The Man in the High Castle
Dec. 22nd, 2016 08:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
scripsiWe finished The Man in the High Castle, season 2, yesterday, and both my husband and I feel a bit shaken. It’s an amazing show and I can’t recommend it enough.
I was actually quite upset over Thomas fate, probably, I eventually realised, because I have a son the same age as him. It was not hard to put myself in Helen’s place and imagine her pain.
But, ultimately, the reason Thomas decided to be killed was because she and John raised him into believing he had not right to live if he wasn’t a perfect physical specimen. Even if Helen and John realise they love their son too much to kill him in the name of ideology, and even if they feel they can put themselves outside the law and protect him, they fail to understand one thing: That Thomas himself will see himself as unworthy to love and go to his death proud over his decision. To completely disregard that he is a bright, intelligent human being who would still be able to use his brain, even if his body fails him.
I’ve read some criticism that the show whitewash the Nazi’s or make them into good guys. I disagree. I think it makes them and their ideology even more frightening because they aren’t all pitch black monster. Human’s aren’t one note, not even fascists. The moments you feel sympathy for Helen and John, only serves to make their actions and believes even more scary. And I think it’s very clear that both the Pacific States and the Reich are oppressive countries to live in, with little regards for human lives, even if they aren't’ exactly the same.
This season, even more than the first, belong to Rufus Sewell. He has always been a favourite of mine, ever since I saw Middlemarch some 20 years ago. He isn’t bad in that one, very good-looking and smouldering, but his acting has still improved a lot since then. I don’t think I know of any other actor who can express so much with just his eyes. I went from feeling sorry for him to scared in the matter of minutes.
I hope there will be a third season, even if this series wrapped up pretty well. The Nazis and Japanese has reached a balance of terror and Juliana has found her sister. But there is plenty of material for another season, not the least the uprising of the Resistance. And I want to know what will happen to the character.
I’m pretty sure John and Helen’s marriage is over. It was the moment she threw “genetic defect” in his face. I think we can be fairly certain Thomas will die as his father is in Berlin and can’t intervene, and I think Helen will crack. I suspect she will take her daughters and leave him, making him find a place for them where no one will kill the girls if they are ill as well. And I would like to find out more to why John Smith becomes such a high ranking Nazist. The season ended with the likelihood of him getting even more power and I wonder what his endgame is.
I wonder if Frank is dead, or not. Personally I feel his character arc came to an end when he went on a suicide mission, and wouldn’t mind if he is gone. If he isn’t, I think he will end up leading the Resistance, though. I’m also glad the Yakuza angle seems to be finished. I enjoyed Ed and Childan’s budding friendship, though.
Juliana is clearly the heroine of the show, and I do like her, but in my mind it’s Tagomi who is the real hero. He s the only character who consistently work to save lives without sacrificing other people- and succeeds. He has the chance of a new life with his family, but decides to go back to save San Francisco without knowing if he will be able to come back. I thought it quite fitting Juliana is his daughter-in-law in the other reality. I hope he will be able to get back there eventually. Chief Inspector Kido remains an intriguing character too and one I would like to see more of. I’d like to see him interact more with John Smith because I thought they had an interesting chemistry. John SMith and Juliana too, even if that seems unlikely right now.
What I liked least with this season was the character of Joe’s father. He went from villain to the devoted father Joe had always longed for to an even blacker villain. It worked, sort of, but felt rather rushed. Also, Joe is a tool. He is right when he accuses John Smith of being a manipulative bastard, but Joe, my boy- you are very easy to manipulate. What about growing a backbone and your own morals instead of being an ethical chameleon? I don’t much care for Juliana/Joe, even if the show seems to push for it.
I was actually quite upset over Thomas fate, probably, I eventually realised, because I have a son the same age as him. It was not hard to put myself in Helen’s place and imagine her pain.
But, ultimately, the reason Thomas decided to be killed was because she and John raised him into believing he had not right to live if he wasn’t a perfect physical specimen. Even if Helen and John realise they love their son too much to kill him in the name of ideology, and even if they feel they can put themselves outside the law and protect him, they fail to understand one thing: That Thomas himself will see himself as unworthy to love and go to his death proud over his decision. To completely disregard that he is a bright, intelligent human being who would still be able to use his brain, even if his body fails him.
I’ve read some criticism that the show whitewash the Nazi’s or make them into good guys. I disagree. I think it makes them and their ideology even more frightening because they aren’t all pitch black monster. Human’s aren’t one note, not even fascists. The moments you feel sympathy for Helen and John, only serves to make their actions and believes even more scary. And I think it’s very clear that both the Pacific States and the Reich are oppressive countries to live in, with little regards for human lives, even if they aren't’ exactly the same.
This season, even more than the first, belong to Rufus Sewell. He has always been a favourite of mine, ever since I saw Middlemarch some 20 years ago. He isn’t bad in that one, very good-looking and smouldering, but his acting has still improved a lot since then. I don’t think I know of any other actor who can express so much with just his eyes. I went from feeling sorry for him to scared in the matter of minutes.
I hope there will be a third season, even if this series wrapped up pretty well. The Nazis and Japanese has reached a balance of terror and Juliana has found her sister. But there is plenty of material for another season, not the least the uprising of the Resistance. And I want to know what will happen to the character.
I’m pretty sure John and Helen’s marriage is over. It was the moment she threw “genetic defect” in his face. I think we can be fairly certain Thomas will die as his father is in Berlin and can’t intervene, and I think Helen will crack. I suspect she will take her daughters and leave him, making him find a place for them where no one will kill the girls if they are ill as well. And I would like to find out more to why John Smith becomes such a high ranking Nazist. The season ended with the likelihood of him getting even more power and I wonder what his endgame is.
I wonder if Frank is dead, or not. Personally I feel his character arc came to an end when he went on a suicide mission, and wouldn’t mind if he is gone. If he isn’t, I think he will end up leading the Resistance, though. I’m also glad the Yakuza angle seems to be finished. I enjoyed Ed and Childan’s budding friendship, though.
Juliana is clearly the heroine of the show, and I do like her, but in my mind it’s Tagomi who is the real hero. He s the only character who consistently work to save lives without sacrificing other people- and succeeds. He has the chance of a new life with his family, but decides to go back to save San Francisco without knowing if he will be able to come back. I thought it quite fitting Juliana is his daughter-in-law in the other reality. I hope he will be able to get back there eventually. Chief Inspector Kido remains an intriguing character too and one I would like to see more of. I’d like to see him interact more with John Smith because I thought they had an interesting chemistry. John SMith and Juliana too, even if that seems unlikely right now.
What I liked least with this season was the character of Joe’s father. He went from villain to the devoted father Joe had always longed for to an even blacker villain. It worked, sort of, but felt rather rushed. Also, Joe is a tool. He is right when he accuses John Smith of being a manipulative bastard, but Joe, my boy- you are very easy to manipulate. What about growing a backbone and your own morals instead of being an ethical chameleon? I don’t much care for Juliana/Joe, even if the show seems to push for it.
