Tag: the man in the high castle

TMITHC’s Finale is an Gripping Tale of Human Nature

Posted on by in High Castle

“Truth, she thought. As terrible as death. But harder to find.”
― Philip K. Dick, The Man in the High Castle

Season 4 far exceeded my expectations, and by exceeded, I mean jumped onto a rocket and left me behind in the dust to gawk at the beautiful complexity of it. The cast and crew weren’t kidding when they said it is the best season yet.

I got a shout-out during the Facebook live stream when they discussed S4. ❤ You can watch the full video here.

If you  haven’t finished the finale, go no further. There are spoilers ahead.

The season exposed humanity at its best and worst. We saw the very best in Childan, the Crown Princess, and Admiral Inokuchi. Despite the odds, they gave everything for the greater good. Childan threw away the rare antiques and treasures that were integral to his greedy character to be with his wife and ensure her safety. The Crown Princess saw the need to give the Pacific States back, and. Inokuchi was willing to die for her.

Characters like Chief Inspector Kido and Helen were forced to face their life decisions face on. The way it all unfolded for them had me at the edge of my seat. Everything was beautifully executed and woven into the story–I enjoyed watching those two unravel into despair and suffer the repercussions of their actions and then to try to do the right thing. It was so wonderfully written in that it didn’t feel like the audience was being beaten over the head with it.

Smith was humanity at its worst. Talking about him and how his story came to a close will be a post of its own. Alt-Smith explained it best when he told Juliana why he didn’t pursue a career in the military–he saw how easily power corrupted him. I was worried that they’d give him a cliche redemption RAWR ‘MURICA arc, and am beyond happy that they didn’t.

His thirst for power and the twisted being he had allowed himself to become was his undoing.

The BCR

I was skeptical that they added an entirely new set of characters, but it turned out that I was worried over nothing. The addition of the BCR helped make this season the best. The BCR characters were fully fleshed out, each with his or her own opinions and underlying (deep) reasons for the things they do. The story wouldn’t have been the same without them. Bell and her crew were a great addition to the TMITHC universe!

A Solid 5 Stars

As I said at the beginning of this review, S4 far exceeded my expectations. I was honestly afraid that S4 would derail into yet-another-RAWR ‘MURICA-freedom-saves-the-day ending that I’ve seen so many other shows and movies fall into. You have no idea how glad I am that it did not.

Just finished S4: E8. I feel the need to expand my vocabulary, because nothing I say will bring the intriguing story that is unfolding in this episode justice. I am honestly at a loss for words because everything about this season has far exceeded my expectations! #HighCastle

— Ms. Luna (@MishiWan) November 22, 2019

TMITHC finale was bittersweet perfection that exposed humanity at its rawest form. I give it a solid 5 stars and a 11/10!

Stay tuned for future posts where I dive into Smith’s character and talk about the little details like their spoof of The Twilight Zone!

Fan Castle Sunday: The Beginning of the End

Posted on by in #FanCastleSunday, High Castle

The Beginning of the End

It’s been an amazing journey

The finale to Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle is just 5 days away. Yes, I am emotional, and yes, there may have been a tear or two while typing this post up. As everyone knows, this show has been a huge part of my life since the beginning. I just want to say that it has been an amazing journey of friendship, art, and blossoming into a better me.

I remember the cold, snowy day in February when they announced that Season 4 will be the finale. Part of me was shocked and saddened, but the other part was thankful that TMITHC wouldn’t go the prolonged, dragged out route that so many shows in the past have gone. To be honest, I am glad they aren’t going to grind the show into the ground like that–It’s a bittersweet feeling. 

I just want to say thank you to everyone I’ve met on this journey. I’ll cherish the memories TMITHC has given me forever.

<3

With Season 4 airing on the 15th, there will be no #FanCastleSunday next week or the week after to give everyone a chance to catch up (and avoid spoilers!).

#FanCastleSunday will resume Sunday, December 1st

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What are your #HighCastle S4 predictions? When #FanCastleSunday resumes December 1st, we’ll see if anyone got close!

Fan Castle Sunday: Notes to the Cast and Crew!

Posted on by in #FanCastleSunday, High Castle

Welcome to another #FanCastleSunday!

With Season 4 approaching faster than a train with rockets, I wanted to do something a little different. It’s time to let the cast & crew of The Man in the High Castle know how much we appreciate them! I created a form to allow everyone to leave a note, anonymously or with their Twitter handle.

I must confess that I got a bit teary eyed when I went through the responses last night. This truly is an amazing fandom, and I am happy to be a part of it.

Fan Castle Sunday: Interview with Elise!

Posted on by in #FanCastleSunday, High Castle

Welcome to another #FanCastleSunday!

….She is famous for her amazing gifs, and I’ve enjoyed seeing her posts throughout the years, so please give a warm welcome to the one and only ☆ Elise!

I am right there with her on how this wonderful fandom has allowed her to blossom. Because of the friendliness of  High Castle fans (and cast & crew!), I’ve been able to break out of my incredibly shy self. I will be forever grateful for that. ❤

@_spookyblake (☆ elise.)

Tell the world a little bit about yourself!

my name is elise. 25 years. i live in france. i hold a tumblr: @joexjuliana.

What drew you to Amazon’s the Man in the High Castle?

i watched the pilot in july 2015 and i was immediately seduced by the idea of “what if?” i quickly became attached to the character of Joe and Juliana (and the others of course, but it’s two there first).

At what point were you hooked? 

this is the first series that gives me this effect. i have never been so addictive to anything else. I love EVERYTHING. the characters, the atmosphere, the story. ALL. that’s why i decided to create a blog on tumblr. i needed to share and exchange about this show. 

Speaking of special, the TMITHC fandom is the best fandom I have ever been blessed to be a part of. The absolute kindness and friendliness I experience on Twitter keeps me coming back and is why I keep drawing and creating the things that I do! What is your favorite thing about being a part of this fandom?

it’s so true. it’s the best fandom in the world. no ridiculous war of ship. everyone respects everyone. it’s very rare. and thanks to this fandom, i was able to blossom and open myself.

What is the inspiration for the amazing gifs you make?

very good question. and to be honest, i don’t know. I just love to make gifs and exchange with the fandom. it’s the first time in my life that i feel like I belong to something. that i am useful. so i think my motivation has to come from there. EXCHANGE WITH OTHERS. and give something to others.

The creative minds behind TMITHC are talented artists who never cease to amaze me with the sets/scenery, soundtracks, and costumes. What is your favorite set?

I really like the tagomi office. very well decorated. the new smiths apartment in the s3 and the old house of jules and frank.

How did you feel when they announced that Season 4 will be the final season?

i knew this fatal day would come. i was extremely sad. i mean, the man in the high castle has been in my life for 4 years. thanks to this show i was able to meet incredible people/actors. it’s going to be horrible to say goodbye for good…

Name one thing you’d like to see happen in S4.

i would love to see joe and frank again. with parallel universes, i know it’s possible. see them help juliana in her quest. please, give me one last time a HAPPY joe. he suffered too much.

Favorites

Male Character
Joe Blake, John Smith & Takeshi Kido
Female Character
Juliana Crain & Helen Smith
Costume
Joe leather jacket, Juliana plaid skirt
Episode
Season1: 1×10. Season2: 2×05. Season 3: 3×09.
Storyline
thomas’s disease and the mission to canon city.

As a huge thank you for allowing me to interview you, Elise, here is your very own Club High Castle membership card!

And just for the record, I love Juliana’s plaid skirt too. I have a similar one and feel like I am her when I wear it! 

Fan Castle Sunday: Interview with Diana Jensen Cramer!

Posted on by in #FanCastleSunday, High Castle

Greetings, Grasshoppers!

Welcome to another fun filled #FanCastleSunday! Today’s theme is what would you do in their shoes? As a bonus, I wrote a little High Castle what if!

In Their Shoes 

A short fanfic is the perfect tribute for today’s interview with @TheTrueDJC who loves to write fanfiction! 

It’s Interview Time!

@TheTrueDJC
Diana Jensen Cramer

Tell the world a little bit about yourself!

MitHC fan (obvs.), and beginning writer; also love photography and cooking!

What drew you to Amazon’s the Man in the High Castle?

The concept of an alternate history was intriguing (and a little frightening).  Then, too, I’d become a fan of Rufus Sewell – he’s really an amazing actor – and I wanted to see what he would do in this role.

At what point were you hooked? 

Is there a specific scene or episode where you realized that TMITHC was something special?
What really hooked me and realize how special the show was was the early scenes in the JPS, particularly the first scene with Juliana doing martial arts and then the scenes with Tagomi.  My husband spent some time in the Far East, and shared some of that aesthetic with me, and it struck me at how the show really seemed to capture the Japanese-ness in the characters and how it was influencing San Francisco.  Kind of like twisted Zen… 

Speaking of special, the TMITHC fandom is the best fandom I have ever been blessed to be a part of. The absolute kindness and friendliness I experience on Twitter keeps me coming back and is why I keep drawing and creating the things that I do! What is your favorite thing about being a part of this fandom?

The scope for knowledge and imagination!  And bouncing ideas back and forth about what our favorites are doing.
I can’t draw, but I do write fanfic, and figuring out the motivations of the characters, as well as navigating their world so similar-but-different  to our own past – it’s the best thing!

It has been so much fun talking to you throughout the years. You always have something insightful to say about the show. I always look forward to your comments. How has the show influenced you in “real life?” 

I’ve gotten to know interesting people through the fandom, and they are personal connections in a lot of cases, as well as “fangirling.” 
The show has actually inspired me to be more aware and active regarding the world around me.   The show itself is so clearly anti-fascist; anyone who doesn’t get that isn’t paying attention! But I also follow some of the actors and the production folks, and these are people passionate about society as well as their craft.  They inspire me to speak up!  

The creative minds behind TMITHC are talented artists who never cease to amaze me with the sets/scenery, soundtracks, and costumes. What is your favorite set?

Is it Smith’s two story house from S1 & S2? Is the Nippon building in San Francisco? Something in the Neutral Zone?
Any of the street scenes!  Those have always impressed me – again, that weird little mindfuck between the world we know through Life photographs, and the world that develops differently under fascism.
And Drew Boughton’s design of the  apartment in S3 is just amazing… 

How did you feel when they announced that Season 4 will be the final season?

Devastated!  

Name one thing you’d like to see happen in S4.

I’m a *total* sucker for John&Helen, so I would love for them to get together again, destroy the system that destroyed their son! 
Not saying that will happen, but that is my total pollyanna wish!

Let’s end this on a positive note–I mean, what are we all going to do when it’s over? 😉

I think we are all gonna be amazed… we’ll be catching our breath and maybe wiping away some tears.  But I think we will be grateful, and I think we will feel like even if it’s hard, there’s still hope for good to triumph in at least some small way.  

Favorites

Male Character
Oo, hard.  Fave character – Tagomi; Best actor/character – John Smith
Female Character
Helen.
Costume
Anything John is wearing, but more specifically, that SS uniform and leather coat…
Episode
Three Monkeys. The normalcy of it is chilling…
Storyline
Helen’s S3 realization that the Reich is not good for children and other living things.
Your official Club High Castle membership card, Diana!