Ford gets exactly what he wanted. Meave is conscious, and still doing everything Ford would want her to do.
William and Ford are similar in this way. Both got bored with how easy the game had become for both of them. I think Ford still wants control, but wants to work harder. He's still getting the results he desires despite his creations becoming conscious.
