Category: High Castle

SGS: Fictional Fathers

Posted on June 21, 2020 by grasshopper in Geeky Sunday, High Castle

Today is Father’s Day in the US. This is your reminder to call your dads 😉

June 21st – Father Figures

As it’s Father’s Day today, we’re celebrating the father figures in our fandoms. The good, the bad and the downright bonkers ones.

Who is your favourite fictional dad?

This should come as no surprise to anyone. Can I get a drum roll, please?

John Smith from The Man in the High Castle.

He loved his children and was willing to do anything to protect them. He was active in their lives, and can I just mention a certain scene in Season 4 where I always burst out laughing?

Jennifer has a male friend over and puts on an “illegal” record. Loud music permeates through the apartment as the two start dancing. Her sister Amy runs out of her room, and the two girls start screaming at each other. The friend follows them into the hallway, and the front door opens to reveal Smith walking into the apartment in the midst of the chaos.

Who is your favourite evil dad?

John Smith. Yes, he is evil.

Who is your favourite father figure/mentor?

Captain Sisko from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

I have always thought of him as a father figure. The bond between him and his son Jake was strong and unique. Sisko was always there for him. He always had something intelligent to say when Jake had questions (the scene where Jake says the Bajoran religion is stupid comes to mind. Sisko explains why they worship the prophets so that he can understand where Bajorans coming from).

Who is your favourite unconventional father/mentor?

Haymitch – is a father figure (in a way) to Peeta and Katniss. He’s ill tempered and brash, but he cares about them and does what he can within that dystopian world to ensure at least one of them survives.

What is your favourite child/father scene?

The scene in High Castle Season 2 where Smith takes Thomas to the lake with intentions of euthanizing him (sickening, I know). Thomas starts talking about normal worries and woes of teenage life, and the camera zooms in on Smith. You can see him make the decision to protect his son with the sudden, determined intensity in his posture. He wants his son to experience those teenage problems, teenage love, and life itself.

What is your favourite quote from a fandom about fathers/by a father?

I don’t have a favorite quote, but I do have a favorite episode based around a son’s love for his father (and vise versa).

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Visitor

I confess that it honestly took me forever to watch this episode because I knew I’d become a basket case, overwhelmed with emotion. When I finally watched it, I was glad I did. I know I’ll need a tissue box if I explain it, so I’m linking wikipedia’s synopsis.

I just got teary eyed trying to find a good screencap!

SGS: Fictional Families

Posted on May 10, 2020 by grasshopper in Alfred Bester, Babylon 5, Geeky Sunday, High Castle

It’s time for another Seriously Geeky Sunday brought to you by the creative Heather at geeking-by.net! This week’s topic is fictional families, and in just case you need a reminder that it is Mother’s Day in the U.S., this is that reminder. 😉 Call your mothers!

10th – Families

Who is your Favourite fictional family?

Hands down, the Smiths from The Man in the High Castle. Need I say more? 😉

Who is your favourite fictional unconventional family?

It is a tie between the crew of Star Trek: TNG and of Star Trek: DS9. I love the dynamics between everyone. I often day dream that I am on the bridge of the Enterprise, a part of that family, eager to join them on away missions or am walking along the promenade of DS9 beside Sisko, laughing as we head to lunch.

Which off-screen/non-played family member would you like to learn more about?

Bester’s wife from Babylon 5.

We know next to nothing about her, and I want to know what she’s like, how she reacted to Bester turning one of his prisoners into his lover. I want to know if she is just as nervous around him as the other Psi Cops are (Lyta mentions how Bester makes even the hardcore Psi Cops on edge in one episode). I know the books shed more light on her before the events of the show, but I’ve never read them (full confession: I’d rather see her on screen).

Who is/are your favourite fictional grandparent/s?

Joseph Sisko (Captain Sisko’s father/Jake’s grandfather).

He reminds me of my dad sometimes. He cared deeply for his son and grandson. I’ve always loved and adored the family dynamic between the three. There is true love there and they’d do anything to protect each other. I can’t help but love the way Joseph is blunt and stubborn.

What extended fictional family/legacy is your favourite?

The Targaryens.

Daenerys’s ancestors were EPIC. It also helps that they rode fire breathing dragons and conquered the seven kingdoms. If you like Game of Thrones, give Fire & Blood a read. It is such a good book, and I already want to give it a second read. I can’t wait until the next volume comes out, and I’m more excited about the prospect of diving deeper into the Targaryens than I am for the Winds of Winter!

Take the main character from your last 5 shows/movies/games/books (etc.) and create a family with them.

This question made me realize how little I read these days, and I need to change that ASAP! We’ve been watching The Office for quite some time (Netflix is going to take it down soon), so that has consumed my television intake for March, April, and May. I’ve been watching a ton of YouTube tutorials lately, so I’m not going to include them. There’s just too many! 😉

The Man in the High Castle: Creating the Alt World
The Office
Joe Biden Town Hall
Pac-Man

Grandpa: Joe Biden
Mother: Helen Smith (High Castle)
Father: John Smith (High Castle)
Weird Uncle: Dwight Schrute (Office)
Daughter: Pam (Office)
Son: Ryan (Office)
Prodigal son: Pac-Man
Crazy cousin from Florida: Creed (Office)

SGS: Freedom of the Press

Posted on May 3, 2020 by grasshopper in Alfred Bester, Babylon 5, Geeky Sunday, High Castle, Psi Corps

If this week’s Seriously Geeky Sundays prompt has taught me anything about myself, it is that I don’t pay much attention to fictional news outlets in television, movies, and books! …But I sure as hell love making them up, especially ones that are obnoxious dystopian propaganda echo chambers. Wading through my various favorite fandoms, I came to realize that most of the fictional news that I wanted to feature in this post were ones I made up!

Sadly, most of them exist only in my head without any sort of eye catching graphics. However, here are some posters I made a while back!

3rd May – Freedom of the Press

What is your favourite fictional media outlet?

KVWN (Channel 4) from The Anchorman (2004 film). I can’t help but love a dose of humor!

Warning: strong language near the end

My second favorite fictional news network is INN from Babylon 5!

Who is your favourite fictional journalist?

Karen Page from Daredevil (and the Punisher), the TV shows. I love how she *has* to get to the bottom of things and solve cases and ends up doing the right thing. It also helps that I am a sucker for crazy, mystery solving adventures!

Who is your favourite fictional photographer?

Peter Parker from the 2002 Spider-Man film. Taking pictures of yourself as the masked hero of the day as you save your city from crime? It’s a win-win! I always found those scenes hilarious!

What is your favourite fictional interview?

Helen’s Smith’s sudden appearance on the fictional cooking show in The Man in the High Castle S4 episode, No Masters But Ourselves. If there ever was dystopian propaganda, it is that!

If you could interview any fictional character who would it be?

Alfred Bester from Babylon 5. I’ve always wanted to see things from his point of view. We got a glimpse of that in my favorite Babylon 5 episode ever, Corps is Mother Corps is Father. I’d like to know his thought process (lol!) and his reasons for everything. I’d also love to hear him tell a story about a time he arrested a blip!

Which character would you like to see given an absolute grilling live on TV and why?

John Smith from The Man in the High Castle–hear me out! I’d want to see him being grilled because I know he’d turn the tables with his calm cunning way of getting the upper hand, and to see that would be fascinating.

SGS: Creativity!

Posted on April 26, 2020 by grasshopper in Geeky Sunday, High Castle

Looking at Heather’s wonderful prompts, I just realized that April is almost over. Is it really the last Sunday of the month already!? How did that happen? Even with quarantine it feels like it just zipped by!

This week’s Seriously Geeky Sundays theme hits close to home, and I am super excited about it. As you all know, I’m an artist who loves to draw, paint, write, and sew!

26th April – Creativity

What does creativity in fandoms/geeky interests mean to you?

EVERYTHING. Just look at Club High Castle!

High Castle is the one fandom where I’ve felt like I’ve been allowed to flourish. The countless hours and dedication I’ve put into the things I’ve created has been appreciated by both fans and the cast and crew. I have never experienced anything like it, and it has genuinely made me happy over the years.

I’ve been in other fandoms where art and things just slipped by unnoticed–not that I’m seeking attention, but knowing that there are people out there who enjoy my work is an amazing feeling and a strong motivator to continue creating!

What is the most creative storyline you’ve come across?

Well…hmm…I don’t know…. 😉 *Looks around at blog* I am a grasshopper through and through!

Who is your favourite arty/creative character?

Frank Fink (High Castle), Pam (The Office), Data (Star Trek: TNG), Tora Ziyal (Star Trek: DS9), Loki (Marvel Movies) – Yes, he is creative, and I am putting him on this list! Just think of all the schemes he does and his artful mastery of magic!)

Who is your favourite quirky character?

I’ve thought about this one, and I have to say Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. She didn’t care what others thought and wore her quirkiness like a badge! I always love characters that think outside of the box. Box? What box?

Which fictional innovative invention do you wish existed in real life?

Replicators from Star Trek. It would solve so many problems and make life so much easier. Whatever you want to eat beamed onto a plate within seconds? Sign me right up! Oh, and let us not forget about the fact that to “do the dishes” all one needs to do is place their dirty dish into it and say, “recycle.”

What upcoming fandom are you most looking forward to?

I honestly don’t know. With High Castle finished and done, I don’t feel the urge to jump to another fandom so quickly. I am not ready to let go. Since quarantine, I haven’t been paying much attention to what’s coming out. I know that everyone is playing Animal Crossing, and that’s about it, ha ha!

SGS: Kings and Queens

Posted on April 19, 2020 by grasshopper in Geeky Sunday, High Castle

It’s Sunday! Time for another round of Seriously Geeky Sundays! Before I dive in, I probably never thought I’d ever utter these words, but I miss going into the office. I miss walking around on my lunch breaks (it is beautiful there!), and I miss the convenience of the lunch carts and coffee shops.

19th April – Kings & Queens

Who is your favourite female royal character?

I sat down and thought hard about this one because there are just so many that I’ve loved and looked up to throughout the years. I’ve narrowed it down, so I’ll start with the princess who I looked up to as a child.

Princess Leia – She was beautiful, smart, cunning, and fierce in her own way. What little girl wouldn’t want to be her? She was the definition of awesome.

Daenerys Targaryen – I have a tendency to like problematic characters, and Daenerys is no exception. She became a favorite during Season 7. I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I loved her character arc and how she descended into madness. I only wish that they had made Season 8 a full 10 episodes so that they could have delved more deeply into it.

Who is your favourite male royal character?

Thranduil – I enjoyed the shadowy veil of darkness in him; how he carried himself and evoked power without uttering a single word. He was the perfect mixture of dark and mysterious with a dash of kindness.

Who is your favourite royal couple?

Calanthe and Eist from the Witcher! They are the definition of a badass power couple who respects each other.

What is your favourite storyline involving a royal character?

I can’t decide! I’ll have to say that all of the arcs involving the characters I’ve mentioned so far. Their arcs are what make their characters interesting.

If you could live in any fictional royal residence, which one would it be?

Rivendell

Such is the virtue of the land of Rivendell that soon all fear and anxiety was lifted from their minds.
J.R.R. Tolkien

The main character of the last fandom you experienced just became King/Queen of their universe; how do they react?

None other than The Man in the High Castle’s John Smith. He essentially became a king, so I’d say it was his endgame and he’d lavish in it.