Tag: high castle

Review: PKD’s Unfinished Sequel to TMITHC

Posted on by in High Castle
PKD's Unfinished Sequel

I finally had a chance to read the two mysterious chapters of a scrubbed sequel to PKD’s The Man in the High Castle. I finished them a few days weeks ago, but their mark has yet to fade from the recesses of my mind. While I understand why he never finished it, I wish there was more. 

The chapters were accompanied by an essay and a fictional blurb about Hawthorn Abendsen.

Table of Contents

Naziism and The High Castle (1964) is an eye opener into the mind of PKD. He asks pointed questions about human nature and discusses Nationalism—no one is immune from falling into it. The essay reminds me of a quote ages ago when Season 2 of High Castle had just aired:

I think we have is to humanize Nazis. If you indulge the fantasy that they were not human, then nothing is learned. This is human beings that did this. It is only humans that are capable of inhumanity.

Rufus Sewell on portraying his character, John Smith (2016). 

Reading it (and the subsequent chapters) made certain aspects of the show much more clear to me. I wish I could properly put into words how it has effected me, but I can’t seem to figure it out. 

The chapters are well worth a read to anyone who is interested and is a fan of TMITHC.

Mild Spoilers Ahead!

Unlike the novel, which focuses on the Pacific States and Neutral Zone, the chapters follow Hermann Göring and Rudolph Wegener (Rudy!). 

Göring’s chapter introduces us to the Die Nebenwelt. He is skeptical of it, disinclined to believe anything—anything can be forged, right? It was interesting to follow it from his perspective, as vile as it may be. He’s not the obsessed psychopath Himmler was in the show; they (and he) took a more cautious approach to everything.  

Rudy’s chapter involves him being taken to Heydrich who sort of strong-arms him to get close to Die Nebenwelt and spy for him (I have no doubt in my mind that the scene where Heydrich sends him to assassinate Hitler came from this chapter). 

As I said before, I wish there were more!

5/5 Stars

24 Days of Art

Posted on by in Alice, Babylon 5, News, Psi Corps
Congrats on Another Successful Orbit of the Sun, Earth!

Join me in congratulating Earth for making another successful orbit around the sun. Good job, Earth!

I made up my own challenge and decided to do 24 days of art last month. The goal: draw/paint something or work on an unfinished piece for the first 24 days of December, and I am happy to report that I DID IT! If you remember my post in May when I lamented over the fact that I wasn’t as prolific as I used to be, 24 days of art helped me overcome that difficulty.

With out further adieu, here is the result of December’s challenge.

Join the Resistance!

Posted on by in Grasshopper Nation, High Castle

It is finally here, and I am thrilled to own one of the Man in the High Castle promo packages from 2017 at long last!

Resistance Radio Promo from 2017
Resistance Radio Promo: Inside the paper record player

I remember when everyone was posting their photos of it on Twitter, and though I knew there was a 0% chance that I’d be surprised by one in the mail, I still checked every single day in hopes of mysteriously finding one inside my mailbox. In my, oh so fan, defense, they had my mailing address already. I won a signed promo poster for Season 2.

I’ve mentioned how much I wanted one before (and let’s just say how much = A. LOT. A hell of a lot.), and I still cannot believe I was able to get my hands on one. Yes, I really have longed for one over the past four years. 

I’m still blown away by the creativity behind it. It was such a clever way to slip Resistance Radio inside a fictitious GNR songbook, immersing you into the world of Philip K. Dick. It honestly feels like a traveler from their universe brought it to ours!

Let’s dive into the closeups
  • Record sleeve: On the surface it looks like it’s GNR propaganda…
  • Back of the record sleeve
  • Promo Package Record: Side A
    The Resistance slipped something inside!
  • Promo Package Record: Side B
    Yes, this is a real, playable 45.
  • The paper record player and needle
  • Back of the paper record player
  • Resistance Radio Promo from 2017
    Resistance Radio Promo: Inside the paper record player

Mine did not come with the fold-able leaflet with the convention details on it or the original box (you’ll see photos of them in the link below). I haven’t used the paper record player (I am terrified of damaging the record with the needle, ha ha!). I am looking at used record players as I write this.

As I poked around the Internet, reminiscing, I stumbled about on great blog post by Christy Dena. She gives a full (and detailed!) account of receiving hers, trying to play the record, and finding references to Resistance Radio in season 2. 

2020 Grasshopper Awards

Posted on by in Grasshopper Nation, News

I decided to do something fun to celebrate the end of the year. Despite the train wreck that has been 2020, there were a few good things to come out of it, and so I wanted to host my own award show–blog post! 

I will add more categories in 2021. If there is a category you’d like to see, let me know! This is the first of hopefully many.

Welcome to the Inaugural Grasshopper Awards!

Best Discovery – Awarded to a show, blog, podcast, or other media that I came upon and enjoyed.

Best Book – Awarded to my favorite read of the year.

Best Vintage Find – Because of High Castle, I am a huge fan of things from the 40s and 50s. This award goes out to my favorite vintage find of the year.

Best Wardrobe Find – Awarded to a company or person that exceeded expectations, including being budget friendly.

Best Discovery

I am forever grateful to @Mr_Picard on Twitter for spreading the word about this one. The moment I saw that these two gents were dedicated to talking about WWII through film (they just wrapped up 1939!), I was hooked.  

Best Discovery of 2020 goes out to Dan and Simon from FOXHOLE COMPANION! 

Thank you for hours of entertainment! Here’s to 20201!

Best Book

There are a lot of angles to consider for this category. Books are highly subjective, and I didn’t read as much as I do in normal years. I am an avid fan of picking up books at airports. You find some gems hidden among the key chains, snacks, and toiletries. I picked up one airport book days before this started, yes, days. I have yet to crack that one open. Shame on me, I know. Here’s to reading it in 2021!

I decided to give this award to the book I’ve read multiple times this year (I mean, that in itself tells you how much I liked it!). It is not an airport gem, but one I pre-ordered two days before its release in the spur of the moment. I am glad I gave in to my rashness, for the winner of Best Book is The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Thank you, Suzanne Collins! This book got me through this insane year. 

Best Vintage Find

I have a tiny collection of antiques I’ve acquired since being captivated by the best show ever made. I’ll give you one guess as to which show that is ;).

I discovered a new way to acquire beautiful things. I am decades late to the Ebay party, but here I am. Through it, I’ve snagged some amazing props from High Castle that I will forever cherish. If you follow me on Instagram and Twitter, you know all about Club High Castle.

The winner of Best Vintage Find technically isn’t vintage, but I’m counting it regardless. Props count. And choosing a winner was difficult, but in the end, I chose The Man In the High Castle: SDCC promo Premiere Ticket.

  • High Castle SDCC Front
  • High Castle SDCC Back

I got it for a great price (I could not pass it up), and I continue to be captivated by it. It really makes one feel like they are about to enter another world. I love the creative lengths the promo team went to make it look vintage. 

Best Wardrobe Find

This goes out to a talented shop on Esty. They make custom vintage style dresses in a multitude of colors and styles. I ordered one this year, and they found the exact color I wanted, not to mention that their pricing is great for the quality, custom fitted dress you get in return!

Best Wardrobe Find goes to heartmycloset!

Pictures don’t do it justice

That’s a wrap! Thank you for joining me! Remember, If you want to see a new category for next year, please let me know!

Seriously Secret Santa

Posted on by in Geeky Sunday, High Castle

Today’s post is part of a Seriously Geeky Sundays secret Santa prompt exchange where we came up with 6 questions tailored to the person we got. Here are the questions I received; let’s dive right in!

1. Which fictional character’s wardrobe are you raiding for the Christmas party (just pretend we can have parties this year, haha!)?

It will always be the fabulous Helen Smith from The Man in the High Castle…in normal years, that is! I have been slowly adapting my wardrobe to be similar to hers since 2016. I would wear this beautiful red dress from Season 1. It is the perfect Christmas party dress!

2. Spending Christmas away from home can be fun, but what about really far away? Pick a fictional location in outer space (a planet, space ship, space station etc) to spend Christmas Day.

Deep Space Nine.

Just think of all the shenanigans I’d get up to with Dax, Kira, Quark, and Bashir! And of course Weyoun and Dukat would crash the party. Weyoun would be fascinated by the Christmas treats and gifts, and I can see Sisko dressing as Santa to give everyone presents (he would make an awesome Santa Claus). Dukat would pull some crazy stunt, forcing everyone into a hilarious adventure in order to restore things back to normal. 

3. Sometimes it is nice to put your feet up and not worry about cooking. But which fictional character would you choose to cook Christmas dinner for you and would you invite them to your dinner after they have cooked it?

Captain Sisko and Helen Smith would be my cooking duo. They are happy to be invited to my Deep Space Nine Holiday Special. After Sisko prepares his dishes, he sneaks away to change into his Santa costume as Helen covers for him. She is in on the surprise and heads to the Christmas bar to grab a glass of sparkling cider from Quark. He tries to charge her for it, but Dax slaps him on the head. Helen smiles and takes her drink.

4. Are there any Christmas films you watch every year and do you have a favourite?

I’m afraid there aren’t any I watch every year as an adult. When I was a kid, it was Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I looked forward to visiting my dad every December and sitting in front of the TV to watch it year after year. 

5. You’ve been bombarded with invites to New Year’s Eve parties by lots of different alien races. Which alien race will you choose to spend New Year’s with?

The Vorta (and Jem’Hadar) — The Founders instruct the Vorta to learn more about the Federation and its holidays, so they decide to throw an NYE bash, but they need my help. They have no idea how to plan it or what to do. 

I invite them to Deep Space Nine, and laugh as their large, lavender eyes widen in that unique curiosity only the Vorta display. They tilt their heads as I show them the party decorations.

“It’s so shiny,” Weyoun says as he picks up a streamer. Keeven lifts up a glittery Happy New Year crown and promptly puts it on. He smirks. 

6. You’ve been commissioned to design a set of Christmas cards for a fandom. Which fandom do you hope has commissioned you and what design ideas do you have?

The Man in the High Castle (to be commissioned something for them is one of my DREAMS). I made some cards set in their world: