With Smith in particular, the drama contrasts this more ‘human’ side of him with the more sadistic and psychopathic elements of the Reich. We see them struggle with the weight of their deeds (it is hinted that Smith goes away for whole days of seclusion on his boat, in a bid to try and cope mentally with the past atrocities he has committed). They feel guilt, remorse, shame and self-doubt. It is also increasingly obvious that Smith and Inspector Kido have consciences. The weight of the alternative world: John Smith has had a lot to contemplate throughout The Man In The High Castle (Photo: Amazon Prime) And it does this compellingly.īoth men will do anything to try and avert renewed war, and over the course of the drama we see them taking considerable risks to ensure that shady internal conspiracies – which would lead to catastrophic conflict and loss of life between their respective States – are not allowed to take hold. The show frequently frames Smith and Kido as agents of order against chaos. Symbols of oppression, who imprison, torture and kill with the aim of protecting the apparatus that keeps both empires wielding tyrannical power.Īnd yet, as The Man in the High Castle progresses, some of our black-and-white assumptions break down. They are both harsh agents of their respective States. These worlds just might hold brighter possibilities, reflective of their own desires and regrets.īy contrast, Obergruppenführer Smith and his Japanese counterpart, Inspector Kido, are far less apparently relatable. Juliana has the ability to empathise with almost everybody, regardless of who they are, or where they come from.įor these reasons, it is directly implied they are the two people in the drama most able to see into and experience The Man in the High Castle’s alternative realities (this is after all, a sci-fi show – based on the work of Philip K Dick). ![]() They attempt to do the most humane thing, and treat others with kindness, decency and respect. Tagomi reacts with horror when a General suggests they transport radioactive materials in buses loaded with non-Japanese civilians. Juliana has emerged as one of the truly ‘good’ characters (Photo: Amazon) In an alternative 1960s society where the Nazi Reich and Japanese Empire won World War II, and the US is ruled by these ruthless powers, The Man in the High Castle presents a world where the enforced norms and values of everyday society are so dark and dystopian that the very nature of morality itself is twisted beyond recognition.Īgainst this backdrop, it is no surprise that sorrow-eyed pacifists Juliana Crain and Trade Minister Tagomi are positioned as two of the most instantly sympathetic characters. ![]() And as the drama prepares to return for its third season in October, it is the show’s extraordinary ability to make us empathise with some of its monsters, and reveal their humanity, that remains so engaging. There does seem to be hope the story could be revisited in the future.But over time, Smith has begun to shift ever further from imposing villain to troubled anti-hero. Those kinds of endings do give viewers a sense of closure, all without completely closing the door on the characters that viewers have invested all of this time on. That is just my take, though, and could be way off the mark. As in, there may be a sense that the characters’ stories are far from over when the credits roll on the final episode. However, it does not sound as though it will be a close-ended one. While Isa Dick Hackett mentions fans being “satisfied” with the conclusion, David Zucker referred to the final season as not being an “absolute culmination.” It does seem as though fans can hope for a conclusion, though. ![]() As for the finale, that is where things get interesting. He mentions the potential of a film incarnation alongside TV. Mentioning what stories could come after the series’ finale, he muses that they may get a chance to be told in the future.īased on what David Zucker expressed, he is also open to the possibility that if those stories are told via continuations, they may not take place in a strictly televised format. While The Man in the High Castle may be over, it sounds as though its executive producers feel there is more to explore in the world of the series. However, I don’t think you can look at this as an absolute culmination because of the nature of the stories that we’re telling with that. Whether or not we all get to tell them or they get told in another incarnation in film and television, that’s for us to all see. While we’re bringing this chapter to a conclusion, if one thinks beyond the final frames of this series, it is very provocative to think about what stories may come thereafter. I think Isa and I both feel that there is a lot more story to tell in this kind of world.
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