Amazon dropped its latest batch of pilots last month. One of them, The Man in The High Castle, is certainly different than most shows on any service, simply because of its source material. Based off the novel by the same name by Phillip K. Dick, The Man in The High Castle shows us a world where the Axis Powers won World War II. It specifically focuses on a post-war America in 1962. Viewers are shown two different parts of the country, one half ruled by Germany, and the other by Japan. Various characters are introduced and as the episode goes on, we get to see how their stories intertwine.
I found the pilot to be entertaining, albeit grim. But that’s what you would expect considering the inspiration for the material. So if you haven’t watched High Castle, expect racism along with some chilling reminders of the Holocaust. While the show is in the realm of fantasy, it certainly hit home for me, making me appreciative for how history really turned out.
Visually, the show is a nice pseudo-period piece, blending the styles of the time with what could have been. The wide shots of New York and San Francisco (ruled by Germany and Japan, respectively) also gave a distinct sense of culture clash. The sets and locations were also fascinating, as I felt like I was seeing another world. This was complemented by solid acting. Everyone who got screen time did a good job, especially the main characters, Julia Crain (Alexa Davalos from Chronicles of Riddick) and Joe Blake (Luke Kleintank). Julia in particular had a great scene where we only see her expression as she reacts to a film. I loved it as I desperately wanted to see what she was watching. When you finally do, you can’t help but wonder what the hell is going on.
Avoiding spoiler territory, that’s hands-down the strongest elements to The Man in The High Castle - the twists. The pilot has two biggies. The one I alluded to, which is actually pretty central to the plot, and the very ending of the episode. That alone made me almost scream in surprise and horror as the writers just drop a HUGE bomb shell and simply end the episode. It’s great television and I desperately want to see what happens next.
So I’m really hoping that we see the series picked up for a season. If it does, expect some dark stuff. The pilot certainly made me uncomfortable. But then, all you have to do is crack a history book to be reminded of the terrible things we’ve done to one another. And maybe that’s what I liked so much about The Man in The High Castle. It’s good entertainment and certainly fantasy, but real enough to have you thinking long after the credits roll. For that, The Man in The High Castle is something special.
Those familiar with Dick’s work will find familiar themes present – where you feel a bit of paranoia and question everything. The protagonists also have a hell of a fight, one I’m not certain they can win. But from the brief taste we’re given in the pilot, I found myself intrigued with the world and characters, wanting to see more.
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